The Carlsberg Group has committed to eliminating carbon emissions and halving water usage at its breweries by 2030 as part of its new sustainability programme – Together Towards ZERO. An intermediate step includes the exclusive use of renewable electricity at its breweries by 2022.
Together Towards ZERO is a response to increasing consumer demand for sustainable products in a time of global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and public health issues. The programme is an integral part of the Carlsberg Group’s SAIL’22 strategy and consists of four major ambitions – ZERO carbon footprint, ZERO water waste, ZERO irresponsible drinking and a ZERO accidents culture – each with individual and measurable targets.
Together Towards ZERO has been developed in partnership with leading global experts using a science-based approach. It is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and sets out to deliver emission reductions that go beyond the base level of ambition set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change.
ZERO carbon footprint
Climate change is one of the world’s most pressing issues and, as recognised in the Paris Agreement on climate change, businesses need to take action. The Carlsberg Group has worked with Carbon Trust, the independent not-for-profit expert, to set science-based targets for emission reductions at a level that would contribute to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the higher level of ambition contained within the Paris Agreement.
The Group is targeting ZERO carbon emissions at its breweries by 2030 and 100% use of renewable electricity at its breweries by 2022. Through the Carlsberg Circular Community, the Carlsberg Group is also engaging partners along the value chain to reduce beer-in-hand emissions1 by 30% by 2030.
ZERO water waste
Today, there are too many areas of the world in which water is not being managed optimally, and water scarcity is a major concern. Working with experts from WWF, Carlsberg has identified breweries situated in areas with a high-risk of water scarcity and developed targets to support the ambition of ZERO water waste.
The new targets include halving brewery water usage by 2030 and working with partners to improve water management in high-risk areas around selected breweries.
ZERO irresponsible drinking
The misuse of alcohol and irresponsible behaviour such as drink driving and underage drinking must be prevented. It is often the result of a complex combination of societal and individual factors, and Carlsberg is working with a committee of international health and behavioural scientific experts to define actions that support consumers in making healthy, responsible choices.
The new targets include offering 100% distribution of alcohol-free beer by 2022 to expand consumer choice, providing responsible drinking messaging and nutritional information online as well as on packaging, and forming partnerships to encourage responsible consumption.
ZERO accidents culture
Work-related accidents are unacceptable, and employee health and safety always comes first. Carlsberg is working across its organisation, from production to sales and admin, to prevent accidents and build a ZERO accidents culture.
The new targets include a year-on-year reduction in the accident rate in order to achieve the ambition of ZERO accidents. The ambitions and actions are driven by the Carlsberg Group’s purpose of brewing for a better today and tomorrow, and the Group will continue to work together with leading global experts to achieve the bold targets.
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