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Carlsberg delivers on commitments to cut value chain emissions
The latest assessment of Carlsberg Group’s value chain carbon emissions confirms that Carlsberg has exceeded its 2022 target for reducing carbon emissions across the full value chain, from growing barley in the field to recycling of bottles and cans. Having targeted a 15% reduction versus 2015, it has since delivered a 16% reduction.
Lower-carbon solutions in malting processes, elimination of coal at Carlsberg's breweries, lower-carbon packaging, reduced energy consumption by fridges at bars and restaurants. These are some of the main drivers that have enabled Carlsberg Group to cut carbon emissions across the entire value chain between 2015 and 2022. Now, Carlsberg Group can confirm that it has achieved a 16% reduction in relative value chain emissions per hectolitre of beer produced (kg CO2e/hl) after finalising the new assessment which has been conducted in partnership with the independent consultancy Carbon Trust.
Jacob Aarup-Andersen, CEO, Carlsberg Group: "I am very pleased to see that Carlsberg is delivering on its commitments to cut carbon emissions. As the incoming CEO my ambition is to drive progress and with these solid results at the 2022 milestone, we are starting with a strong foot forward as we continue the decarbonisation journey towards 2030 and 2040. We still have a long way to go, especially in areas such as agriculture and packaging – within which we have committed to specific targets more recently. Delivering on these new targets is not going to be easy, but our success thus far gives me great confidence in our ability to follow through with concrete actions and results."
In absolute terms, the Carlsberg Group emits roughly 5.5 million tonnes of carbon (CO2e) through its entire value chain, and this absolute total has remained stable since 2015 (with a slight absolute reduction) while the business continued to grow. In relative terms the Carlsberg reduced emissions from 60 kg CO2e/hl in 2015 to 50 kg CO2e/hl in 2022.
All major steps of Carlsberg Group’s value chain contribute to the emissions reduction. Within agriculture and processing a 17% reduction has been achieved. At Carlsberg's breweries a 41%[1] reduction has been achieved, and within packaging, distribution and cooling emissions have been reduced by 8%, 4%, and 19% respectively.
Victor Shevtsov, EVP Integrated Supply Chain, Carlsberg: "I am very proud of the progress we have made towards a ZERO Carbon Footprint by reducing our emissions in line with our promises. When we launched our Together Towards ZERO programme in 2017, we were among the first to introduce science-based climate targets aligned with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Fast forward to just a few years later, and we are now part of a greater movement of companies that have set ambitious targets to decarbonise their operations and their value chains. I am thrilled to see colleagues and suppliers reducing our joint impact every day – we are gaining momentum towards ZERO, together with our value chain partners and industry peers."
Carlsberg Group has achieved relative emissions reductions in all regions. In Asia relative emissions were reduced by 21%, in Western Europe relative emissions were reduced by 17%, and in Central and Eastern Europe relative emissions were reduced by 12%.
