The Carlsberg Group has launched its new programme for environmental protection, social responsibility and conscientious corporate governance (ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance) under the name Together Towards Zero and Beyond. This programme represents the advancement of Carlsberg’s existing strategy, the new edition of which contains updated targets and new focus areas
The new strategy defines a roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 across the Carlsberg Group’s entire value chain, from barley in the fields to beer in the hand. The previous Together Towards ZERO programme has already brought significant advances, such as in the reducing of carbon emissions by 40% and reducing water consumption per hectolitre of beer by 21% since 2015.
By launching the new programme, Carlsberg has also mapped out other important topics on its road to 2030, or 2040, thus raising the level of ambition and strengthening company targets related to water use, the responsible consumption of alcohol, diversity, inclusion, equality and human rights.
“TTZAB is an integral part of delivering on our purpose of brewing for a better today and tomorrow. Whilst we remain committed to the focus areas that we established in 2017, we have expanded the programme to include a wider array of ESG topics and to address the societal challenges impacting people and communities where we operate.
With our new programme, we are building on our existing progress and reaffirming our commitment to the collective action needed to stop the excessive increases in emissions the world is facing. We want to enable consumers to enjoy a great beer while leaving the smallest carbon footprint possible. To do this, we leave no stone unturned, from the grain and water that we brew with, to the recycling of empty bottles and cans once you’ve enjoyed your beer. This is the right thing to do, for our business and society,” said Carlsberg Group CEO Cees ‘t Hart.
Thanks to this new programme, Carlsberg will retain its focus on areas where the company operates the most. However, we will also go further as a group, bolstering initiatives linked to responsible sourcing, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, while at the same time protecting human rights and ensuring compliance through the Living By Our Compass programme. Besides achieving net zero carbon emissions across the entire value chain, the Carlsberg company also wants to direct its ambitions towards responsible alcohol consumption and responsible use of water. The goal is for the company’s share of alcohol-free and low-alcohol beverages to represent 35% of Carlsberg’s total global portfolio by 2030, as well as the replenishment of 100% of water consumed at breweries located in areas of high water risk.
NEW ZEROS
With this new programme, the Carlsberg Group has also set new targets to achieve a ZERO agricultural footprint and ZERO packaging waste. The carbon footprint currently associated with agriculture and the processing of raw materials, as well as with the production and disposal of packaging, amounts to more than 65% of total emissions in the complete life cycle of beer.
The implementation of regenerative agricultural practises – which have a positive impact on biodiversity, soil health and natural carbon sequestration on farmland – alongside the implementation of circular packaging solutions, will enable dramatic carbon reduction, from growing barley to recycling bottles and cans.
The company’s activities in pursuit of its new ambitions are additionally supported by scientific findings that are aligned with the target of preventing the warming of the planet from exceeding 1.5°C, as outlined by the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as by the company’s inclusion in the RE100, the We Mean Business Coalition, the Race To Zero, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and the WFA’s Planet Pledge.
