Carlsberg Group has announced the launch of ‘Brewing Tomorrow’, its new framework for sustainability actions, which replaces the Danish brewer’s previous strategy, ‘Together Towards ZERO & Beyond’.
The updated strategy was prompted by Carlsberg’s acquisition of Britvic last year and is built around four pillars: Cutting Carbon, Protecting Nature, Inspiring Choice and Empowering People
It sets targets related to emissions reduction, changes to agricultural practices, packaging, water use, product development and workforce inclusion, across what it says is a ‘simpler and more actionable roadmap’. It also sees Carlsberg move from relative emissions reduction targets to absolute reduction targets across Scope 1, 2 and 3, which are aligned with SBTi requirements.
Britvic acquisition
As Carlsberg noted, the acquisition of Britvic saw it add close to 1 million tonnes of CO2e emissions to its value chain – a 16% increase – and create a more complex beverage portfolio, with close to a third (30%) now comprised of soft drinks.
This has led the firm to push out its target year for Brewing Tomorrow to 2032, while the group remains committed to achieving a net zero value chain by 2040.
‘Updating our focus’
“With Brewing Tomorrow, we are building on our learnings from the past, while updating our focus for the future,” said Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, VP, Group Sustainability & ESG, Carlsberg Group, and one of the participants in SustainabilityOnline’s recent Ambition Into Action report.
“The programme is embedded in our business: how we run our operations, how we engage across our value chain, how we develop our people, and how we create more choice across our expanding portfolio. It builds on decades of reducing our impacts, while supporting our business growth. I am proud of the journey we are on and cannot wait to bring it to life with colleagues and partners across the world.”
Carlsberg noted that it has a ‘strong track record’ of progress on sustainability, committing to SBTi targets back in 2017, eliminating coal from its production sites in 2022, and achieving a 8% reduction in absolute value chain emissions last year, compared to 2024.
Other achievements last year included reaching 51% recycled content in bottles and cans, the replenishment of 32% of water consumed at sites in priority high-risk areas (up from 16% in 2024), and achieving 34% of senior leadership roles held by women (up from 30%).
“Carlsberg is on an exciting journey,” added Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Carlsberg Group CEO. “We are evolving as a company, with a broader portfolio and a wider geographic presence. Brewing Tomorrow is our sustainability road map of action, built on strong performance in the recent years. The aim is clear: to drive impact and ensure Carlsberg is a future-ready business.” Read more here.
