The UK’s brewing sector launched a roadmap to net zero carbon emissions on Monday ahead of the COP26 climate change summit which kicks off in Glasgow next week.
The roadmap was launched at the Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow, Led by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), Zero Carbon Forum and Carbon Architecture.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “As a sector that takes sustainability seriously, we are delighted to work with Zero Carbon Forum and Carbon Architecture to launch this brewing specific roadmap, which provides British brewers with a clear pathway to a net zero, green future.”
A Hospitality Roadmap to Net Zero was launched by Zero Carbon Forum on 19 October. This latest pledge, created specifically for brewers, will be distinct in recognising the unique challenges of brewing as a key part of UK food and drink manufacturing.
“Brewing is distinct from the wider hospitality sector and is a key part of food and drink manufacturing across the UK, so requires a bespoke roadmap for reaching net zero,” McClarkin said.
“Using this roadmap, brewers can continue their great work to date in reducing their environmental footprint and support the roadmap for the wider hospitality sector in reaching net zero.”
Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “I am delighted to see the publication of the Brewing Sector Roadmap. It will help businesses decarbonise and set strategies which support our commitment that Scotland will reach net zero by 2045.
“It is particularly appropriate that the roadmap is launched in Glasgow shortly before the COP26 Summit, which provides an opportunity for Scotland to demonstrate its world leading climate action.”
In accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Account and Reporting Standard, the roadmap has been broken down into three ‘scopes’ for reporting purposes.
Scopes one and two of the roadmap, which focus on direct and indirect emissions from operations, outline the ambition for brewers to reach net zero by 2030. Scope three, which focusses on indirect emissions from supply chains, details the ambition brewers should reach by 2040.