The UK brewing industry has revealed a drastic 42% cut in carbon emissions over the past decade according to the latest report by the Brewing Green 2019 report from the The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
Emissions have fallen from 487,146 tonnes in 2008 to 284,194 tonnes in 2018. In addition to this boost to the industry’s green credentials, UK brewers now recover an impressive 98% of their waste. The figures on waste recovered have jumped from 71% in 2006 to 98% in 2018.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds
Another impressive statistic is a massive reduction in the quantity of water required to make each hectolitre of beer. Whereas in 1992 on average beer production required nearly 7 hectolitres of water for one hectolitre of beer, by 2017 this ratio had been cut to just 3.5 hectolitres of water.
These statistics are all averages based on data collected from the BBPA’s members who account for more than 90% of all beer produced in the UK by volume.
“Britain’s brewing and pub sectors are amongst the oldest and most revered around the world. To maintain this reputation, we must brew our beer and serve our pub-goers in a sustainable way”, commented the Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, Brigid Simmonds.
“From reducing emissions to lowering waste, Britain’s breweries and pubs are determined to be world leaders in environmental sustainability and meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
Other initiatives taken by the UK beer industry to boost their sustainability credentials include the brewing of beer from waste products such as Toast Ale’s brews made with leftover bread and changes to packaging by Adnams, Diageo and AB InBev.
