UK – The brewing industry in the UK has attained 42%  reduction in total CO2 emissions in the last decade, representing a reduction of 202,952 tonnes- according to new research conducted by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

The research also found that during the 10-year period (2008-2028) the energy used to brew a pint of beer in the UK reduced by 20% while the water required to brew one hectolitre of beer has also reduced to an average of just 3.5 hectolitres.

Separate data from the Environment Agency acquired by the BBPA also found that UK breweries now recover and re-use 98% of their waste.

The research, published in a new report by the BBPA, called Brewing Green: A Greener Future for British Beer & Pubs’, comes as the UK’s brewing and pub sectors begin setting their next sustainability targets to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

According to the report, all pub operators surveyed by the BBPA stated that reducing food waste and improving energy efficiency was important or very important to them.

In terms of food waste all pubs surveyed said they had trained staff on how to reduce food waste, with 86% now offering smaller portion sizes to customers to help further reduce waste.

In addition, 83% of pub operators surveyed said they used insulated cellars in their pubs to reduce energy consumption while 71% noted that they had smart meters installed in their pubs.

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of BBPA said: “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.

“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.”

Kristin Wolfe, Legal & Corporate Affairs Director at Molson Coors UK & Ireland, underscored the role of brewers in helping to create a more sustainable future.

“We have always taken seriously our responsibility to brew sustainably and Our Beer Print 2025 sustainability targets are a testament to that commitment,” Kristin said.

“We recently updated these targets with our new global packaging goals to reduce plastic in our packaging, which include our pledge in the UK to remove plastic from the packaging of our Carling and Coors Light brands by April 2021”

David Paterson, Corporate Affairs Director, Heineken, also affirmed that the company is working to reduce CO2, water and single use plastics.

“We embed sustainability across our entire value chain at Heineken from growing the barley and apples that go into our beers and ciders, to working with our customers and licensees to serve a great quality pint as sustainably as possible.”