Early in 2011 Carlsberg UK, as part of a general effort to reduce carbon emissions from their activities, calculated what is called the carbon footprint of key beverages. This would make it possible to more efficiently determine where to make an extra effort to reduce emissions.
One of the main conclusions of this analysis came as something of a surprise: While there are many steps that can be taken by Carlsberg UK alone, it was clear that a large proportion of the products’ carbon footprint is related to the production and distribution of the products bought from suppliers.
From this key finding Carlsberg UK set about developing an initiative to engage with suppliers on product-related carbon emissions as well as wider environmental topics. This resulted in the programme Carlsberg Environmental Community.
Through 2011 and into 2012, Carlsberg UK continues to invite some of its biggest suppliers to join the Community, and work in partnership on ways to reduce carbon in the supply chain.
In fact the UK experience will serve as a pilot programme for the entire Carlsberg Group, and what is learned from the UK experience will serve as a basis for designing the same type of programme in other markets.
Creating this overview of emission sources has also made it possible to target decisions on Carlsberg UK’s own activities. This has already had an impressive effect: In 2011 Carlsberg UK achievev a 22% reduction in carbon emissions when compared to 2010.
This dedicated effort to reduce carbon emissions is testament to the Carlsberg Group’s genuine commitment to play a part in putting a brake on climate change.