AB InBev announces ambitious environmental goals

From Flanders Today: The world’s largest brewer, Leuven-based AB InBev, has launched the 100+ Sustainability Accelerator to meet a number of ambitious environmental goals by 2025. “Climate change is the most pressing issue confronting our planet,” said CEO Carlos Brito.

The commitment to the environmental goals “will have a wide-reaching impact that includes connecting thousands of farmers to technologies and skills, ensuring water access and quality in high-stress communities, partnering with our suppliers to increase recycling content and adding renewable electricity capacity to regional grids,” said the company in a statement.

AB Inbev, the brewer of Belgian beers such as Stella Artois, Jupiler and Leffe, as well as some 40 international labels including Budweiser, Corona and Beck’s, has breweries on six continents. It brews more than 45 billion litres of beer worldwide every year.

“We are committed to supporting a healthy environment and strong communities,” said Brito. Climate change could impact the natural resources we rely on to brew our high-quality beers. More than ever, we see an opportunity to use sustainability as a catalyst for innovation.”

The company’s sustainability goals include:

Smart agriculture: Financially empower farmers and connect them with the skills and technologies they need
Water stewardship: Improve availability of water and water quality in high-stress areas
Circular packaging: 100% of packaging will either be made from recycled material or be recyclable, or both
Climate action: All of electricity will be generated from renewable resources, which will result in a 25% reduction of CO2 emissions across the value chain

The brewer simutaneously launched the 100+ Sustainability Accelerator, which aims to solve 100-plus challenges by 2025. It will announce the challenges at different points in the future. The first set of challenges will be announced in June, the company said.

“Our 2025 Sustainability Goals and 100+ Accelerator will complement each other,” said Brito, “providing solutions for environmental and social challenges so we can build a company to last for the next 100-plus years.”

Photo: Peter Bocklandt/GETTY