Large brewers often set the pace for sustainability across the industry. When a company the size of Carlsberg updates its ESG strategy, it offers valuable insight into where brewing sustainability is heading.
Carlsberg recently launched Brewing Tomorrow, an updated ESG programme designed to reduce its environmental impact while supporting long-term business growth. The strategy builds on its previous sustainability roadmap but adapts to a changing business landscape — particularly following its 2025 acquisition of Britvic, which expanded the company’s portfolio to include a much larger soft drinks category.
While the scale of Carlsberg’s operations may be far beyond most breweries, several aspects of the strategy highlight important lessons for brewers of all sizes.
1. Sustainability Strategies Need to Evolve with the Business
One of the key reasons Carlsberg updated its ESG strategy was the acquisition of Britvic. The deal added nearly one million tonnes of CO₂e emissions to the company’s value chain — an increase of around 16%.
Rather than ignoring the change, Carlsberg adjusted its sustainability roadmap to reflect the new reality of its operations. The company extended its interim target year from 2030 to 2032, while maintaining its longer-term goal of reaching net zero across its value chain by 2040.
For brewers, the takeaway is clear: sustainability strategies cannot remain static. As businesses grow, diversify, or expand into new markets, climate targets and ESG priorities may need to evolve as well.
2. Scope 3 Emissions Are a Major Focus
Like most food and beverage companies, the majority of Carlsberg’s emissions sit within its value chain, rather than its direct operations.
Brewing Tomorrow introduces updated Scope 3 reduction targets aligned with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requirements, alongside a goal to reduce value chain emissions by 31% by 2032.
For brewers, this highlights the growing importance of working beyond the brewery itself. Agricultural inputs, packaging, logistics, and retail all contribute to overall emissions.
Addressing Scope 3 emissions often means collaborating with suppliers and partners — particularly when it comes to raw materials and packaging.
3. Regenerative Agriculture Is Moving Up the Agenda
Carlsberg is placing a stronger emphasis on regenerative agriculture, increasing its target for sourcing raw materials grown using regenerative practices from 30% to 50%.
Barley is a key ingredient in beer production, and agricultural practices can have a significant environmental impact. Regenerative farming approaches aim to improve soil health, reduce chemical inputs, and support biodiversity.
In 2025, Carlsberg sourced 27,600 tonnes of barley grown using regenerative principles, doubling the volume from the previous year. The company also expanded pilot programmes across several European countries.
For brewers, this signals a wider industry shift toward closer collaboration with farmers and agricultural suppliers.
4. Packaging Innovation Continues to Be a Priority
Packaging remains one of the most visible and impactful sustainability challenges in the beverage sector.
Carlsberg’s new strategy introduces a goal for 100% recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging by 2032, alongside continued efforts to increase recycled content in bottles and cans.
In fact, the company achieved 51% recycled content in its packaging in 2025, surpassing its previous 2030 target five years ahead of schedule.
For brewers, improving packaging sustainability can involve multiple approaches, including increasing recycled content, exploring reusable formats, or improving recycling infrastructure.
5. Renewable Energy Still Plays a Central Role
Operational emissions are often easier for breweries to control than value chain emissions.
Carlsberg reported that 90% of its electricity came from renewable sources in 2025, supported by new power purchase agreements in Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
For breweries, switching to renewable electricity — either through green tariffs, on-site generation, or power purchase agreements — remains one of the most effective ways to reduce operational emissions.
6. Sustainability Is Being Integrated Across the Business
Carlsberg’s updated programme is built around four pillars:
- Cutting carbon
- Protecting nature
- Inspiring choice
- Empowering people
This reflects a broader shift in ESG strategies, where sustainability is no longer limited to environmental initiatives but increasingly integrated across product development, supply chains, and company culture.
The company has also introduced new targets for sugar reduction in its soft drinks portfolio and continued expanding no- and low-alcohol options, which now represent 31% of global sales.
For brewers, this highlights how sustainability strategies are expanding beyond environmental issues alone to include consumer health, product innovation, and responsible consumption.
The Bigger Picture for the Brewing Industry
Carlsberg’s Brewing Tomorrow programme demonstrates how sustainability is becoming deeply embedded within the brewing industry.
While not every brewery will operate at the same scale, the themes emerging from Carlsberg’s strategy — reducing value chain emissions, working more closely with agricultural suppliers, improving packaging, and integrating sustainability across the business — are likely to shape the sector in the years ahead.
For brewers, the takeaway is less about replicating Carlsberg’s exact targets and more about understanding the direction of travel for sustainability in the industry.
