How Breweries Cut Emissions with Net Zero Consulting

Breweries are best known for their beer — but more and more are gaining recognition for something else: their leadership on sustainability.

With rising energy costs, growing environmental expectations from consumers, and new carbon reporting rules on the horizon, breweries are increasingly recognising that reducing emissions can be a smart business move.

At Switch2Zero, we help small and mid-sized businesses turn sustainability from a daunting to-do list into a real commercial opportunity. And we’ve seen this happen first-hand with brewers like Pillars Brewery, who are taking practical, credible steps toward net zero — without getting buried in complexity.
 

Why Emissions Matter for Breweries

Breweries are energy-intensive by nature. From heating and cooling to cleaning and refrigeration, running a brewery depends heavily on fuel and electricity — and that means carbon emissions are part of the daily operations.

Most of these emissions fall under Scope 1 and 2 — the ones businesses can directly control, like gas used on-site or electricity from the grid.

The upside? These are also the easiest areas to take action. Reducing emissions here is often simpler than expected — and can lead to meaningful cost savings right away.

That’s why we start with Scope 1 and 2. They're the low-hanging fruit — and the foundation of a credible, achievable net zero plan.

Scope 3 emissions, such as those from suppliers or distributors, are important too. But they come later in the journey. By focusing first on what’s in your control, you build momentum, confidence, and real results.

A Simple, Fast Approach to Net Zero Planning

We know that small teams don’t have time to wade through sustainability jargon or commit to months-long audits. Our net zero consultancy offering is designed to be fast, focused, and easy to implement — with real commercial value built in.

Here’s how it works:

1. We measure what matters.
   Using the globally recognised GHG Protocol, we calculate a verified carbon footprint based on Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This gives breweries a clear, credible picture of where they stand — and where to focus first.
2. We build a practical plan.
   Our team identifies low-effort, high-impact ways to reduce emissions — often things that also cut costs, like optimising energy use or switching to renewables. The goal: fast progress without the overwhelm.
3. We help you tell the story.
   From personalised impact pages to live carbon-saving widgets, we provide the tools to help breweries confidently communicate their sustainability journey — and win trust with buyers, customers, and partners.
    

The Pillars Brewery Journey

Pillars Brewery — a craft lager brewery based in East London — came to Switch2Zero with a clear aim: to start measuring and managing their carbon impact in a meaningful way.

Over just a few weeks, we helped them calculate their carbon footprint, assess their current activity, and lay the groundwork for a future-facing net zero plan. Our process made it easier for them to see which areas of the business could be improved — and where sustainable choices could support their long-term goals.

“The process was clear and simple. It made us think about areas of the business we could improve and how to present ourselves to our customers.”
– Pillars Brewery

As part of the process, Pillars gained access to a suite of ready-to-use social assets and a downloadable reports — making it easy to share their progress with customers, partners, and stakeholders in a clear, credible way.

Why Sustainability Makes Business Sense for Brewers

At Switch2Zero, we believe sustainability shouldn’t be a cost centre — it should be a growth driver. We work with businesses to help them reduce emissions in ways that are good for the environment and the bottom line.

For breweries, this can mean lower energy bills, a stronger pitch in B2B and retail conversations, more appeal to climate-conscious customers — and getting ahead of the regulations that are coming fast.

And just as importantly? Feeling proud of the business you're building.

Thinking of taking the first step?

Whether you're brewing beer or running a growing SME in another sector, we’ll help you get a practical, profitable plan together — in under 8 weeks.

👉 Book a free consultation and discover how sustainability can drive real commercial value in your business.
 

Sustainability isn’t just about ticking boxes. Done right, it’s a smarter way to grow. Let’s make it work for your business.