Budweiser is launching a new initiative to communicate its commitment to sustainability to consumers and kickstart an industry-wide movement. The AB InBev brand has created a renewable electricity symbol that indicates when its beer is brewed with 100 percent clean energy.
Budweiser is launching a new initiative to communicate its commitment to sustainability to consumers and kickstart an industry-wide movement. The AB InBev brand has created a renewable electricity symbol that indicates when its beer is brewed with 100 percent clean energy.
The symbol will begin appearing on the label of every Budweiser brewed in the US in spring 2018. The US will be the first country where the brand’s beer is brewed exclusively using renewable power sources. Budweiser will source its electricity from the Ranch Wind Farm in Oklahoma, which is powered by Enel Green Power. The label will then roll out to additional markets as Budweiser brewing operations achieve 100 percent renewable electricity.
Around 41 million Budweisers are sold every day around the world. Budweiser’s decision to use renewable power across its brewing operations is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 400,000 tons annually.
“We know that climate change is an important issue for consumers. However, they aren’t sure how their everyday actions make a difference,” said Brian Perkins, Global VP at Budweiser. “The renewable electricity symbol helps consumers make smarter everyday choices that can have a positive, meaningful impact.”
But the symbol isn’t just for Budweiser products — the brewer is inviting other brands to adopt the symbol to help build a movement to celebrate renewable electricity as a way to tackle climate change. The company is currently working alongside Accenture and a number of NGOs to develop a process and guidelines to encourage other brands to adopt the symbol on any product that is made using 100 percent renewable electricity.
“We’re proud to work with Budweiser on this innovative ambition. We know that consumers are key to a sustainable economy, and we encourage other consumer goods brands to celebrate their own journeys to renewable electricity,” said Peter Lacy, Senior Managing Director of Growth, Strategy & Sustainability at Accenture Strategy.
Speaking on behalf of the RE100, a group of companies committed to 100 percent renewable power, Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group, said: “Leading companies know it makes business sense to switch to renewables and cut greenhouse emissions. But to deliver on the Paris Agreement, we need to go further and faster. I am delighted to see that Budweiser is taking a leading position on renewable electricity in the US as part of parent company AB InBev’s commitment to going 100 percent renewable globally through the RE100 campaign.”
Published Jan 26, 2018 6am EST / 3am PST / 11am GMT / 12pm CET