AB InBev Pledges 15% Carbon Emissions Cut in Logistics

Anheuser-Busch InBev today pledged to reduce the company’s carbon emissions in logistics operations by 15 percent by the end of 2017 against a 2013 baseline.

The company estimates that collective logistics improvements could result in up to $200 million in savings by the end of 2017.

The new goal includes inbound transportation, outbound transportation and warehousing. In terms of outbound transportation, the reduction represents about 230,000 tons of carbon emissions in total.

A series of new initiatives aims to reduce transportation and logistics-related energy consumption. This includes the use of alternative fuels, smart driving tools and trucks designed to maximize efficiency. AB InBev says it will continue to drive collaboration with its supply chain partners to expand proven best practices like shared transportation programs already in place in the US and Brazil.

In addition to the new global logistics target, AB InBev also reported progress on the global environmental goals that it aims to achieve by the end of 2017.

Water Management

1.    Reduce water risks and improve water management in 100 percent of key barley growing regions in partnership with local stakeholders.

• Pilot programmes are underway in key regions.

2.    Engage in watershed protection measures at facilities located in in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Mexico, Peru and the United States, in partnership with local stakeholders.

• Started in 20 percent of the company’s facilities.

3.    Reduce global water usage to 3.2 hectoliters of water per hectoliter of production.

• Reduced water use ratio to 3.35 hectoliters of water per hectoliter of production, which amounted to a 5.2 percent reduction over the previous year.

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

4.    Reduce global greenhouse gas emissions per hectoliter of production by 10 percent, including a 15 percent reduction per hectoliter in China.

• Achieved a 3.1 percent reduction globally, and an 8.8 percent reduction in China.

5.    Reduce global energy usage per hectoliter of production by 10 percent.

• Achieved a 3.4 percent reduction in the first year.

6.    Reach a 70 percent global average of eco-friendly cooler purchases annually.

• Reached a 16.3 percent average in 2013.

Materials and Recycling

7.    Reduce packaging materials by 100,000 tons.

• Achieved a reduction of 48,000 tons.

Earlier this year AB InBev and other members of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) published a document that establishes a common framework for greenhouse gas emissions reporting — an industry first, the companies say.