Carlsberg Group has unveiled a refreshed version of its global sustainability strategy, “Brewing Tomorrow,” introducing new climate commitments, expanded environmental targets, and a broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) roadmap designed to reflect the company’s evolving beverage portfolio.

The revised programme comes at a pivotal moment for the Danish brewer. Following its 2025 acquisition of British soft drinks company Britvic, Carlsberg significantly expanded its geographic footprint and diversified its product portfolio. Soft drinks now account for around 30 percent of the company’s beverage portfolio, marking a notable shift for a group historically known primarily for beer.

But the acquisition also had another impact: it increased the company’s value chain emissions by nearly one million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, representing a 16 percent rise in total emissions across its operations and supply chain.

Rather than scaling back its climate commitments in response to the larger emissions footprint, Carlsberg has chosen to strengthen its sustainability ambitions.

The updated Brewing Tomorrow programme introduces absolute emissions reduction targets across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) — widely regarded as the global benchmark for corporate climate targets.

At the same time, the brewer reaffirmed its long-term goal of achieving a net-zero value chain by 2040, signalling that sustainability will remain central to the company’s long-term growth strategy.

“Carlsberg is on an exciting journey. We are evolving as a company, with a broader portfolio and a wider geographic presence,” said Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Chief Executive Officer of Carlsberg Group.

“Brewing Tomorrow is our sustainability roadmap of action, built on strong performance in recent years. The aim is clear: to drive impact and ensure Carlsberg is a future-ready business.”

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A Simpler ESG Framework Built Around Four Strategic Pillars

One of the most visible changes in Carlsberg’s updated sustainability strategy is its simplified structure.

The programme is now built around four strategic pillars, each designed to address key environmental and social challenges facing the global beverage industry:

1. Cutting Carbon
2. Protecting Nature
3. Empowering People
4. Inspiring Choice

Together, these pillars form a framework that integrates climate action, resource management, consumer responsibility and workforce development into the company’s business strategy.

The aim, according to company executives, is to create a clearer and more operationally focused roadmap that aligns sustainability targets with business growth.

Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, Vice President for Group Sustainability and ESG at Carlsberg, explained that the updated programme builds on the company’s previous sustainability strategy, “Together Towards ZERO & Beyond.”

“With Brewing Tomorrow, we are building on our learnings from the past while updating our focus for the future,” Hoffmeyer said.

“The programme is embedded in our business: how we run our operations, how we engage across our value chain, how we develop our people, and how we create more choice across our expanding portfolio.”

The new framework also extends the timeline of key sustainability milestones from 2030 to 2032, reflecting the expanded emissions baseline created by the Britvic acquisition.

Despite this adjustment, the company insists that its net-zero value chain target for 2040 remains unchanged.

Moving from Relative to Absolute Emissions Reduction Targets

A major shift within the updated ESG strategy is Carlsberg’s move toward absolute emissions reduction targets.

Previously, many corporate climate strategies focused on relative emissions reductions — meaning emissions were reduced per unit of production.

While this approach can improve efficiency, it does not necessarily guarantee that total emissions decline if production volumes grow.

By adopting absolute emissions targets, Carlsberg commits to reducing its overall carbon footprint regardless of business expansion.

These targets now cover all major emissions categories:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from company operations
• Scope 2: Emissions from purchased electricity and energy
• Scope 3: Indirect emissions across the supply chain and product lifecycle

Scope 3 emissions typically represent the largest share of emissions for consumer goods companies, including agricultural inputs, packaging materials, logistics and product distribution.

Aligning these targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) ensures they are consistent with global climate pathways aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement.

Operational Progress in Renewable Energy and Emissions Reduction

The revised ESG roadmap builds on a number of sustainability milestones already achieved by the company.

Since 2024, Carlsberg has recorded significant progress in reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

The company reported:

• 12 percent reduction in emissions from production facilities
• 8 percent reduction in value chain emissions
• 90 percent of electricity sourced from renewable energy

Renewable energy procurement has accelerated through new power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed in Norway, Finland and Sweden.

These agreements increased the share of electricity sourced from new renewable energy assets to 19 percent, up from just 6 percent a year earlier.

Expanding renewable energy infrastructure is considered critical for companies seeking to decarbonise operations while maintaining production capacity.

Biomass Energy and Decarbonisation in Emerging Markets

Carlsberg’s sustainability initiatives are also expanding beyond its European operations.

In Laos, the company recently launched a biomass energy facility at the Vientiane Brewery, which now supplies more than 80 percent of the plant’s steam requirements using locally sourced biomass.

The project replaces fossil fuel-based energy sources and reduces emissions by approximately 15,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually.

Such projects highlight how multinational companies are increasingly pursuing localized decarbonisation strategies, particularly in emerging markets where renewable energy infrastructure may still be developing.

By integrating biomass and renewable energy into its operations, Carlsberg is demonstrating how industrial facilities can transition toward lower-carbon energy systems without compromising production efficiency.

Advancing Circular Packaging and Resource Efficiency

Packaging represents another major environmental challenge for the global beverage industry.

Glass bottles, aluminium cans and plastic packaging contribute significantly to supply chain emissions and resource consumption.

Carlsberg’s updated ESG strategy therefore places strong emphasis on circular packaging systems.

The company recently achieved 51 percent recycled content in bottles and cans, surpassing its original 2030 target of 50 percent recycled material five years ahead of schedule.

Under the updated Brewing Tomorrow programme, the company has now raised its ambition further.

The new target calls for 60 percent recycled content in bottles and cans, reflecting the company’s belief that circular packaging will become a central pillar of sustainable beverage production.

Carlsberg is also continuing efforts to reduce virgin fossil-based plastics by 50 percent, while maintaining its commitment to ensuring that 100 percent of packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable.

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Expanding Regenerative Agriculture in the Supply Chain

Agriculture plays a central role in Carlsberg’s supply chain, particularly through the sourcing of barley and other raw materials used in brewing.

The updated ESG strategy significantly increases the company’s ambitions for regenerative agriculture.

Carlsberg now aims to source 50 percent of its raw materials from regenerative agricultural practices by 2032, up from its previous target of 30 percent.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity and improve carbon sequestration.

The company has already begun pilot projects in several countries including:

• France
• Denmark
• Finland
• The United Kingdom

One example is a partnership involving Brasseries Kronenbourg in France, which will ensure that its 1664 Blonde beer is produced using 100 percent traceable barley malt grown with regenerative agricultural practices starting in 2026.

Strengthening Water Stewardship

Water is one of the most critical resources in brewing and beverage production.

Carlsberg has therefore expanded its focus on water stewardship, particularly in regions where water scarcity poses operational risks.

In 2025, the company replenished 32 percent of the water consumed at production sites located in high-risk water regions, doubling the 16 percent replenishment rate recorded the previous year.

The company also replenished 1.46 million cubic metres of water near production facilities in India, China and Cambodia.

Additionally, Carlsberg launched a partnership with Water.org, aimed at improving access to clean water for more than 112,000 people across the Ganges River Basin.

Such initiatives demonstrate how water management is increasingly integrated into corporate sustainability strategies.

Consumer Health and Responsible Drinking Initiatives

Under the Inspiring Choice pillar, Carlsberg is also focusing on product innovation and consumer awareness.

The company is expanding its portfolio of no- and low-alcohol beverages, which now account for 31 percent of global sales.

The company also continues to promote responsible alcohol consumption through marketing campaigns and partnerships across its global markets.

One particularly creative campaign emerged in Sweden, where Carlsberg introduced the world’s smallest alcohol-free beer — the size of a grain of rice — designed to spark conversation around moderation and responsible drinking.

The strategy reflects changing consumer preferences as more consumers seek healthier beverage options.

Workplace Inclusion and Safety Improvements

The Empowering People pillar focuses on workplace inclusion, employee wellbeing and leadership diversity.

Carlsberg reported that women now hold 34 percent of senior leadership roles, up from 30 percent the previous year.

The company aims to increase that figure to 42 percent by 2032, strengthening gender representation across leadership teams.

Workplace safety has also improved significantly.

The company reported a 16 percent reduction in lost-time injuries since 2024, and a 74 percent reduction since 2015.

These improvements reflect long-term investments in workplace safety culture and employee training.

A Strategic Response to Industry Transformation

The updated ESG strategy reflects broader changes underway across the global beverage industry.

Large beverage companies are increasingly expanding their portfolios to include soft drinks, low-alcohol beverages and alternative products.

At the same time, regulators and investors are placing growing pressure on companies to disclose and reduce Scope 3 emissions across complex global supply chains.

In response, corporate sustainability strategies are evolving from high-level commitments into detailed transition plans with measurable milestones.

Carlsberg’s first consolidated Climate Transition Plan accompanies the new Brewing Tomorrow programme, outlining how the company intends to reach its net-zero value chain goal by 2040.

Outlook:

Carlsberg’s updated Brewing Tomorrow strategy illustrates how sustainability has moved from the periphery of corporate strategy to the centre of business planning.

Climate targets, resource efficiency and workforce inclusion are increasingly shaping how multinational companies manage risk, innovation and long-term competitiveness.

For Carlsberg, the challenge will be translating ambitious sustainability commitments into operational progress across its global value chain.

But the direction is clear.

As companies face rising regulatory scrutiny, shifting consumer preferences and growing investor expectations, sustainability is becoming a defining factor in the future of the global beverage industry.

And for Carlsberg, Brewing Tomorrow is intended to ensure the company remains competitive, resilient and responsible in a rapidly changing world.

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By: Rosemary Wambui

10th March 2026