The report, which is carried out by Campden BRI and KWA on behalf of the Dutch Brewers Association every four years, revealed that between 2008 and 2012 average water use significantly fell by more than 17%, from 5.2 hectolitres (hl) of water per hl of beer to 4.3.

Average energy use also fell by more than 9% in the same four year period, from 229 megajoules (MJ) per hl of beer to 207 MJ/hl. Even the top 10% most water and energy efficient breweries achieved a further 9% reduction in both energy and water usage between 2008 and 2012.

The survey not only allows breweries to benchmark their energy and water consumption, but highlights what improvements are needed to reach the industry average or to achieve the gold standard status of being in the top 10% of breweries.

Representing almost one third of the world’s beer production, 250 breweries across 49 countries participated in the research.

According to Campden BRI’s head of brewing services, Gordon Jackson, the results “clearly demonstrate that the brewing industry is taking sustained and effective action to improve its environmental performance”.

Maxine Perella

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