In achieving its own carbon neutral certification, Canberra-based brewery Capital Brewing Co has developed a template for other brewers to follow to streamline their carbon reduction plans.
Co-founders and joint managing directors Laurence Kain and Tom Hertel said everyone had a responsibility to look after their surroundings and it is now widely accepted that we must work quickly to avoid irreversible, catastrophic changes to our environment.
The brewery is the first in Australia to be certified carbon neutral under the Federal Government Climate Active certification for both its entire organisation and all its products.
Climate Active’s Strategy and Engagement director Dan Sheedy said the Capital team had shown “immense dedication to embodying a truly sustainable operation”.
“We are choosing to provide our customers the option to continue to enjoy an ice-cold beer in the knowledge that it’s not warming the planet and in doing so, aim to inspire change throughout the brewing industry,” Kain said.
Hertel said, “With sustainability being at the core of every decision we make, we’re incredibly proud to be recognised by Climate Active as the first brewery in Australia to be certified Carbon Neutral for our entire operations, all our products, and all direct and indirect emissions we’ve created.”
The brewery has implemented numerous energy, water, waste, and chemical reduction strategies and processes across its operations. This includes 100 per cent renewable electricity at the brewery, diverting 709 tonnes of spent grain, hops, and yeast to an organic farm every year, and a new water-cooled refrigerant plant with low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerant.
In 2021, Capital engaged carbon and energy management experts Pangolin Associates to conduct a life cycle assessment of its entire operations covering all of Capital Brewing’s direct, indirect, upstream, and downstream activities from raw materials such as aluminium, grain and hops, to energy and water use, waste, freight, staff commuting, and even every piece of paper used in its offices.
After the results were independently audited and verified, the company purchased internationally certified carbon credits with the Orana Natural Capital Project to offset Capital Brewing Co.’s CO2 emissions emitted during FY20/21.
Capital is currently developing further improvements to its environmental performance, including an automated Clean-In-Place system to recycle water and chemicals used to clean brewery vessels multiple times, and the transition to an all-electric vehicle fleet.
Certification template
In addition to the certification, the Capital team spearheaded the development of a template that allows other breweries to easily calculate their own carbon emissions and provide a streamlined pathway with a reduced administrative cost, to reduce and offset their emissions and gain carbon neutral certification.
Created in partnership with Pangolin Associates and Climate Active, the template is set to be a game changer for the industry helping other breweries to do their bit and become more sustainable.
Hertel said, “There is often the expectation that becoming carbon neutral is restrictive, laborious and expensive. However, with the easy-to-use framework and urgent need to act, we’re calling on our fellow brewers to get on board and, together as an industry, let's lead the way for real action on climate change.”
Sheedy said, “The Capital Brewing Co Climate Active certification and development of the blueprint is a testament to their commitment to making real change within the brewing industry and protecting the environment for future generations.”
