What is that of the carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint is like the first memory of a party where you do not remember how you arrived, but you know that it has left its brand. It refers to the amount of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), that our activities produce, especially in the beer industry, which, unlike our memory, must be carefully monitored.
The beer life cycle: a trip with environmental impact
From barley to your glass
To understand how our favorite beers affect the planet, we have to continue their trip from the field to the bar. Each stage of the elaboration process has its own footprint, from the cultivation of barley to consumption and, of course, the recycling of cans and bottles.
Breaking down the beer footprint: How much CO2 are in your pint?
Calculating the carbon footprint in beer production may seem like a puzzle, but it is worth it. For example, to make about 10,000 liters of delicious beers, you could be throwing a total of 0.858 kg of CO2 per liter. And for you to get an idea, that equals more than 8,000 kg of CO2 in total. And that we do not count the toasts!
Impact of each process of the process
The milestones of emissions
Let’s look at some of the main culprits: the cultivation of barley and hops, the malted, the production, the packaging, the distribution and even the enjoyment in the fridge. Each step helps to increase the footprint in dimensions that we do not always imagine.
Do we need that cooling?
Even when you enjoy a very cold beer, the vessel refrigerator trip implies a price, and we are not talking only about what you pay in the bar. The cooling of beers is another time where emissions are released, adding the total that leads you to reflect on how each bubble counts.
This toast is because of sustainability: how to reduce the footprint?
The good news is that conscious brewers can make a real change. From use less water to optimize the malted process with renewable energy, there are many actions that can be taken to mitigate the environmental impact.
Fresh ideas for brewers
Consider the use of efficient organic fertilizers or techniques, for example, can decrease the carbon footprint even before the barley reaches the plant. Then, combining renewable energy during malted and transport with electric vehicles can create a sustainability symphony.
Consumer responsibility
Consumers also play a fundamental role. Demand transparency to breweries over their practices and opt for products that have a lower environmental impact are ways of echoing the importance of a greener future.
To provide for a sustainable future
The trip to a more sustainable brewery is like a good beer: improved over time. Every step we take, from growing to consume, can contribute to making this world a slightly fresher and more responsible place. So lift your glass, not only for the taste, but also for the commitment to the planet.
