A clean and clever approach to energy will reduce your footprint
The Brewing Decarbonisation Pathway gives all breweries in New Zealand free access to helpful tools and resources, designed specifically for the sector.
These tools and resources have been developed by industry experts and endorsed by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, to deliver shared knowledge and information at the right time for your business.
Decarbonising beer in New Zealand
New Zealand’s beer scene is world-class. With over 200 existing breweries and over 1600 unique products, kiwis are spoilt for choice.
The industry’s diversity is partially due to the abundance of locally grown ingredients. The availability of quality ingredients has also contributed to the rapid growth of New Zealand brewing over the past decade. In a brewery, the majority of emissions are from the use of LPG and natural gas.
Many breweries are starting to feel the effects of climate change(external link) first-hand. Most notably, due to fuel costs rising, and the availability of ingredients being challenged.
New Zealand hops are highly sought after, with around 70% of the 2021 harvest being exported to 17 different countries. However, they are also very vulnerable to changing weather patterns. The 2021 harvest was around 14% less than the previous year, due to a hailstorm that destroyed crops across the Nelson Tasman Region.
Steps taken by small breweries across New Zealand will help reduce the impact of the industry on the climate, futureproof businesses, and look after our people and environment.
Big or small, actions taken to reduce emissions can contribute to something much bigger than an individual business, or our industry. We’re making changes that contribute to a low carbon future for New Zealand.
Objectives of the pathway
- Support breweries with reducing energy related emissions at a sector level through tailored tools and resources, endorsed by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand.
- Simplify the process of reducing individual business emissions through a guided pathway and support.
- Connect New Zealand breweries with world-class innovation and best-practice guidance.
Who can sign up?
The tools and resources produced for the Brewing Decarbonisation Pathway have been designed for New Zealand breweries. Any brewery in New Zealand can tap into these resources for free.
Key tools and information will only be available to businesses that sign up to our Brewing Decarbonisation Pathway.
The information you receive through the Brewing Decarbonisation Pathway will be tailored to where you are at on your journey.
Benefits to breweries
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Reduce costs |
Improving efficiency can reduce the cost of equipment operation and energy and help prepare for the rising cost of high emissions activities under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). In the average New Zealand brewery, Fossil Fuel use is responsible for an estimated 80% of process heat related emissions. Reducing the demand for these fossil fuels offers a key opportunity to simultaneously reduce costs and emissions in a brewery. The International Energy Agency has found that implementing better energy management practices in industry can deliver savings up to 15% in the first 1-2 years, at a low cost. |
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Create value |
Improving processes and using more efficient equipment can lead to an increase in productivity, and a decrease in energy intensity per unit of beer produced. Decreasing your business's impact on the environment can also drive customer interest. Recent research undertaken by EECA has shown that 82% of New Zealand consumers want businesses to do more to reduce their environmental impact. This means that beer drinkers are more switched on to where ingredients are sourced, the impact that the brewing process has on the environment, and what is being done by the brewery to reduce that impact. |
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Future proofing |
Fostering collaborative, proactive solutions can reduce competition between breweries for the same services, resources, and opportunities - reducing costs and ensuring business continuity in a low carbon future. The Emissions Reduction Plan 2022 has set a target to produce a Gas Transition Plan by the end of 2023, which will set out a transition pathway from fossil gas. Breweries can begin to prepare for this transition through implementing changes that reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. |
Tools and resources for New Zealand breweries
Explore our resources for NZ breweries and begin your decarbonisation journey.
Sawmill Brewery says ‘hello’ to low-carbon beer
Get a glimpse into the future of craft beer in a low-emissions Aotearoa. This independent New Zealand owned Brewery is working hard to reduce their energy-related emissions.