World’s largest brewer to go 100% renewable

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world’s largest brewer, has announced its commitment to sourcing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2025.

The maker of popular beers including Corona, Budweiser and Stella Artois plans to source all its purchased electricity from renewable sources by 2025, accounting for approximately 90 per cent of its total electricity consumption worldwide.

The company announced the move last week – stating that its commitment would help to "shift 6 terawatt-hours of electricity annually to renewable sources in the markets where AB InBev operates."

Furthermore, the move will cut AB InBev’s operational footprint by 30 per cent – the equivalent of removing around 500,000 cars from the road.

The transition to renewables will also make the company the largest corporate direct purchaser of renewable electricity in the global consumer goods sector in addition to

Carlos Brito, CEO of AB InBev, said: “Climate change has profound implications for our company and for the communities where we live and work”.

He went on to say: “Cutting back on fossil fuels is good for the environment and good for business, and we are committed to helping drive positive change. We have the opportunity to play a leading role in the battle against climate change by purchasing energy in a more sustainable way.”

AB InBev has committed to securing at least 75 to 85 per cent of its renewable electricity through direct Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), with the remaining 15 to25 per cent primarily coming from on-site solar projects.

The company has just signed its first PPA for 490 gigawatt-hours of wind power per year with Spanish electric company Iberdrola in Mexico, home to its largest brewery, in Zacatecas.

Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100 at The Climate Group, said: “Before long, we will see every Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois made with 100% renewable power and it makes business sense, with financial savings, job creation and emissions cuts on offer,”

He added: “AB Inbev is significantly boosting demand for renewables around the world, showing just the kind of leadership we need to slow climate change and speed a low carbon economy, inspiring other companies right along the value chain.”

Jeanett Bergan, Head of Responsible Investments at KLP, said: “As the world’s greatest purchasers and users of energy, business and industries are best positioned to lead the shift from fossil fuel to renewables and reach the ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement. A clear message from corporates on a shift from fossil fuel to renewables is a language investors can understand. Collaboration among investors and owners of companies to push this agenda is most effective and powerful in driving the change.”

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