Roadmap to Net Zero
Climate change presents one of the greatest threats that modern humanity has ever faced. In 2015, the Paris Climate Agreement signalled a commitment to transition to a lower carbon economy and limit the global average temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial times. However, we now understand that to limit the worst impacts of climate change, we must strive to prevent warming beyond 1.5°C.
Reaching this target will require all sectors of the UK economy to achieve deep reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next 10 years, and globally to reach a state of net zero emissions by no later than 2050. In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to legislate to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a commitment that was further reinforced in 2021 when the government set a new target to reduce national emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.
These ambitious targets will inform the direction for both government policy and business over the coming decades. Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors will play a crucial role in the transition to net zero. For many it will present significant challenges, but also great opportunity, and the possibility of developing new business models, driving new technologies, and evolving efficiencies.
Many businesses in the beer and pub sectors have already started to rise to the challenge of climate change by setting ambitious, corporate-level net zero commitments. Ultimately, all business will need to plot their own net zero journey, focused on their specific business models and the priorities and expectations of their stakeholders. As part of this, collaboration will also be key to tackling the interconnected challenges around climate change and reaching net zero.
To support those who have already embarked on this journey, and to assist those who are at the earliest stages, the BBPA has worked alongside the Zero Carbon Forum to develop sectoral roadmaps to help brewing and pub businesses set credible net zero strategies and undertake an ambitious pathway towards emission reduction targets, ahead of those set by the UK and Scottish Governments.
Net-Zero Roadmaps:
Relevant links:
The Zero Carbon Forum is a non-profit industry initiative to design and implement a plan to net zero emissions for the Brewing and Hospitality sector and all the businesses in it. Backed by the BBPA, the forum provides its members with the clarity, guidance and the collaborative action required to reach net zero together at pace.