EABL prepares to reduce its carbon emissions by 95 percent annually
The company will reduce 42,000 tons of carbon emissions per year with an investment of Kshs 5.1 billion. The renewable energy effort is part of Diageo’s Kshs 26 billion sustainability investment in African breweries.
East African Breweries PLC (EABL) will reduce its carbon emissions by 95 percent annually as a result of Ksh. 5.1 billion investment in renewable energy at its plants in Kenya and Uganda, the company reported.
The investment in biomass plants will replace the heavy fuel oils used at the company’s sites in Ruaraka, Kisumu in Kenya and Port Bell in Kampala and will be fueled by sustainable feedstocks such as macadamia hulls, coffee hulls and rice and wheat bagasse. sugar cane. The change will reduce its carbon emissions by 42,000 tons per year.
The company outlined the projections in its EABL 2022 Sustainability Report, launched today by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Dr. Chris Kiptoo.
He affirmed that the Ministry of Environment and Forests will facilitate enabling policies and strengthen strategic alliances that will support the sustainability efforts of the private sector.
“The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is committed to promoting and facilitating good governance in the protection, restoration, conservation, development and management of environmental and forest resources, for equitable and sustainable development. It is encouraging to see companies like EABL adopt sustainability. and integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their operations. The level of environmental investment is important, especially the new biomass boilers, which will significantly reduce their carbon emissions,” he said.
The 2022 Sustainability Report provides an overview of the processes and mechanisms the company has put in place to support our commitment to doing business the right way. It highlights the impact of your sustainability work on various stakeholders and communities.
Speaking at the launch, EABL Group Managing Director and CEO Ms Jane Karuku noted that tackling climate change was a top priority for the company as EABL seeks to substantially increase its share of renewable energy use in the overall energy mix.
“Every other day, another research finding, news story or environment-related disaster presents more evidence that our planet is in crisis. Despite these seemingly insurmountable challenges, EABL is taking the lead in developing solutions. The investment in biomass demonstrates the strength of our commitment to pioneer ‘bean to glass sustainability’, which is a key pillar of our sustainability strategy, and continues our work to provide sustainable solutions for local supply chains. 900 direct and indirect green jobs throughout our supply chain, in particular with local farmers, whom we have contracted to provide the raw materials,” said Ms Karuku.
Africa accounts for only 2-3 percent of the world’s carbon emissions from energy and industrial resources. However, East Africa remains highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change: according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, the region is already experiencing warming of 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the season. preindustrial.
To promote health literacy and address the harms caused by alcohol, the EABL launched the SMASHED program to educate youth, parents and teachers about the dangers of underage drinking, reaching 35,500 people and achieving a 137% success rate, which is a reach of 48,690 people.
Aiming to champion inclusion and diversity, EABL reached 5,327 people through hospitality and business skills training programs, a 165% achievement of its goal of reaching 3,220 people. The manufacturer also increased the number of women represented in its community programs, from 54% in 2021 to 63% in 2022.
Towards its goal of preserving water for life, EABL completed 100% of its collective water action projects, reaching a total of 99,317 people with WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programs, 311 percent above its annual goal of reaching 31,885 people.
EABL aims to become Net Zero in its direct operations by 2030. To this end, its sites run on 96.9 percent renewable electricity for their operations, up from its target of 95 percent.
Aligned with its transition agenda to a circular economy model, EABL has maintained zero tons of waste in landfills from its direct operations. Additionally, 100 percent of all plastics used at EABL sites are broadly recyclable, reusable, and compostable, which is higher than in 2021, where 90 percent of its plastics were broadly recyclable. It’s also higher than its 2022 target of 98 percent.
EABL is deliberately driving a shared prosperity agenda to ensure value for employees, consumers and business partners, including distributors and retailers. As the next 100 years of business unfold, EABL’s efforts towards the environment, inclusion, diversity and the promotion of positive alcohol consumption, guided by its 10-Year Sustainability Strategy: Society 2030, will continue with seriousness.
