Month: January 2024

January 31, 2024 /3BL/ – The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) completed its 12th global benchmarking study – a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of water, energy, and emissions efficiency in the beverage industry. In its 12 benchmarking studies, BIER has evaluated 18 years of industry performance for nearly 2,000 facilities worldwide. The final results represent a comprehensive set of production, water, energy, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions metrics which are normalized, categorized, and analyzed by facility and beverage type.

The 2023 benchmarking study includes facility-level data for 2017, 2020, and 2022 from 14 BIER members and two partner contributors.

From 2017 to 2022, industry water use, energy use, and emissions ratios decreased by 8%, 11%, and 22%, respectively, notwithstanding increased production volumes. Most of all four facility types (i.e., breweries, distilleries, wineries, and bottling facilities) reported improvements in performance ratios compared to 2017. The study also showcased continued progress across a variety of production volumes and geographic locations.

“The release of the twelfth BIER Benchmarking study is another milestone achievement for the global beverage industry’s continuing efforts to be proactive and transparent about their environmental sustainability performance. The BIER benchmarking study continues to be a valuable resource for beverage companies and industry leaders to evaluate and advance water, energy, and carbon emissions within their organizations.” ~ Daniel Pierce, BIER Executive Director

BIER is committed to the continuous improvement and mitigation of environmental impacts associated with global beverage production processes. This commitment is demonstrated first-hand through the benchmarking study, which drives industry-wide collaboration, accountability, and performance improvement from each of the BIER participating members.

The complete 2023 Water, Energy, and Emissions Efficiency Benchmarking Study can be downloaded at https://www.bieroundtable.com/publication/2023-water-and-energy-use-benchmarking-study/

About BIER
BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Formed in 2006, BIER is a common voice across the beverage sector, speaking to influence global standards on environmental sustainability aspects most relevant to the sector, affect change both up and down the supply chain, and share best practices that raise the bar for environmental performance of the industry. By doing so, BIER is able to monitor data and trends, engage with key stakeholders, develop best practices, and guide a course of action for the future. BIER members include Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Heineken, Keurig Dr Pepper, LION, Molson Coors, Monster, Ocean Spray Cranberries, PepsiCo, and Pernod Ricard. For more information, visit www.bieroundtable.com.

January 31, 2024 /3BL/ – AEG’s eco-social initiative, FAME FOREST, brought together interfaith leaders, performers and the general public to create the world’s first digital mandala symbolizing inclusion. The event was produced in cooperation with renowned German sound artist Sven Meyers, who is known for his spectacular performance installation, KYMAT.

Under the direction of the Hamburg-based musical trio Sons of Hamburg, Joja Wendt, Stefan Gwildis, and Rolf Claussen,nearly hundred people including Lilo Wanders, Sandra Quadflieg, Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky, Archbishop Stefan Heße, Paralympic champion Edina Müller, gathered at AEG’s Barclay’s Arena to create a picture of inclusion.

Standing together in a circle, participants held a long note in unison. The sound waves from the polyphonic tone created the digital mandala “We are One,” which represented the world’s first visual sound creation of unity and oneness.

The mandala serves as a reminder that differences in gender, appearance, origin, belief, social status, fame, age, skin color, sexual/political orientation, and disability are not obstacles, but an enrichment to society.

“Diversity and inclusion are the cornerstones of creating better world for everyone and we are thrilled to work with Sven on the Kymat Project,” said Steve Schwenkglenks, Vice President & Managing Director of Barclays Arena. “From its inception, FAME FOREST has been symbol of unity and our aim with this event was to challenges barriers and raise awareness to overcome the inequalities facing handicapped and marginalized communities. Only by accepting everyone into society and creating economic opportunities for them, can we create a better world for all.”

FAME FOREST is an eco-social cooperation project between AEG and the non-profit organization Das Geld hängt an den Bäumen (Money Grows on Trees). Every artist that performs at Barclays Arena receives a tree planted in their name in the FAME FOREST and to date more than 12,000 trees have been planted. The non-profit, Das Geld hängt an den Bäumen, provides full-and part-time employment to handicapped and marginalized people living in Hamburg who pick and process fruit into juices, spritzers and seltzers that are sold in supermarkets across Germany.