East African Breweries PLC has reported significant progress in the Net-Zero journey, through actions that saw them emitting 55 percent less carbon in the last year.
The report highlights that the rollout of biomass steam plants in Uganda and Kenya has seen an increased use of renewable energy in EABL’s operations to 64.86 percent, up from 25.8 percent in 2022.
East African Breweries PLC unveiled this year’s EABL Sustainability Report dubbed, ‘Accelerating to a low carbon world’, in which the brewer indicates that it had upped the use of clean energy from 25.8% in 2022 to 64.86% this year.
Revealing about the Kenyan plants; four biomass boilers in Kisumu and Tusker Plants that represent a total investment of Kshs. 4.6 billion while the biomass plant in Uganda Breweries Limited represents a total investment of Kshs. 1.6 billion.
According to Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the move by East African Breweries is impressive and a great move that cites its commitment to reducing water and energy consumption, increasing the use of renewable energy, and minimizing waste generation.
CS Soipan mentioned the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change as an emphasis on Africa’s potential and ambition as a vital component of the global solution to climate change and reiterated Africa’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to the decarbonization of the global economy.
“The launch of EABL’s third sustainability report is a true testament to the company’s commitment to responsible business practices and the dedication to building a more sustainable future”, said Hon. Tuya.
The CS further called for more partnerships and collaborations between the private sector and the ministry as actions are put in place to address the crisis at hand. she stressed that the partnerships between the government and private sector, for sustainability, are pivotal alliances that hold immense potential for driving transformative change and achieving of a sustainable future.
“Together, we can continue to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, promote circularity and resource efficiency, and contribute to the achievement of national and global sustainability goals, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, she added.
East African Breweries Group Chairman, Martin Oduor-Otieno, recognizes that Irrespective of Africa’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions there is a responsibility to manufacture award-winning brands sustainably across our supply chain.
He added that the push for reduction of emissions is the reason for this Grain-to-Glass Sustainability approach, which means that we think through each aspect of our production process.
Jane Karuku, EABL Group MD and CEO said that one of the cornerstones of their sustainability strategy is the commitment to reducing their carbon footprint.
Revealing that they have made significant strides in this area, around implementing of energy-efficient measures across all of their sites and adopting renewable energy sources, including Biomass.
“We have a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and this year, we saw a substantial reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent from 2022”, said Jane Karuku, EABL Group MD and CEO.
EABL has also committed to an ambitious target to reduce their scope 3 emissions by 50 percent. To meet this commitment, they are supporting opportunities that reduce the emissions produced by the materials and services they source from their suppliers.
The company is also rethinking its way of doing business to embed a more collaborative and circular way to source materials and services across the value chain.
