World: Asahi sets 2040 as its ‘value chain’ net-zero target

Asahi Group Holdings has set 2040 as its “value chain” net-zero target as it tries to commit to the Paris Agreement’s global heating limit of 1.5°C, bringing forward its net-zero deadline by ten years from a previously stated 2050, Global Data reported.

The net-zero goal targets have been set according to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which covers all emissions including scope one, two and three.

Scope one and two covers direct company emissions from production and building energy usage. While three - the harder to manage - encompasses emissions produce by third parties and a group's supply chain.

“What we are facing is bigger than us,” Asahi Group Holdings CEO Atsushi Katsuki said. “Therefore, we need to engage with others to serve the greater good to achieve net zero across our value chain by 2040.

“We will continue innovating and fostering sustainable partnerships, because we are fully aware of the positive impact we can have together.”

The Japanese brewer said it was already working with suppliers and partners to reduce its scope 3 emissions by developing “innovative technologies” with industry and scientific studies.

In May, the soft drinks arm of Asahi Group launched a trial of vending machines in Japan capable of absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.

Asahi said each machine was capable of offsetting 20% of the CO2 emissions generated from the production of the electricity they require to operate.

Speaking to Just Drinks in January, the CEO of Asahi Europe and International, Paolo Lanzarotti, said: “Already today our brewery in the Netherlands uses 100% clean heat and, in Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania, 100% of [the] electricity used in our breweries comes from renewable sources. We are on the right track and remaining focused and bold in executing to deliver on our Legacy 2030 targets places us in a much better position commercially.”

Last year, Asahi Group Holdings set up a Singapore-based subsidiary that will act as a global procurement unit for the entire group.

The claimed savings of the unit will stem from benefits such as a greater ability to mitigate increases in input costs. A closer relationship with “key strategic suppliers” is also expected to provide additional benefits, including in areas such as sustainability.

SBTi is a global partnership environment initiative between the CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), United Nations Global Compact and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

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