In August, the beverage industry received a stern warning about the likelihood of missing greenhouse gas targets for 2030 and 2040, emphasizing the challenging path to sustainability. To address this, fundamental changes beyond routine operations are crucial. Achieving emissions targets demands significant investments in new technologies and infrastructures, impacting supply chains, profitability, and shareholder value.
Despite these challenges, there are actionable steps:
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Rethinking 'Recyclable' Packaging: Businesses must recognize that recyclability alone is insufficient. Collaborating with suppliers for post-consumer waste packaging and advocating for improved recycling infrastructure is vital. Relying solely on carbon credits and offsetting is inadequate.
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Educating Consumers on Packaging Ecological Value: Companies should work with retailers to enhance reusable packaging accessibility and support extended deposit return schemes for glass. The focus should be on making bottles more reusable and understanding the ecological impact of the vessel's lifecycle.
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Reducing Virgin Stock Reliance: Investing in innovative materials from agri-waste rather than virgin or tree-based fibers can reduce emissions and deforestation. This shift can also create new revenue streams within businesses.
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Embracing a 'Glo-Cal' Business Approach: Combining global and local strategies addresses Scope 3 emissions throughout the supply chain. Collaboration with suppliers, local production support, and mindful logistics can minimize excessive shipping requirements.
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Learning from Other Industries: Drawing insights from industries closer to reaching their targets and leveraging resources provided by international bodies like the UN is essential for the beverage sector.
In conclusion, these actions, though challenging, are imperative to combat inertia and address the urgent climate crisis. Stakeholder collaboration, from suppliers to governments, is crucial, emphasizing that these changes are about doing what is right rather than gaining a competitive advantage. Leading in these efforts will secure a lasting positive impact on consumers
