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Evaluating the Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Craft Beer Industry: An Assessment of Challenges and Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Accounting

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  • Rachel Shin

    (Environmental Applied Science and Management Program, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Cory Searcy

    (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

Abstract

A growing number of companies in the brewery industry have made commitments to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, many brewers, particularly craft brewers with relatively low rates of production, have not made such commitments. The purpose of this research was to investigate the challenges and benefits of measuring and reducing GHG emissions in the craft brewery industry. The research was conducted in Ontario, Canada, which has seen strong recent growth in the craft brewery industry. A case study and semi-structured interviews among Ontario Craft Brewers were conducted. The case study found that indirect (scope 3 GHGs under the WBCSD & WRI GHG Protocol) GHG sources accounted for 46.4% of total GHGs, with major sources from barley agriculture, malted barley transportation, and bottle production. Direct emissions (scope 1) accounted for only 14.9% of GHGs, while scope 2 emissions, comprised mainly of energy consumption, accounted for 38.7% of GHGs. The case study used case company primary data, and secondary data such as emission factors from external sources. The case study and interviews found that the main challenges in calculating brewery GHGs are secondary data availability, technical knowledge, and finances. The semi-structured interviews, which used prepared interview questions and probes to encourage follow-up answers, also found that the main benefits for Ontario breweries to measure their GHGs include sustainability marketing and preserving the environment. The interviews also found a poor understanding of carbon regulation among Ontario Craft Brewers, which is interesting considering that Ontario implemented a provincial cap and trade program in 2017.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Shin & Cory Searcy, 2018. "Evaluating the Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Craft Beer Industry: An Assessment of Challenges and Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Accounting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-30, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:11:p:4191-:d:182702
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathryn Harrison, 2012. "A Tale of Two Taxes: The Fate of Environmental Tax Reform in Canada," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 29(3), pages 383-407, May.
    2. Alessio Cimini & Mauro Moresi, 2018. "Effect of Brewery Size on the Main Process Parameters and Cradle‐to‐Grave Carbon Footprint of Lager Beer," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(5), pages 1139-1155, October.
    3. Breeda Comyns, 2018. "Climate change reporting and multinational companies: Insights from institutional theory and international business," Accounting Forum, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(1), pages 65-77, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Vaclovas Miskinis & Arvydas Galinis & Inga Konstantinaviciute & Vidas Lekavicius & Eimantas Neniskis, 2019. "Comparative Analysis of the Energy Sector Development Trends and Forecast of Final Energy Demand in the Baltic States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-27, January.
    3. Eid M Alotaibi & Ashraf Khallaf & Abed Al-Nasser Abdallah & Taisier Zoubi & Awwad Alnesafi, 2024. "Blockchain-Driven Carbon Accountability in Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-30, December.
    4. Alicia Rosburg & Carola Grebitus, 2021. "Sustainable development in the craft brewing industry: A case study of Iowa brewers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(7), pages 2966-2979, November.
    5. Michael Martin & Sjoerd Herlaar & Aiden Jönsson & David Lazarevic, 2022. "From Circular to Linear? Assessing the Life Cycle Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Steel and Plastic Beer Kegs," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(3), pages 937-960, September.
    6. Veronika Belousova & Oxana Bondarenko & Nikolay Chichkanov & Denis Lebedev & Ian Miles, 2022. "Coping with Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Insights from Digital Business Services," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-26, April.
    7. Vesela Veleva & Shelby Amsel, 2025. "The Role of Technical Assistance and Recognition in Promoting Pollution Prevention and Sustainability Among Craft Breweries: Lessons from Massachusetts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-25, June.
    8. Juan García-Álvarez de Perea & Carolina Ramírez-García & Aida Del Cubo-Molina, 2019. "Internationalization Business Models and Patterns of SMEs and MNEs: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study in the Agrifood Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-26, May.

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