Environmental Stewardship in the Brewing Industry
April is a month dedicated to reminding ourselves about the importance of Mother Earth. Earth Day has been celebrated every April 22 since the 1970s. This month, we are spotlighting craft breweries and their suppliers that go the extra mile to embrace environmental stewardship and community outreach.
Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
Firstly, we highlighted Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ initial impact report, delving into its five-pillar social impact program. Breakthru Beverage Group’s 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report and Allagash Brewing’s Earth Month 2024 initiatives also garnered our attention.
Yakima Chief Hops Leading the Way
Yakima Chief Hops, a global leader in the hop industry, has made significant strides in environmental stewardship. Their initiatives were outlined in Hopwire Blog posts by Levi Wyatt and a YouTube video featured above.
Conservation Efforts and Advocacy
In the past year alone, Yakima Chief Hops has supported ten conservation letters to protect waterways in the Pacific Northwest, contributing to the protection of state forest lands under the Trust Land Transfer program.
The Brewshed Alliance Connection
Through the Brewshed Alliance, Yakima Chief collaborates with breweries to protect the natural world. These efforts include signing conservation letters, creating issue-focused beers, and raising funds for Washington Wild.
Solar Panel Installation and Energy Corporate Goals
Yakima Chief Hops is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. they installed 3,706 solar panels across six buildings, generating 1,414,766 kWh of electricity annually. This setup captures 15% of their electricity demands and reduces annual emissions by 1,000 metric tons.
Partnerships for Sustainability
Their partnership with Zevero, a carbon emissions monitoring software, marks another step in reducing their carbon footprint. This collaboration is part of their broader strategy to promote sustainability within the hop industry.
Yakima Chief Hops’ Climate Strategy Goals
- Purchasing renewable energy through Power Purchase Agreements starting in 2024.
- Conducting energy audits to identify efficiency projects.
- Investing in water efficiency to reduce consumption.
- Setting corporate goals aligned with the Science-Based Targets Initiative by 2024.
- Tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions annually.
- Shifting to upcycled agricultural waste products.
- Working with growers to enhance regenerative agricultural practices.
- Providing full transparency of water and carbon footprint information.
- Supporting public policy initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
- Investing in carbon capture technology research and development.
- Ensuring all packaging materials are recyclable or compostable by 2025.
- Achieving 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Table of Yakima Chief Hops’ Environmental Initiatives
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| Solar Panel Installation | 3,706 panels generating 1,414,766 kWh annually |
| Renewable Energy Agreements | Purchasing renewable energy through agreements starting 2024 |
| Energy Audits | Identifying efficiency projects and equipment upgrades |
| Water Efficiency Investments | Reducing water consumption across facilities |
| Science-Based Targets | Aligning corporate goals with SBTi by 2024 |
| Carbon Footprint Reporting | Annual tracking and focus on indirect emissions |
| Upcycled Waste Products | Utilizing agricultural waste to cut emissions |
| Regenerative Practices | Enhancing soil health through regenerative methods |
| Policy Support | Endorsing initiatives to accelerate carbon reduction |
| Carbon Capture Technologies | Investing in research and development for carbon capture |
| Recyclable Packaging | Ensuring 100% recyclable or compostable materials by 2025 |
| Renewable Energy | Achieving 100% renewable energy by 2025 |
Yakima Chief Hops’ dedication to environmental sustainability is evident through proactive advocacy programs and efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Their strategic partnerships are steering the brewing industry toward greener practices. Stay updated as they continue pioneering eco-friendly initiatives.
