Carlsberg chairman: Sustainable development vital for growth

Speaking in New York at the opening of Climate Week NYC, Carlsberg Chairman Flemming Besenbacher has called for businesses to adopt ambitious climate targets in order to create necessary environmental change.

His comments come after the Carlsberg Group committed to eliminating carbon emissions and halving water usage at its breweries by 2030, as part of its new sustainability programme called Together Towards Zero announced in June.

“With pressing global issues such as climate change, we are living in a time of great risks and great opportunities,” he said. “I believe that the companies that will thrive in the coming decades are those companies that take action and contribute to sustainable development.

“I am proud that with the new sustainability programme – Together Towards Zero – the Carlsberg Group will be one of those companies, and will urge others to follow. This will ensure the scale and scope needed to create true durable positive change.”

Throughout this week, Besenbacher is joining events at the United Nations and the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit, engaging in dialogue with like-minded companies to seek out ideas, innovations and partnerships that can contribute to the Carlsberg Group’s journey towards zero carbon emissions.

Speaking at Climate Week NYC on behalf of the Carlsberg Foundation, Besenbacher also announced a DKK 500 million ($80 million) investment by the Foundation in carbon reduction, water conservation and sustainable food production. 

The investment will be managed by BNP Paribas and sub-managed by Impax Asset Management with the aim of generating financial returns while delivering sustainability benefits. Investments will be focused on the Parvest Global Environment Fund, the Parvest Aqua Fund and the Parvest Smart Food Fund.

Besenbacher added: “With this  DKK 500 million investment, the Carlsberg Foundation aims to make a difference by generating sustainable returns, which we can give back to society or reinvest in other impact funds.”

Taking place until 24 September, Climate Week NYC gathers influential leaders from business to share why and how they are embracing the opportunities of the clean economy.