The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Diageo has announced plans to invest more than €100 million to decarbonise its St James’s Gate site in Dublin, Ireland, where it has brewed Guinness for 264 years. The investment, part of Diageo’s mission for the site to accelerate to net zero carbon emissions, will be used to transform energy and water consumption as the alcohol giant hopes to make it ‘one of the most efficient breweries in the world by 2030’. The funding will enable St James’s Gate to phase out the use of fossil fuels in its direct brewing operations entirely, reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by the site by more than 90%, in line with the ‘Science Based Target’ initiative’s definition of net zero. By 2030, the site’s renewable energy strategy will combine the use of grid-supplied electrical power heat pumps and biogas generated within a new water recovery facility. This facility will improve water use efficiency and enable a projected reduction in the water used to brew Guinness by 30%. Ireland’s prime minister, Taoiseach Simon Harris, said: “Guinness has been made in Dublin for over a quarter of a millennium, and today so many tourists visit the location while they are here. It’s not just a green transformation for St James’s Gate but a flagship transformation that will send a strong message to the world. It also demonstrates the government’s commitment to businesses, big and small, to make the green transition, and to work in partnership to help achieve our climate goals.” Diageo’s global CEO, Debra Crew, commented: “I want to thank the Taoiseach and Minister Burke for their support for our ambitious decarbonisation plan for St James’s Gate as demonstrated by the support from our partners Enterprise Ireland...We’re 260 years into our 9,000-year lease at St James’s Gate and this investment will ensure that Guinness has an exciting and long-term sustainable future. We are proud to lead the way on decarbonisation, both as a major Irish business and as an industry-leading company.” Ireland’s Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, added: “Diageo's investment into decarbonising St James’s Gate sets a powerful example for businesses transitioning to sustainability. This investment not only reduces carbon emissions but also fosters innovation, job creation and long-term economic stability. Diageo’s leadership here underscores the idea that sustainable practices are not just ethically sound but also economically savvy, paving the way for a future where economic progress can align with environmental responsibility.” This plan is the latest move by Guinness, and more broadly, Diageo, towards futureproofing its business. Last month, Diageo received $75 million to decarbonise production operations at two of its facilities in North America. In February, the alcohol giant launched a call for water innovations in global supply chain management, and January saw the company announce funding to accelerate the decarbonisation of the glass industry in North America. In December, Diageo invested MXN 100 million (around $5.8 million at the time) to reduce water use in tequila production and in October last year, the company unveiled a new regenerative agriculture programme to bolster whisky and tequila production in Scotland and Mexico, respectively.