GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Beer Industry Statistics

Beer industry adopts sustainable practices, reducing emissions and improving eco-efficiency.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Organic ingredients constitute approximately 15% of the total raw materials used in the beer industry

Statistic 2

Use of sustainable hop and barley farming practices has increased by 50% in the past five years

Statistic 3

Renewed focus on local sourcing has led 40% of breweries to prioritize local ingredients to reduce supply chain emissions

Statistic 4

The use of locally sourced hops has increased by 65% over the last five years to reduce transportation emissions

Statistic 5

The shift toward organic brewing ingredients has resulted in a 10% reduction in chemical use in raw material cultivation

Statistic 6

About 60% of breweries globally have adopted renewable energy sources such as solar and wind

Statistic 7

The average energy consumption per liter of beer produced has decreased by 15% since 2018

Statistic 8

The use of LED lighting in breweries has increased energy efficiency by up to 30%

Statistic 9

The biogas generated from brewery waste can supply up to 25% of a brewery’s energy needs

Statistic 10

The energy used for refrigeration in breweries can be reduced by up to 25% through improved insulation and efficient systems

Statistic 11

The adoption of onsite renewable energy installations has doubled among breweries in the last four years

Statistic 12

Energy recovery systems in breweries have the potential to generate up to 15% of total energy needs

Statistic 13

Breweries utilizing solar panels report an average reduction of 35% in their electricity costs

Statistic 14

Over 20% of breweries worldwide are participating in renewable energy cooperatives to power their production

Statistic 15

The carbon sequestration potential of barley crops used in brewing can offset roughly 10% of brewery emissions

Statistic 16

The global beer industry accounts for approximately 1% of the world's total carbon emissions

Statistic 17

Over 80% of breweries worldwide have implemented sustainable practices to reduce water usage

Statistic 18

The average water footprint for brewing a single liter of beer is about 7 liters

Statistic 19

Beer production contributes approximately 0.5% of global greenhouse gases

Statistic 20

Approximately 70% of breweries report reducing their water consumption by implementing water recycling systems

Statistic 21

The carbon footprint of a typical beer can is about 250 grams of CO2 equivalent

Statistic 22

45% of breweries globally are now certified organic or are in the process of certification

Statistic 23

20% of breweries worldwide are involved in local sustainability certification programs

Statistic 24

65% of breweries have adopted water-efficient cleaning technologies

Statistic 25

The average annual water savings due to recycling and conservation measures in breweries is around 2 million liters

Statistic 26

Over 30% of breweries now track their greenhouse gas emissions as part of sustainability reporting

Statistic 27

50% of breweries globally are investigating or implementing zero waste practices

Statistic 28

The use of sustainable water management practices can save a brewery up to 1 million liters of water annually

Statistic 29

The implementation of circular economy practices in breweries reduces waste by up to 60%

Statistic 30

Sustainable breweries have a 30% lower operational cost over five years compared to conventional breweries

Statistic 31

Certification programs like LEED and B Corp are increasingly adopted by breweries to demonstrate sustainability commitments

Statistic 32

In some regions, breweries can reduce their water footprint by as much as 40% via rainwater harvesting

Statistic 33

About 50% of breweries have switched to biodegradable cleaning agents to minimize environmental impact

Statistic 34

ReCycling of spent grains for animal feed or energy production reduces waste disposal costs by approximately 25%

Statistic 35

Water-efficient irrigation on barley farms can cut water use by up to 50%, contributing to sustainability in raw material supply

Statistic 36

The average greenhouse gas emission for a six-pack of beer is roughly 0.75 kg CO2e

Statistic 37

Sustainable water management systems in breweries can reduce wastewater discharge by up to 60%

Statistic 38

55% of craft breweries are now actively participating in climate action programs

Statistic 39

The carbon dioxide released during beer bottling and packaging can be partially offset using biogenic CO2 capture systems

Statistic 40

The adoption of sustainable logistics reduces transportation-related emissions by an average of 20%

Statistic 41

The use of non-toxic cleaning chemicals in breweries has increased by 30% over the last five years

Statistic 42

Over 55% of breweries now participate in community sustainability initiatives

Statistic 43

Men and women aged 25-40 are more likely to choose brands that prioritize sustainability, influencing industry shifts

Statistic 44

Beer companies with sustainable practices tend to have 20% higher brand loyalty

Statistic 45

75% of consumers in the US and Europe are willing to pay more for sustainably produced beer

Statistic 46

Over 70% of breweries engaged in sustainability initiatives report a positive brand image impact

Statistic 47

The total global market value for sustainable beer ingredients is projected to grow to $3.5 billion by 2026

Statistic 48

40% of breweries have adopted eco-labels or sustainability certifications on their products

Statistic 49

Consumer demand for transparency in sustainability practices has increased by 45% over the past three years

Statistic 50

The use of recycled packaging materials in the beer industry has increased by over 25% in the past five years

Statistic 51

The adoption of biodegradable bottle labels in the industry has increased by 40% over the last three years

Statistic 52

Approximately 35% of breweries use bio-based or compostable packaging materials

Statistic 53

The global market for eco-friendly beer packaging is expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2027

Statistic 54

Sustainable packaging options can decrease the carbon footprint of bottled beer by up to 20%

Slide 1 of 54

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The global beer industry accounts for approximately 1% of the world's total carbon emissions
Over 80% of breweries worldwide have implemented sustainable practices to reduce water usage
The average water footprint for brewing a single liter of beer is about 7 liters
Organic ingredients constitute approximately 15% of the total raw materials used in the beer industry
About 60% of breweries globally have adopted renewable energy sources such as solar and wind
The use of recycled packaging materials in the beer industry has increased by over 25% in the past five years
Beer production contributes approximately 0.5% of global greenhouse gases
Approximately 70% of breweries report reducing their water consumption by implementing water recycling systems
The carbon footprint of a typical beer can is about 250 grams of CO2 equivalent
Over 55% of breweries now participate in community sustainability initiatives
The adoption of biodegradable bottle labels in the industry has increased by 40% over the last three years
45% of breweries globally are now certified organic or are in the process of certification
The average energy consumption per liter of beer produced has decreased by 15% since 2018

From eco-friendly packaging to renewable energy, the beer industry is brewing up a sustainability revolution that not only reduces its environmental footprint but also boosts brand loyalty and consumer trust worldwide.

Agricultural Practices and Raw Material Sustainability

Organic ingredients constitute approximately 15% of the total raw materials used in the beer industry
Use of sustainable hop and barley farming practices has increased by 50% in the past five years
Renewed focus on local sourcing has led 40% of breweries to prioritize local ingredients to reduce supply chain emissions
The use of locally sourced hops has increased by 65% over the last five years to reduce transportation emissions
The shift toward organic brewing ingredients has resulted in a 10% reduction in chemical use in raw material cultivation

Agricultural Practices and Raw Material Sustainability Interpretation

As the beer industry hops onto sustainable trends—boasting a 65% rise in local sourcing and a 50% surge in eco-friendly farming—it's clear that brewers are finally realizing that a greener pint starts with greener ingredients.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources

About 60% of breweries globally have adopted renewable energy sources such as solar and wind
The average energy consumption per liter of beer produced has decreased by 15% since 2018
The use of LED lighting in breweries has increased energy efficiency by up to 30%
The biogas generated from brewery waste can supply up to 25% of a brewery’s energy needs
The energy used for refrigeration in breweries can be reduced by up to 25% through improved insulation and efficient systems
The adoption of onsite renewable energy installations has doubled among breweries in the last four years
Energy recovery systems in breweries have the potential to generate up to 15% of total energy needs
Breweries utilizing solar panels report an average reduction of 35% in their electricity costs
Over 20% of breweries worldwide are participating in renewable energy cooperatives to power their production

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources Interpretation

With over 60% of breweries embracing renewables and innovative energy-saving measures cutting costs and consumption by up to 35%, the beer industry is proving that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s also a toast-worthy business model.

Environmental Sustainability

The carbon sequestration potential of barley crops used in brewing can offset roughly 10% of brewery emissions

Environmental Sustainability Interpretation

While barley's role in the brewery may seem modest, its potential to absorb about 10% of emissions reminds us that even our grains can help toast to a greener future—if cultivated with sustainability in mind.

Environmental Sustainability and Water Management

The global beer industry accounts for approximately 1% of the world's total carbon emissions
Over 80% of breweries worldwide have implemented sustainable practices to reduce water usage
The average water footprint for brewing a single liter of beer is about 7 liters
Beer production contributes approximately 0.5% of global greenhouse gases
Approximately 70% of breweries report reducing their water consumption by implementing water recycling systems
The carbon footprint of a typical beer can is about 250 grams of CO2 equivalent
45% of breweries globally are now certified organic or are in the process of certification
20% of breweries worldwide are involved in local sustainability certification programs
65% of breweries have adopted water-efficient cleaning technologies
The average annual water savings due to recycling and conservation measures in breweries is around 2 million liters
Over 30% of breweries now track their greenhouse gas emissions as part of sustainability reporting
50% of breweries globally are investigating or implementing zero waste practices
The use of sustainable water management practices can save a brewery up to 1 million liters of water annually
The implementation of circular economy practices in breweries reduces waste by up to 60%
Sustainable breweries have a 30% lower operational cost over five years compared to conventional breweries
Certification programs like LEED and B Corp are increasingly adopted by breweries to demonstrate sustainability commitments
In some regions, breweries can reduce their water footprint by as much as 40% via rainwater harvesting
About 50% of breweries have switched to biodegradable cleaning agents to minimize environmental impact
ReCycling of spent grains for animal feed or energy production reduces waste disposal costs by approximately 25%
Water-efficient irrigation on barley farms can cut water use by up to 50%, contributing to sustainability in raw material supply
The average greenhouse gas emission for a six-pack of beer is roughly 0.75 kg CO2e
Sustainable water management systems in breweries can reduce wastewater discharge by up to 60%
55% of craft breweries are now actively participating in climate action programs
The carbon dioxide released during beer bottling and packaging can be partially offset using biogenic CO2 capture systems
The adoption of sustainable logistics reduces transportation-related emissions by an average of 20%
The use of non-toxic cleaning chemicals in breweries has increased by 30% over the last five years

Environmental Sustainability and Water Management Interpretation

While the global beer industry contributes a modest 1% of carbon emissions, it's brewing up a storm of sustainability efforts—ranging from water-saving innovations and organic certifications to circular waste practices—that demonstrate a spirited commitment to reducing its environmental pint!

Market Trends and Consumer Preferences

Over 55% of breweries now participate in community sustainability initiatives
Men and women aged 25-40 are more likely to choose brands that prioritize sustainability, influencing industry shifts
Beer companies with sustainable practices tend to have 20% higher brand loyalty
75% of consumers in the US and Europe are willing to pay more for sustainably produced beer
Over 70% of breweries engaged in sustainability initiatives report a positive brand image impact
The total global market value for sustainable beer ingredients is projected to grow to $3.5 billion by 2026
40% of breweries have adopted eco-labels or sustainability certifications on their products
Consumer demand for transparency in sustainability practices has increased by 45% over the past three years

Market Trends and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

With over half of breweries embracing sustainability—driven by a generation eager to pay more for eco-friendly brews—it's clear that responsible practices are not only reshaping the industry's image and loyalty but are also fueling a booming $3.5 billion market for sustainable ingredients, making green beer not just a trend but a tastier investment in the planet’s future.

Sustainable Packaging and Recycling Practices

The use of recycled packaging materials in the beer industry has increased by over 25% in the past five years
The adoption of biodegradable bottle labels in the industry has increased by 40% over the last three years
Approximately 35% of breweries use bio-based or compostable packaging materials
The global market for eco-friendly beer packaging is expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2027
Sustainable packaging options can decrease the carbon footprint of bottled beer by up to 20%

Sustainable Packaging and Recycling Practices Interpretation

With a 25% surge in recycled packaging, a 40% rise in biodegradable labels, and 35% of breweries embracing eco-friendly materials—paving the way toward a $4.2 billion global market—it's clear that beer is bubbling over with sustainability efforts that could slash carbon footprints by a fifth, proving that even in brewing, going green is both smart and pour-fect.