Drinks company Diageo has announced an investment of more than €100 million toward decarbonising St James’s Gate, the brewery where Guinness is made. The plans are an “acceleration” toward Diageo’s aim to reach net-zero emissions at the brewery.

 

Through the investment, Diageo says St James’s Gate will phase out use of fossil fuels in direct brewing operations, as well as reducing Scope 1+2 GHG emissions generated by the site by more than 90 per cent. 

 

The plans have set 2030 as the goal to operated by renewable energy from grid-supplied electrical power heat pumps and biogas generated by a water recovery facility. The water production facility, which is planned to be added to the brewery, is expected to improve efficiency of water use.

 

A planning application for the decarbonisation project will be submitted to Dublin City Council later in 2024.

 

Diageo Global CEO Debra Crew announced the investment at an event attended by the Taoiseach Simon Harris; Peter Burke, minister for enterprise, trade, and employment; and CEO of Enterprise Ireland Leo Clancy. 

 

Crew commented: “St James’s Gate is an historic location for an iconic brand. 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.”

 

Diageo recently announced a series of new appointments to its sustainability leadership, including Kristin Hughes who joined the company as global head of sustainability.