Ten beverage companies have collaborated to form REfresh Alliance, a consortium which will aim to accelerate renewable energy adoption in the drinks industry’s supply chain.

 

The programme is managed by Enel X, an energy solution provider, which connects consortium participants with renewable energy providers. The programme will also help the members prepare to adopt renewable energy through education.  

 

The Alliance says that by “aggregating demand for renewable energy” it can provide cross-industry solutions harder to come by on an individual company basis. The Alliance focuses on reducing “Scope 3 emissions”, which are those produced by a company’s supply chain. 

 

Current members of the REfresh Alliance include Bacardi, Carlsberg, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Heineken, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Pernod Ricard, the Coca-Cola Company, and Whyte & Mackay.

 

Hervé Le Faou, chief procurement officer of Heineken, said: “Scope 3 emissions are one of the biggest challenges that the industry faces in delivering on our Net Zero ambitions. We must work together to identify areas of our supply chains where we can pool our resources to accelerate this transition for our suppliers. We look forward to working with other beverage companies to achieve this and accelerate the decarbonization of our industry.”

 

Jane Liang, chief procurement officer of Diageo, said: “The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time and the transition to Net Zero is becoming increasingly important. However, there is only so much we can do as individual businesses. The REfresh Alliance will drive collective action within the industry to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. We are calling on all companies and suppliers within the industry to join us and support the industry in its transition to Net Zero.”

 

REfresh Alliance will initially launch in Europe and North America, using existing networks in these locations, before looking to expand into other markets.