Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigeria’s foremost brewing company, continues to progress its ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in production by 2030 across its operations nationwide.
The Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uzodinma Odenigbo, stated this during a media parley/engagement session recently in Lagos.
Speaking during the parley, Odenigbo explained that the company has made significant investments in renewable energy solutions such as biomass, solar and energy-efficiency projects across its breweries to reduce carbon emissions across its breweries, and have signed power purchase agreements to this effect.
He explained that over the last few years, the company had signed many power purchase agreements with different renewable energy firms to reduce its dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
He disclosed that the company has spent over N2.5 billion supporting its carbon reduction ambition across its operations as part of the Brew a Better World sustainability strategy.
In addition, he noted that the company has committed considerable resources by contributing to water-replenishment projects in water-stressed areas, including support for the Olokomeji reforestation initiative, where over 300,000 trees have been planted in Ogun State, Nigeria, through external partnerships to support local watershed restoration.
“As a company, we are advancing sustainability outcomes through our Brew a Better World initiatives. Over the past few years, we have made notable investments in renewable energy as part of our transition toward net-zero operations that many people are unaware of. We are also signing power purchase agreements to further reduce our national carbon footprint and progress toward our long-term net-zero ambition,” he said.
He stated that the company will continue to empower its host communities by investing in capacity building for its people and expanding its operations to create employment opportunities. He disclosed that the company recently invested over N200 million in skill acquisition and constructed a cassava milling plant in Kaduna and Awo-Omamma respectively.
He noted that the company, in collaboration with other members of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) and in partnership with the FRSC continues to implement its annual advocacy campaign promoting responsible alcohol consumption among commercial drivers, with potential to reach up to a thousand drivers by December 2025.
Reiterating the company’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and responsible production practices across its value chain, the Corporate Affairs Director emphasised the significance of the company’s long-standing investment in reusable glass packaging, which supports packaging circularity and aligns with global sustainability practices.