Energy & Climate Change
Update on publication of BIER’s Sector Guidance for GHG Reporting
Climate change legislation is expected to be passed in the next two years in the U.S. and is developing quickly elsewhere in the world. Numerous product carbon labeling schemes are under consideration across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Beverage companies are challenged by changing regulations, and obtaining an intimate understanding of their carbon impacts is more important than ever. Through BIER’s energy efficiency and climate change mitigation agenda, members are able to work together to inform the development of these policy initiatives, speaking as an allied industry with a single voice and measurement methodology.
The Roundtable is facilitating an Energy & Climate Change agenda focused on the following core activities:
- Developing Beverage Industry Sector Guidance
- Sharing Best Practices
- Monitoring External Initiatives and Regulatory Trends
Sector Guidance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting
If the beverage industry is united in its approach to measuring and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the industry as a whole is more likely to play a constructive role in both reducing GHG emissions and providing helpful progress reports to the consumer. The purpose of the guidance is to provide beverage industry specific information and examples that support the requirements of existing GHG reporting protocols and result in aligned methodologies within the beverage sector.
Best Practice Sharing
Best practice sharing is promoted on working group teleconferences and during bi-annual Roundtable meetings. Topics are focused upon energy efficiency and GHG quantification. Technical details from each best practice sharing session are captured in topic specific guidance documents which are made available to each member company for internal use.
Knowledge Management
Climate change research, issues, and pressures are dynamic with a rapidly evolving playing field of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), partnership initiatives, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory changes. BIER is working to collectively monitor and engage with key stakeholders on key issues and use this information to support company and industry-wide position statements and decision-making.