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Summary

A water footprint encompasses the entire value chain, from crop cultivation & processing, through to brewing & distributing the beer

Report Highlights

WWF and SABMiller unveil water footprint of beer

SABMiller and WWF-UK jointly publish a report which explains the water footprint of the whole value chain for SABMiller’s beers in South Africa and the Czech Republic. The report - “Water Footprinting: Identifying & Addressing Water Risks in the Value Chain” - is available for download here.

SABMiller and WWF are working together on water footprinting to better understand the quantity, efficiency and geographical context of water used to produce beer in order that this resource can then be better managed. The two organisations are using the insight provided by water footprinting to develop targeted programmes to improve water management.

A water footprint encompasses the entire value chain, from crop cultivation and processing, through to brewing and distributing the beer and details the total water input, both direct and indirect. The report reveals that in South Africa, the total water footprint is equivalent to 155 litres of water for every 1 litre of beer. While in SABMiller’s Czech operation the overall water footprint is significantly smaller at 45 litres of water to every 1 litre of beer. In both cases, the vast majority of this (over 90%) comes from the cultivation of crops, both local and imported.

However, the water footprint figure itself does not give the whole picture. More important is the context - where it is used, what proportion of the area’s total water resource it represents, and whether water scarcity creates risks to the environment, communities and businesses now or in the future.

SABMiller is one of the world’s largest brewing companies with brewing interests and distribution agreements across six continents. WWF is the world’s leading environmental organisation founded in 1961. WWF-UK is one of nearly 50 offices around the world.
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