Spotted: As concern for the climate increases, businesses everywhere are working on innovative ways to become carbon neutral. Recently, beverage giant Diageo announced plans to invest €200 million to build Ireland’s first carbon-neutral brewery. The new brewery will brew lagers and ales on a greenfield site in Newbridge, County Kildare. When complete, the brewery will have the capacity to brew 2 million hectolitres of beer, making it Ireland’s second-largest brewing operation.

The new facility will be powered entirely with renewable energy, as well as using the latest process technology to minimise energy and water consumption. The brewery will save an estimated 15,000 tonnes of annual carbon emissions compared to what a similar-sized standard brewery would produce. Construction is expected to begin this year, with brewing operations starting in 2024.

The new brewery is also positive news for the economy of Newbridge and surrounding areas in Kildare, with up to 1,000 jobs created during the construction of the site and 50 permanent positions once it is up and running. Both Diageo and the Irish government hopes the brewery will serve as an inspiration for other businesses.

In going carbon neutral, Diageo is joining a growing number of businesses and industries that are using innovative design and building techniques to save on carbon emissions and water use. Some recent developments in this space include carbon-negative cement production and even carbon-neutral headphones. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff