Ten global beverage companies have joined forces under a new industry-wide consortium, called REfresh Alliance, which is designed to help accelerate renewable energy adoption across the industry’s supply chain.
The new initiative invites additional companies from across the beverage industry to pool and scale their resources to remove barriers to renewable energy adoption in the supply chain, provide education on best market practices and support the industry’s transition to Net Zero.
Companies currently part of the REfresh Alliance include:
• Bacardi
• Carlsberg
• Constellation Brands
• Diageo
• HEINEKEN
• Molson Coors Beverage Company
• Pernod Ricard
• The Coca-Cola Company
• Whyte & Mackay
The program is managed by leading energy solution provider, Enel X. Through its Advisory Services division, Enel X connects the participants with renewable energy providers and supports renewable energy transactions, aiming to accelerate renewable energy adoption. The program also features a dedicated educational platform to help program participants prepare for renewable energy adoption. These features, along with aggregating demand for renewable energy, will help the Alliance to provide cost effective and targeted solutions across the industry in a way that can’t be achieved through individual action.
Scope 3 emissions, which are not directly produced by a company but from its supply chain, often account for approximately 90% of a beverage company’s carbon footprint. Suppliers continue to face a number of barriers to decarbonization. For example, lack of capabilities, access to information and availability of economically viable projects. REfresh has already engaged with more than 300 suppliers to discuss their involvement in the program as it aims to support their adoption of renewable energy solutions.
REfresh intends to initially launch in the mature renewable energy markets of Europe and North America, where it will be able to use existing networks to accelerate impact in support of the industry’s decarbonization efforts. As it continues to grow, the consortium will look to expand to other markets and welcome businesses from across the beverage industry to join it in supporting suppliers in their decarbonization journeys.