Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Monday 23 July 2018

Africa sees 1st carbon-neutral brewery amid climate concerns

By NEIL SHAW
Associated Press
DARLING, South Africa (AP)
— A South African brewery
is said to be the first in Afri-
ca to go carbon-neutral as
more businesses across the
continent adjust to climate
change, and as consum-
ers become more careful
about the products they
buy.
Darling Brewery, in a vil-
lage near Cape Town, de-
creased its carbon footprint
by using water and energy
more efficiently — then
brought it to zero in April by
purchasing carbon credits
at a reforestation project in
Zimbabwe.
The brewery’s overhaul
comes as South Africa’s
Cape region emerges from
an extreme drought that
saw the city of Cape Town,
population 4 million, ration-
ing water and warning of
a “Day Zero” when taps
would run dry.
The crisis has eased amid
water conservation efforts. In this June 5, 2018, photo, bottles of freshly bottled beer stand in the Darling Brewery in Darling, South Africa.
“I don’t think a lot of peo- Associated Press
ple understand what car- ern Cape.” vironmental issues via the South Africa’s middle class tel said. As more countries
bon-neutral means or what Greenhouse gas emissions labels on the 17 beers it and above can afford. put such taxes into place,
impact all the businesses have damaging environ- produces, educating drink- “I think what Darling Brew- large breweries could
around us are having on mental impacts such as ers about Africa’s threat- ery has done is really great move toward carbon neu-
the environment,” said the global warming, acid rain ened wildlife. for the industry,” trality as well. Darling Brew-
brewery’s owner, Kevin and ozone layer damage, Now the labels tell drinkers Corne said, adding that ery’s brew master, Rene
Wood. according to the sustain- about the brewery’s car- the shift to carbon-neutral du Toit, said going carbon-
“The damage being done ability consultant who con- bon-neutral status. could get other breweries neutral is not just about do-
by climate change has a ducted a greenhouse gas “They’ll start connect- thinking about sustainability ing the right thing.
lot to do with our carbon audit on the brewery, An- ing the dots and change measures. “They’re lead- “A lot of the measures you
footprint. dre Harms. their consumption habits ing the way.” put in place to reduce your
Just look at the extreme Darling Brewery was al- to more environmentally Globally there are only a carbon footprint . make
weather here in the West- ready known for raising en- friendly products,” Wood handful of carbon-neutral economic sense in the long
said. breweries, experts say. run: You’re paying less for
Darling Brewery opened Sustainability consultant your water, you’re paying
in 2010 as the craft beer Franz Rentel confirmed that less for your energy, you’re
sector exploded in South Darling Brewery is the first putting out less solid waste.”
Africa. When the brewery carbon-neutral one in Af- Sitting at one of Cape
opened there were 30 oth- rica. He said he thinks more Town’s trendy bars, beer
ers and today there are companies will follow its ex- lover Nicole McCreedy
around 215, according to ample. said choosing to drink a
beer journalist Lucy Corne. South Africa will introduce carbon-neutral Darling
She said craft brewery con- a carbon credit tax by Jan- Brewery beer is about sup-
sumers are more likely to uary, which will affect large porting a progressive South
be aware of their carbon emitters and is expected African initiative.
footprint than regular beer to make products from “We’ll see far more of
drinkers, as craft beer is a carbon-neutral companies (that) globally, I hope,” she
niche product that only “the cheaper option,” Ren- said.q