A new tool to track carbon emissions across a tank’s lifecycle
The carbon footprint of your brewing tank just got easier to measure — and harder to ignore. Ziemann Holvrieka has introduced a new data-driven certification tool that calculates the total CO₂ emissions tied to its new tanks, from raw materials to delivery. It’s one more step toward giving craft brewers the environmental accountability customers — and regulators — increasingly expect. The new system even records emissions from raw material sourcing, production energy usage, and transportation. These figures are compiled into a standardized certificate breweries can use in sustainability audits and ESG reports. For tank buyers, it’s a data-backed way to evaluate and reduce upstream emissions. From the press release:
“We want to support our customers in identifying emissions, achieving their net zero targets in the supply chain and communicating this,” says Rebecca Hooper. She is Group Sustainability Manager at CIMC Liquid Process Technologies (CLPT), the holding organization to which Ziemann Holvrieka also belongs.
Unlike broader carbon calculators, this tool offers tank-specific metrics with precision. It factors in material usage, energy, logistics, and more. The end result is a consistent CO₂ value per tank — one breweries can track and report. Ziemann’s goal? Help breweries reduce emissions and hit net-zero targets across their supply chain. The company says it already uses similar metrics for full brewing systems and plans to expand the tool to other products like copper stills and skid systems.
“There are hardly any comparable solutions on the market at the moment,” says Hooper. “We already have solutions to quantify the energy, water, waste and CO2 savings for our new products and to calculate the CO2 footprint for complete systems.”
AMBA launches first-ever industry-wide barley sustainability effort
In other eco data news, the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA) recently launched the Baselining Barley project — the first major collaborative effort to quantify the environmental footprint of U.S. barley farming. The project tracks real-world farm data across five core metrics: greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and input use. By tapping into actual farm records — not models or estimates — the effort delivers accurate Scope 3 data brewers can use to benchmark sustainability. That’s critical as carbon reporting requirements tighten across global markets. Baseline data for the 2024 crop year will be shared in June 2025, with a continuous improvement plan to follow.
Why it matters: carbon tracking is smart brewing
From barley fields to stainless steel tanks, carbon accounting is creeping into every corner of the brewing process. For craft brewers, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Tracking emissions across operations and supply chains isn’t just good for the planet. It improves resource efficiency, reduces waste, and provides data to back up sustainability claims. Apparently, a bottle of beer can carry a footprint of up to 900g CO₂e — a number that can shrink significantly with smarter processes. Data collection also drives cost savings. Tools like Zevero’s sustainability dashboards and Green Business Bureau’s EcoScorecard help breweries monitor energy, emissions, and supplier practices — and communicate those gains to customers.
Useful web resources for craft brewers
- Zevero’s Brewing Blog
Tips for tracking and reducing environmental impact across brewing operations.
Read more → - Green Business Bureau’s Starter Guide
Practical tips on cutting water, energy, waste, and emissions in small breweries.
Read more → - Sustainability Benchmarking Reports from the Brewers Association
Industry data on water use, waste reduction, and energy efficiency.
Read more → - Craft Brewery Sustainability Analysis (WPI Report)
In-depth review of craft brewery sustainability through the ISO 26000 framework.
Download PDF →
Bottom line: beers with a smaller footprint can build bigger brands
Measuring your environmental footprint is no longer a box-checking exercise. It’s about becoming a smarter, more efficient brewery. It’s about protecting the resources your beer depends on — and using sustainability to stand out in a crowded market. Tools like Ziemann Holvrieka’s CO₂ certificate and AMBA’s Baselining Barley initiative make it easier for craft brewers to turn sustainability from a talking point into a business advantage. Want to be part of the solution? Start tracking, start sharing — and start building a brewery brand that’s brewed to last.
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