How Does Drinks Giant Molson Coors Make Brewing Sustainable?

As one of the world's largest beverage companies, Molson Coors has a vast supply chain and a sizeable carbon footprint.

In an effort to lower its environmental impact, the North American firm – which owns brands including Coors and Carling – has embarked on an ambitious sustainability journey that covers everything from barley fields to beer glasses. 

Through its comprehensive ‘Our Imprint’ strategy, the drinks giant is transforming how it operates as it looks to achieve some bold targets that reflect both its globality and its commitment to responsible stewardship.

A framework for change

Launched in 2017 and updated in 2020, Molson Coors' Our Imprint strategy comprises a wide-ranging set of short, medium and long-term goals, many of which are set for evaluation this year.

The framework is built around two core pillars – People and Planet – with its environmental initiatives focusing on four critical areas: 

• Carbon reduction
• Water stewardship
• Sustainable packaging
• Responsible agricultural sourcing

The firm’s approach to these targets purposefully aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and its goals have been ratified by the Science Based Targets initiative, confirming that its emission reduction targets meet the ambitious standards laid out in the Paris Climate Agreement's 1.5C pathway.

Tackling the carbon problem

Molson Coors has set some ambitious carbon reduction targets. 

By the end of 2025 the company is aiming to cut absolute carbon emissions from its direct operations by 50% and reduce its supply chain emissions by 20% compared to 2016 levels, something which it had already confirmed for its UK operations in the 2024 financial year.

These targets extend across the company’s entire value chain, with packaging materials (which account for approximately 38% of the company's total carbon footprint) receiving special attention through a targeted 26% reduction goal.

Investing in renewables has been an important part of Molson Coors’ approach. 

All its Wisconsin operations, for example, now run on renewable electricity through programs like We Energies' Renewable Pathways, with the company becoming the first subscriber to this initiative. 

The modernisation of the firm’s breweries is well underway too, with its facility in Golden, Colorado a shining example. Its state-of-the-art equipment is expected to reduce energy usage by up to 30% while saving millions of gallons of water a year.

Water stewardship, packaging and farming

Conserving water resources is a huge responsibility for drinks companies the size of Molson Coors.

To this end, it has established a goal to improve water use efficiency in its large breweries by 22% compared to 2016, targeting a water-to-product ratio of 2.8 hectolitres per hectolitre. 

Several of its facilities, including its breweries in Trenton, Ohio and Fort Worth, Texas, have already achieved or are fast approaching this benchmark.

Another Molson Coors sustainability initiative is its commitment to eliminating single-use plastic rings from all its North American production facilities. 

This US$85m investment, announced in 2022, is transitioning four- and six-packs to sustainably sourced, recyclable fibreboard packaging.

The conversion, scheduled for completion by the end of this year and it makes Coors Light the largest beer brand in North America to take such a step.

Molson Coors is also working towards sourcing 100% of its barley and hops from sustainable suppliers. 

Through initiatives like the Molson Coors Growers Group in the UK, which includes more than 140 farmers, the company works with agricultural partners to improve water efficiency, soil health and biodiversity.

To help expedite this goal, the firm has created the ‘Grower Direct Portal’ in the US, where farmers provide field-level data on agricultural practices, allowing Molson’s team to monitor collective progress.

Leading the charge: Craig Woodburn

Guiding the company’s sustainability efforts across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific is Craig Woodburn.

With a background spanning industry, government and consultancy, as well as expertise in the circular economy, carbon management and supply chain sustainability, Craig is leading by example.

Since joining the firm in 2024, he has stressed the importance of data collection and supplier engagement in achieving the company's ambitious targets. 

“Data collection, accuracy and availability is a key priority for us and our suppliers and customers,” he says.

“Data provided by our suppliers will improve visibility of the trajectory needed to ensure we achieve net zero across our value chain by 2050.”

His focus on Molson Coors’ supply chain speaks to the idea that sustainability extends well beyond the brewery walls. 

• Interested in hearing more about this topic from Craig himself? Join us at Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit in London on 4-5 March 2026 for in-depth discussions with leading sustainability experts including Craig himself. Secure your ticket now and save over £200.