The news comes as the drinks giant unveiled a 10-year partnership with The Rivers Trust to help restore rivers, wetlands and floodplains near its Rugby manufacturing site.
The move forms part of the company’s wider global commitment to replenish 100% of water consumed at production sites in high-risk areas by 2032.
Carlsberg Britvic will invest in large-scale, nature-based solutions designed to improve the health of local rivers and strengthen the resilience of the wider catchment.
The partnership will support the delivery of multiple projects across the Warwickshire Avon catchment, around 15 miles from Carlsberg Britvic’s Rugby site.
Work on rivers including the Leam will help reconnect and restore floodplains, create new wetland habitats and improve the landscape’s ability to store and slow water flows.
The locations have been chosen because of their importance within the wider river system, poor ecological condition, particularly for fish and invertebrate populations, and position upstream of several communities vulnerable to flooding.
The projects will be delivered by Severn Rivers Trust, The Rivers Trust’s member trust for the region.
The first project will begin in October, reconnecting the River Alne with its natural floodplain and creating a network of storage wetlands that will help slow, store and manage water more naturally across the landscape.
This will reduce flood risk for downstream communities including Henley-in-Arden and Alcester, while enhancing biodiversity through the creation of new wetland habitats and woodland areas, the company said.
The work forms part of Carlsberg Britvic’s commitment to replenish 100% of the water used at its Rugby site – approximately one million m3 per year – by 2032, with an interim milestone to replenish 400,000 m3 per year by 2028.
Based on current assumptions, the projects are estimated to replenish more than 328,000m³ of water a year. This will be regularly monitored to ensure the actions undertaken continue to perform as expected.
Paul Davies, chief executive officer, Carlsberg Britvic, said: “Water is at the heart of every drink we make, so protecting this precious resource is not only important for our business, it’s a responsibility we take seriously. This project proves that investing in the resilience of our business goes hand in hand with investing in the long-term health of the environments and communities around us.”
He added: “Our partnership with The Rivers Trust will play a key role in turning our ambitions into practical action, working with experts and local stakeholders to support the health of the wider catchment.”
Mark Lloyd, chief executive officer, The Rivers Trust, said: “This summer has provided another stark reminder that water cannot be taken for granted. Across the UK, we’re seeing record temperatures and devastating impacts of pollution and drought on our rivers, making water resilience more important than ever for businesses, communities and the environment alike.”
“Through partnerships like this with Carlsberg Britvic, we can deliver practical, nature-based solutions that help restore rivers and their catchments, support biodiversity and create measurable water benefits that will be felt for years to come.
George Clark, programme manager, Severn Rivers Trust, said: “By giving water more space and helping the landscape hold onto it for longer, this work can support wildlife, improve river health and help build resilience to both flooding and drought. It’s a great example of what long-term investment in our rivers can make possible.”
The announcement comes as major brewers increase investment in environmental initiatives as part of broader sustainability strategies.
Heineken recently launched a new regenerative farming programme in the UK as part of its global sustainability strategy.
