Japan: Sapporo, the first brewery in the world, to show CO2 emissions on each can

Sapporo Breweries Ltd. said on June 19th it will list the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacture of each can on the labels of its flagship beer product, Japan’s Corporate News communicated.

Starting in March next year, the major Japanese brewer will indicate how much CO2 is emitted from the time ingredients are planted to the time the can is disposed of on "Kuro Label" 350-mililiter cans.

According to the company, no other beer maker in the world is announcing its product's carbon footprint in such a way, and the company sees it as a measure against global warming.

Sapporo Breweries can accurately figure out the amount of CO2 emissions because it fully controls the beer-making process, including barley and hop production, which are entirely undertaken by contracted farmers, company officials said.

The move by Sapporo Breweries, part of Sapporo Holdings Ltd., is in line with the possible nationwide implementation of carbon footprints in Japan.

The Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry launched a task force this month made up of academics, food and food package makers and retailers to establish rules on CO2 emission labeling by March next year.

19 June, 2008