Beverage Sustainability News

From Dialogue to Direction: Advancing Collective Action in BIER’s 20th Year

BIER — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:23:00 GMT

As BIER enters its 20th year, the Spring Roundtable in Leuven, Belgium, brought members together at a moment that feels both reflective and forward-looking.

Hosted by AB InBev, the Roundtable created space for what BIER has always done best: bringing industry leaders together in a pre-competitive environment to work through complex environmental challenges with honesty, rigor, and a shared commitment to progress.

That spirit was present throughout, not just in what was discussed but also in how members showed up: open, engaged, and willing to move beyond high-level ambition to practical, collective action.

Grounded in Reality: From Challenges to Action

The Roundtable opened with a clear focus on regenerative agriculture, recognizing real-world systems shaped by constraints, trade-offs, and competing priorities.

Members engaged directly with the challenges: supplier engagement, execution complexity, and the realities of scaling across diverse geographies. What emerged was a shared understanding of what is actually getting in the way. From there, the conversation shifted into action.

Small group discussions focused on co-creating practical approaches to address the most pressing challenges. This is where BIER’s model becomes tangible: scientific rigor paired with shared expertise, resulting in solutions that no single company could develop in isolation.

The dialogue then expanded to farmer wellbeing and zero-deforestation alignment: two areas where definitions, frameworks, and expectations continue to evolve. By examining leading approaches and early regulatory signals, members worked toward greater consistency, while also acknowledging where gaps remain.

Systems Thinking in Practice: Climate, Water, and Regulation

Day two reinforced that environmental challenges do not sit neatly in silos.

Discussions on water security highlighted the direct link between catchment-level stewardship and long-term business resilience. Members explored the trade-offs involved in managing water-related risks while maintaining growth and community trust, a balance that requires both technical understanding and practical decision-making.

On climate, the focus turned to the forthcoming updates to theSBTi Net-Zero Standard (V2.0)and theGreenhouse Gas Protocol’s land-sector guidance. These frameworks are actively shaping how companies measure, manage, and communicate emissions across increasingly complex value chains.

At the same time, regulatory developments, from theCSRD OmnibustoUK Sustainability Reporting StandardsandCalifornia Climate Rules, underscored the importance of shared interpretation and alignment. In a rapidly evolving landscape, clarity is built through dialogue.

Emerging from these sessions was a shift from information-sharing to coordination, including refining how ideas are proposed, prioritized, and advanced to enable collective initiatives to scale effectively across the membership.

Leadership That Reflects the Moment

This year’s Roundtable also reflected the leadership guiding BIER into its next chapter.

We were pleased to welcomeDavid Grant of PepsiCoandHarriet Cullum of Diageoas BIER’s 2026 Steering Committee Chair and Co-Chair, respectively.

David Grant steps into the role of Chair with a steady, pragmatic lens shaped by deep experience across BIER and the broader beverage sector. His focus on accountability, prioritization, and translating intention into measurable outcomes has already strengthened the organization’s approach to collective work.

Along with him, Harriet brings a systems-level perspective across water, agriculture, nature, and ESG performance, grounded in both corporate and not-for-profit experience. Her emphasis on data, transparency, and communication aligns closely with BIER’s approach and the increasing need to translate complexity into action.

Together, their leadership reflects clarity, discipline, and a continued commitment to meaningful collaboration.

From Roundtable to Resources: How the Work Moves Forward

The Roundtables, alongside BIER’s workstreams, are where shared challenges are surfaced, debated, and refined, and where the foundation is built for the tools andresourcesthat support the broader membership.

From GHG guidance to water stewardship frameworks, benchmarking studies, and playbooks, BIER’s resources are shaped by the conversations and insights that emerge through this collective process.

This is how progress scales:

Dialogue becomes alignment
Alignment becomes guidance
Guidance becomes action

And over time, that action becomes a measurable improvement across the sector.

20 Years of Collaboration — and What Comes Next

Established in 2006, BIER has spent two decades bringing globally recognized beverage companies together to improve environmental performance across water, climate, reporting, circularity, and nature.

What has remained consistent is the belief that no single company can solve these challenges alone.

The Spring 2026 Roundtable was a clear reflection of that; not just in the topics discussed, but in the willingness to engage, question, and move forward together.

As BIER enters its next chapter, the path ahead is not about more conversation for its own sake. It is about continuing to translate shared expertise into practical, science-based solutions that deliver real impact.

Welcome Harriet Cullum, BIER’s 2026 Steering Committee Co-Chair - BIER

BIER — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the BIER Member Spotlight series, highlighting the leaders advancing environmental sustainability across BIER member companies and the global beverage sector.

As the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable enters its 20th year, we are pleased to welcome Harriet Cullum, Global Head of Water, Agriculture and Nature Strategy at Diageo, as BIER’s 2026 Steering Committee Co-Chair, serving alongside Chair David Grant.

Harriet is the Global Head of Water, Nature and Agriculture at Diageo, leading a team of talented sustainability professionals focused on integrated strategy development and execution, in partnership with functional and market teams. This work helps drive performance toward Diageo’s Spirit of Progress plan, supporting continuous evolution in a fast-moving regulatory and societal landscape, and contributing to broader environmental and social progress.

With a career spanning environmental and social sustainability in corporates and not-for-profits in Europe and Asia Pacific, Harriet brings a strong global perspective and a deep understanding of how data, transparency and communication can accelerate meaningful change. She is a passionate advocate for sustainability and impact storytelling, and firmly believes in leveraging data to engage stakeholders and drive action.

Harriet’s systems-level approach, spanning water, agriculture, nature, and ESG performance, aligns closely with BIER’s mission to advance practical, science-based solutions through collaboration. Her experience and leadership will be a valuable asset as BIER continues to support its members in navigating complex environmental challenges and strengthening collective impact.

“I am delighted to be taking on the role of BIER Co-Chair, supporting David in his role as Chair. I am passionate about the power of industry collaboration to make progress on complex sustainability challenges, so it’s a real privilege to support the important role BIER plays in this for the beverage industry.”” ~ Harriet Cullum, Global Head of Water, Nature and Agriculture Strategy

As BIER looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, Harriet’s role as Co-Chair comes at a pivotal moment, building on two decades of industry collaboration while helping guide the organization’s next chapter of strategic evolution.

“Harriet is a thoughtful and inclusive leader with a pragmatic, systems-driven approach and a clear focus on action. That mindset will be incredibly valuable as BIER builds momentum and expands its collective impact.”~ Erica Pann, Executive Director of BIER

We are delighted to welcome Harriet into this leadership role and look forward to her contributions as BIER continues to advance environmental sustainability across the global beverage sector.

Recognizing the Leadership of David Grant, 2025 BIER Co-Chair and Incoming 2026 Chair - BIER

BIER — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

As we reflect on the year behind us and look ahead to 2026, we are pleased to recognize and sincerely thank David Grant, BIER’s 2025 Steering Committee Co-Chair and incoming 2026 Chair, for his leadership, experience, and steady guidance.

David brings deep institutional knowledge and long-standing experience within both BIER and the broader beverage industry. His familiarity with the organization, combined with his extensive industry tenure, allows him to quickly cut to what matters most and keep discussions focused on practical outcomes.

As Co-Chair, David has been consistently pragmatic and thoughtful in his approach. He brings a high level of rigor to decision-making and a clear-eyed perspective on what it takes to move from intention to action. He is particularly focused on ensuring that BIER’s work reflects real commitment by translating shared goals into tangible collaboration and measurable progress.

David has been a strong advocate for aligning resources and effort with stated priorities, encouraging members to engage deeply and supporting initiatives that drive substantive collective action rather than symbolic alignment. His emphasis on accountability and follow-through has been invaluable as BIER continues to evolve and strengthen its impact.

David’s leadership throughout 2025 builds on a strong foundation of engagement with BIER and the beverage sector more broadly. In his role at PepsiCo, he leads global climate and water solutions, focusing on watershed health, operational resilience, agricultural systems, and identifying and scaling innovative technologies that advance sustainability outcomes. This integrated, systems-level perspective has been a valuable asset to BIER’s Steering Committee discussions and strategic direction.

As BIER enters its 20th year, David steps into the role of Chair at a pivotal moment for the organization and the sector. His experience, discipline, and commitment to meaningful collaboration position BIER well for the year ahead. We are grateful for David’s contributions as Co-Chair and look forward to his continued leadership as he assumes the role of Chair in 2026.

Thank you, David, for your dedication, clarity, and steady leadership, and for helping guide BIER toward its next chapter of collective impact.

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable Welcomes Kirin Holdings Company, Limited as New Member - BIER

BIER — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn., January 20, 2026 – The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is pleased to announce that Kirin Holdings Company has joined its global coalition of leading beverage companies working collaboratively to advance environmental sustainability across the beverage sector.

Headquartered in Japan, Kirin Holdings Company brings more than a century of innovation and stewardship to BIER’s collaborative platform. Since its founding in 1907, the Kirin Group has evolved from its origins in brewing to become a diversified global company spanning Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, and Health Science. Across its businesses, Kirin leverages fermentation and biotechnology to deliver products and services that enhance quality of life while addressing pressing social and environmental challenges.

Kirin’s environmental strategy is guided by a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact across its value chain. The company prioritizes climate action, responsible water stewardship, resource efficiency, and the sustainable procurement of raw materials. Through its environmental materiality framework, Kirin is advancing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen water resource management, minimize waste, and promote circular approaches to packaging and production.

In parallel, Kirin places a strong emphasis on sustainable supply chains, working closely with suppliers to address environmental and social risks, promote responsible sourcing, and enhance transparency. These efforts reflect Kirin’s belief that long-term business resilience depends on collaboration across industries, regions, and value chains.

The addition of Kirin’s membership in BIER further supports these commitments by providing a collaborative forum for exchanging best practices, aligning methodologies, and engaging with peers on shared environmental priorities. Through BIER, Kirin will contribute to and benefit from collective efforts focused on water stewardship, climate action, sustainability disclosure, circular systems, and nature-positive strategies, helping accelerate progress across the global beverage industry.

“BIER is built on the principle that meaningful environmental progress happens when companies work together,” said Erica Pann, Executive Director of BIER. “Kirin’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible supply chain management strengthens our collective ability to address complex environmental challenges facing the beverage sector.”

Through the market leadership of its members, BIER continues to serve as a trusted, collaborative voice for environmental sustainability in the beverage industry. By advancing credible technical guidance, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and engaging proactively on emerging challenges, BIER helps its members strengthen performance, build stakeholder trust, and contribute to more sustainable outcomes across the value chain.

Media Contacts:

Erica Pann, Executive Director, BIER – Erica.Pann@anteagroup.us

About BIER
BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Formed in 2006, BIER is a common voice across the beverage sector, speaking to influence global standards on environmental sustainability aspects most relevant to the sector, affect change both up and down the supply chain, and share best practices that raise the bar for environmental performance of the industry. By doing so, BIER is able to monitor data and trends, engage with key stakeholders, develop best practices, and guide a course of action for the future. BIER members include Anheuser-Busch InBev, Asahi Group Holdings, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Heaven Hill Brands, Heineken, Keurig Dr Pepper, Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, Molson Coors, Monster Energy, Ocean Spray Cranberries, PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard and Suntory Global Spirits. For more information, visit www.bieroundtable.com.

About Kirin Holdings Company, Limited

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is an international company that operates in the Food & Beverages domain (Food & Beverages businesses), Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across the globe.

Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which continue to be global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on boosting its Health Science domain.

Under the Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the Kirin Group aims to become “A global leader in CSV* creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals.” Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create both social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value.

*　Creating Shared Value. Combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

Recognizing Nicolas Clerget, BIER’s 2025 Steering Committee Chair - BIER

BIER — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

As we reflect on the past year, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) would like to recognize and sincerely thank Nicolas Clerget, Global Director of Net Zero Carbon Strategy at HEINEKEN, for his outstanding leadership as BIER’s 2025 Steering Committee Chair.

Throughout his tenure, Nicolas brought an exceptional level of industry insight, strategic perspective, and deep engagement to BIER’s leadership. He demonstrated a rare ability to see both the immediate realities facing the beverage sector and the longer-term shifts shaping its future. His perspective consistently helped the Steering Committee and broader membership think more clearly and ambitiously about what meaningful progress looks like.

Nicolas was highly engaged with both the Steering Committee and the BIER team. He came to discussions well prepared, asked thoughtful, probing questions, and offered perspectives grounded in practical experience while remaining oriented toward long-term impact. He served as an invaluable sounding board, helping to pressure-test ideas, sharpen priorities, and ensure that conversations stayed focused on outcomes that matter.

Under Nicolas’s leadership, BIER advanced several vital initiatives that strengthened collaboration and extended the organization’s reach. This included supporting the organization of the BIER European Summit in Sevilla , which fostered deeper dialogue across the industry and created space for engagement beyond BIER’s core membership. Nicolas also encouraged outreach to non-BIER companies, helping broaden participation in industry platforms and reinforcing BIER’s role as a convening forum for shared learning and collective action.

Perhaps most notably, Nicolas brought a forward-thinking mindset to his role as Chair. He encouraged proactive dialogue around emerging issues and supported BIER’s efforts to begin shaping its 2030 roadmap, emphasizing the importance of pairing long-term vision with concrete goals. His leadership helped ensure that strategic discussions remained grounded in execution, accountability, and real-world impact.

Through his guidance, Nicolas helped foster a constructive, solutions-oriented culture within the Steering Committee, one where companies could engage candidly, align on priorities, and collaborate on shared challenges. His leadership reinforced BIER’s role as a trusted forum where members can collectively raise the bar for environmental performance across the beverage sector.

As BIER continues to build on nearly two decades of collaboration and impact, Nicolas’s stewardship in 2025 has strengthened the organization and positioned it well for the work ahead. His commitment, insight, and leadership have left a lasting mark on BIER and its community.

We are deeply grateful for Nicolas’s time, dedication, and thoughtful leadership. Thank you, Nicolas, for your service as Chair and for the meaningful contributions you have made to advancing environmental sustainability across the beverage industry.

Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) Announces Celine Morris as Associate Director - BIER

BIER — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

St. Paul, Minnesota – Dec. 16, 2025 – The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is pleased to announce the appointment of Celine Morris as its new Associate Director, effective January 2026. In this expanded leadership role, Celine will help guide BIER’s strategic direction, strengthen cross-member collaboration, and advance the organization’s mission to drive environmental sustainability across the global beverage sector. Her promotion reflects both her demonstrated leadership and BIER’s continued commitment to operational excellence and industry-leading impact.

Celine has served as BIER’s Program Manager for the past year while also working as a Senior Manager at Antea Group and an Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Credentialed Specialist. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in supporting BIER’s 2025 workstreams, member engagement, and technical initiatives. Her work has contributed directly to enhanced coordination across member companies and the delivery of high-quality, data-driven outputs.

Throughout 2025, Celine supported the execution of BIER’s Spring and Fall Roundtable Meetings, where members engaged in forward-thinking discussions and collaborative problem-solving across critical environmental topics, including nature-positive strategies, advanced methods for measuring water replenishment co-benefits, exploration of breakthroughs in renewable thermal energy solutions, and best practices for designing and implementing Collective Action water projects. Additionally, Celine strengthened member readiness through BIER’s Regulatory Round-Up and Ad-Hoc Sessions, which she helped coordinate and facilitate. Her work ensured that members remained aligned, informed, and equipped to respond to emerging sustainability challenges.

As Associate Director, Celine will continue to serve as a key liaison between BIER’s global membership, technical workstreams, and partner organizations. She will support Executive Director Erica Pann in providing strategic leadership across BIER’s technical focus areas, including advancing water stewardship, driving climate action, strengthening sustainability reporting, promoting circular systems, and supporting nature and biodiversity efforts across the sector. In this role, she will also help ensure operational excellence, effective governance, and strong member collaboration, while contributing to BIER’s long-term strategic roadmap and alignment between member priorities and technical workstream execution.

“Celine has been instrumental in driving BIER’s work forward and strengthening our engagement model,” said Pann. “Her technical expertise, program leadership, and commitment to collaboration make her an outstanding fit for this role.” Pann added, “We are confident that Celine’s leadership will continue to elevate BIER’s impact across the beverage sector.”

BIER congratulates Celine on this well-deserved appointment and looks forward to her continued leadership in advancing industry-wide sustainability progress.

For more information, please contact: Erica Pann, BIER Executive Director Erica.Pann@anteagroup.us

About BIER
BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Formed in 2006, BIER is a common voice across the beverage sector, speaking to influence global standards on environmental sustainability aspects most relevant to the sector, affect change both up and down the supply chain, and share best practices that raise the bar for environmental performance of the industry. By doing so, BIER is able to monitor data and trends, engage with key stakeholders, develop best practices, and guide a course of action for the future. BIER members include Anheuser-Busch InBev, Asahi Group Holdings, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Heaven Hill Brands, Heineken, Keurig Dr Pepper, LION, Molson Coors, Monster Energy, Ocean Spray Cranberries, PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard and Suntory Global Spirits. For more information, visit www.bieroundtable.com.

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable Welcomes New Member Heaven Hill Brands - BIER

BIER — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is pleased to announce that Heaven Hill Brands has joined its global coalition of beverage industry leaders committed to advancing environmental sustainability.

As the largest independent, family-owned distilled spirits company in the United States, Heaven Hill brings a unique and valuable perspective to BIER’s collaborative platform. Headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky, the company has been producing iconic American whiskeys and spirits since 1935, maintaining a deep legacy of craftsmanship, environmental responsibility, and community stewardship.

Heaven Hill’s 2030 Environmental Sustainability Strategy demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting the communities and natural resources that make its business possible. The Strategy sets ambitious goals to reduce carbon and water intensity, advance sustainable packaging, and support natural conservation.

Heaven Hill’s membership marks an exciting milestone at a time of growing momentum as BIER continues to advance its technical leadership and collaborative impact across the beverage sector. Guided by its 2025 Work Plan, BIER is expanding both visibility and influence through new and evolving resources, such as interpretation guidance on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), enhanced quarterly regulatory updates, and targeted supplier engagement to drive Scope 3 reductions. These collective initiatives, alongside ongoing work in benchmarking and watershed resilience, reflect BIER’s commitment to helping members anticipate change, strengthen performance, and drive measurable environmental progress.

“Heaven Hill’s operational heritage, U.S. perspective, and emerging sustainability leadership add significant depth to our shared efforts to transform environmental performance across the beverage sector,” said Erica Pann, Executive Director of BIER.

“As a family-owned company, we know strong environmental performance depends on data, transparency, and collaboration,” said Rachel Nally, AVP of Environment & Sustainability at Heaven Hill Brands. “Through shared learning and collective action, BIER membership strengthens our ability to advance solutions that drive long-term sustainability and resilience across the beverage sector.”

Through the market leadership of its members, BIER has established itself as the definitive voice on environmental sustainability in the global beverage industry. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, advancing credible technical guidance, and proactively engaging on key environmental challenges, BIER continues to elevate the industry’s collective influence. These partnerships not only accelerate progress within member companies but also build trust with stakeholders, shape public dialogue, and inspire broader adoption of sustainable solutions across the value chain.

Media Contacts
Erica Pann, Executive Director, BIER

About BIER
BIER is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Formed in 2006, BIER is a common voice across the beverage sector, speaking to influence global standards on environmental sustainability aspects most relevant to the sector, affect change both up and down the supply chain, and share best practices that raise the bar for environmental performance of the industry. By doing so, BIER is able to monitor data and trends, engage with key stakeholders, develop best practices, and guide a course of action for the future. BIER members include Anheuser-Busch InBev, Asahi Group Holdings, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Constellation Brands, Diageo, Heaven Hill Brands, Heineken, Keurig Dr Pepper, LION, Molson Coors, Monster Energy, Ocean Spray Cranberries, PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard and Suntory Global Spirits. For more information, visit www.bieroundtable.com.

Summer Reflections, Fall Momentum: BIER's 2025 Achievements and the Road Ahead - BIER

BIER — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As the heat of summer gives way to the crisp focus of fall, the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) reflects on a 2025 that has been nothing short of dynamic. This has been a year of bold moves, agile responses, and powerful collaborations, all aimed at tackling climate challenges head-on and raising the bar for environmental sustainability across the beverage sector. From accelerating climate resilience to setting new benchmarks in industry standards, BIER and its members have turned ambition into action. Now, with the final quarter ahead, BIER is harnessing this momentum to close out the year with impact and step into 2026 on the strongest footing yet.

Advancing Technical Guidance

The year began with the release of Beverage Industry Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Sector Guidance Version 4.3. This update aligned the sector with emerging standards such as the CSRD and SBTi’s FLAG guidance, introduced enhanced methodologies for recycling, logistics, and cooling models, and strengthened protocols for data verification and disclosure. Collectively, these updates brought the industry one step closer to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040–2050.

Shortly thereafter, BIER published the Beverage Industry EUDR Interpretation Guide, a practical, sector-specific resource to help beverage companies navigate the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). With compliance deadlines beginning in late 2025 for larger operators, this guide provided actionable tools for mapping supply chains, assessing and mitigating risk, and integrating EUDR compliance with broader no-deforestation and climate commitments.

Innovation Through Collaboration

BIER’s Sustainable Coolers Coolition continued to unite members in developing solutions that reduce the environmental impact of cooling systems while safeguarding technical and business performance. This initiative reinforced one of BIER’s core commitments: advancing technologies that conserve energy and water without compromising quality or efficiency. In 2025, the Coolition also hosted the Cool Challenge, inviting passionate innovators to revolutionize commercial refrigeration for chilled, canned, or bottled beverages at their point of sale. The challenge pushed boundaries, sparked innovation, and inspired sustainable solutions to shape the beverage industry’s future.

BIER’s Charco Bendito Watershed Collaboration in Mexico also delivered tangible results in improving water quality and availability through multi-stakeholder action. In 2025, lessons from Charco Bendito began informing similar efforts in new geographies, demonstrating the scalability of BIER’s collaborative water stewardship model.

Staying Ahead of Regulatory Change

This year, navigating an evolving regulatory landscape wasn’t just a priority; it was a strategic advantage. Through the member-only Regulatory Round-Up and Ad-Hoc sessions, BIER kept members ahead of the curve on global disclosure standards, climate legislation, and emissions reporting expectations, not just tracking changes, but anticipating them. These quarterly sessions became a space for real-time intelligence sharing, where peers compared approaches, decoded new requirements, and identified opportunities to align sustainability ambitions with global expectations. The result? Members left not only informed, but equipped to turn regulatory challenges into catalysts for stronger, more credible sustainability strategies.

Highlighting Industry Leadership

Throughout 2025, BIER’s Member Spotlight series shone a well-deserved light on the people turning sustainability ambition into measurable action. From Justin Merrell of LION to Ana Fernanda Romero of Diageo, and from Heineken’s Nicolas Clerget – Chair of BIER – together with colleagues Hannah Hunt and Jade Mahuzier, to David Grant of PepsiCo – BIER’s Co-Chair – each story revealed a unique path to driving environmental progress. Their insights, innovations, and on-the-ground impact showcased the many ways BIER members are translating commitments into results, inspiring peers across the global beverage sector.

Engaging In-Person for Greater Impact

In May, BIER members converged in the vibrant city of Sevilla, Spain, for the Spring 2025 Roundtable Meeting, hosted by Heineken at the inspiring Fundación Cruzcampo. Over three days, the venue buzzed with forward-thinking discussions and collaborative problem-solving. Members dove deep into nature-positive strategies, explored innovative ways to measure water replenishment co-benefits, examined breakthroughs in renewable thermal energy, tackled the challenge of making zero-deforestation claims credible, and celebrated the power of industry coalitions in accelerating progress.

That momentum now carries into the Fall 2025 Roundtable Meeting, set for September in Louisville, Kentucky. Here, members will tackle another slate of high-priority topics, from discussing best practices for implementing Collective Action projects and utilizing green fertilizer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to essential discussions on how climate adaptation can be a business driver, with the same energy and focus that has defined the year. These sessions aren’t just about sharing updates; they’re about reinforcing commitments to watershed health, aligning on regulatory strategies, and charting sustainability roadmaps that will ensure BIER’s collective voice remains a powerful force shaping the beverage industry’s environmental future.

Looking to the Final Stretch of 2025

As we move into the year’s final months, BIER is channeling the energy and achievements of 2025 into actionable next steps. Our shared focus is clear: finish strong, build resilience, and enter 2026 positioned to lead. With the dedication of our members and the momentum we’ve built together, the beverage industry is better equipped than ever to deliver on its sustainability promises, for our communities, our ecosystems, and our future. Together, BIER members are closing out 2025 not just with progress, but with a shared vision: a beverage sector that leads the way in building a sustainable future.

Helping Beverage Companies Navigate the EUDR: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) Releases Sector-Specific Interpretation Guide - BIER

BIER — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) has released the Beverage Industry EUDR Interpretation Guide, a practical, sector-specific resource designed to help beverage companies understand and meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) (EU 2023/1115).

Effective June 29, 2023, the EUDR introduced strict due diligence requirements for companies placing cattle, coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, rubber, or wood – or products derived from them – on the EU market or exporting them from it.

For the beverage industry, this regulation is highly relevant as it covers both raw ingredients (like coffee, cocoa, and palm derivatives) and select wood-based packaging (such as barrels and branded wooden crates). Full compliance for large and medium-sized operators begins December 30, 2025, with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) following by June 30, 2026.

The guide is designed for beverage manufacturers, brand owners, and procurement and sustainability teams who need clear, actionable direction on how to implement EUDR compliance across their supply chains. It provides:

Sector-specific guidance on identifying which ingredients and materials fall within the scope of the EUDR
Step-by-step instructions for mapping supply chains, assessing and mitigating risk, and maintaining traceability
Support for compliance workflows, including preparing and submitting Due Diligence Statements (DDS) via the TRAde Control and Expert System (TRACES), i.e., the EU’s official digital platform for EUDR implementation
Integration strategies to align EUDR obligations with broader sustainability initiatives like no-deforestation commitments and SBTi FLAG goals

By providing a beverage-focused lens on a complex regulation, the guide empowers companies to reduce compliance risk, maintain market access, and build robust, future-proof sustainability practices.

“The EUDR presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the beverage sector. Our members needed clear, actionable guidance on how to navigate this complex regulation, and that’s exactly what this guide delivers, helping companies meet their obligations while advancing environmental stewardship.” ~ Erica Pann, Executive Director of BIER.

The Beverage Industry EUDR Interpretation Guide reinforces BIER’s mission to accelerate environmental progress in the beverage sector by turning complex sustainability challenges into actionable solutions.

The Beverage Industry EUDR Interpretation Guide is available for download at https://www.bieroundtable.com/publication/beverage-industry-eudr-interpretation-guide/

For more information, please contact: Erica Pann, BIER Executive Director
Erica.Pann@anteagroup.us

Spring 2025 Roundtable Recap: Advancing Beverage Sustainability Through Collective Leadership - BIER

BIER — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This past May, members of The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) convened in Sevilla, Spain, for its Spring 2025 Roundtable Meeting, bringing together global beverage leaders for three days of strategic dialogue, technical exchange, and on-the-ground inspiration. Generously hosted by Heineken at Fundación Cruzcampo, the gathering brought BIER’s mission to life: uniting global beverage leaders to drive environmental sustainability through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technical advocacy.

This meeting marked the first Roundtable under the leadership of Erica Pann, BIER’s new Executive Director. With deep expertise in sustainability strategy and cross-sector facilitation, Erica strengthens BIER’s commitment to technical excellence and collaborative progress.

Erica is joined in leadership by Nicolas Clerget (HEINEKEN), serving as Chair of BIER’s Steering Committee, and David Grant (PepsiCo) as Co-Chair. Together, this team reflects the diversity, experience, and vision of BIER’s global membership—and they are actively shaping the organization’s next chapter of impact.

Key Themes from the Spring 2025 Agenda

The Spring Roundtable set the tone for continued progress across BIER’s 2025 priority workstreams. The agenda reflected BIER’s vision of a beverage industry that is authentically sustainable, anchored in science and data, supported by world-class practices, and trusted by consumers, customers, and stakeholders alike. Highlights included:

Nature-Positive Strategies: Members explored how to integrate regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and watershed health into long-term sustainability and value chain strategies.
Water Replenishment & Impact Metrics: Sessions focused on measuring the co-benefits of water replenishment, including climate resilience, biodiversity gains, and community well-being.
Industry Consortia as Catalysts: The group examined how industry-wide coalitions like BIER drive consistency, credibility, and collective momentum in achieving environmental goals.
Decarbonization & Net Zero Pathways: Members engaged with early insights on the SBTi Net Zero Standard 2.0 and participated in working sessions focused on Scope 3 emissions and hard-to-abate categories.
Thermal Energy Innovation: Real-world case studies showcased renewable thermal applications, highlighting projects from Diageo, Asahi, and others advancing low-carbon heat solutions.
Zero-Deforestation Claims: Sessions addressed the path from high-level commitment to credible implementation, with a focus on traceability, regulatory compliance, and phased action plans.
Just Transition & Regional Resilience: Participants explored how companies are embedding climate justice into energy transition strategies and navigating emerging geopolitical dynamics.

From Strategy to Site: A Sustainability Showcase

Members also toured HEINEKEN’s brewery and solar farm, home to Europe’s largest solar thermal plant for industrial use. The visit underscored how science-based ambition, stakeholder alignment, and infrastructure investment can work together to drive measurable environmental performance.

What Members Say They Value The Most

Members often say that one of the most valuable aspects of BIER is having access to shared benchmarking tools, trusted methodologies, and resources that help them see where they stand and where they can improve. These insights are reflected in the Member Spotlight Series and were echoed throughout the Spring 2025 Roundtable meeting. Common themes include:

Benchmarking and Standardization: Access to trusted metrics and methodologies helps members assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Collaborative Innovation: BIER fosters a culture of co-creation, where companies share best practices and develop scalable solutions together.
Collective Action and Credibility: Participation amplifies individual efforts through collective initiatives, reinforcing member credibility with stakeholders.
Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: Members benefit from a platform that promotes open exchange and continuous learning.
Strategic Alignment and Advocacy: BIER supports unified advocacy and strategic alignment on key sustainability issues, enabling more effective industry engagement.

A Global Membership, A Unified Purpose

BIER values a membership base that reflects the diversity and expertise of the global beverage industry, drawing insights from across the value chain. Representing many of the most recognized names in brewing, distilling, and non-alcoholic beverages, BIER members bring their knowledge, commitment, and passion to collaboratively address environmental challenges that no single company can solve alone.

Through the market leadership of its members, BIER continues to position itself as the sustainable voice of the beverage industry, driving stakeholder trust and advancing solutions that benefit both the sector and the planet.

Looking Ahead

The Spring 2025 Roundtable exemplified BIER’s mission in action. Through technical engagement, open dialogue, and shared vision, members continue to set the pace for environmental sustainability across the beverage sector. With the guidance of Executive Director Erica Pann, Chair Nicolas Clerget, and Co-Chair David Grant, BIER is well-positioned to support member-driven progress in the months and years ahead.

A heartfelt thank you to Heineken for their warm hospitality and to every member who attended, shared insights, asked questions, and contributed to the Sevilla Roundtable’s success.