New Belgium Brewing and Climate Change

In 2023, Colorado-based craft brewery New Belgium Brewing was considering how best to meet its emissions reduction targets. After decades of growth, the beermaker had grown to become one of the largest craft brewers in the U.S., and was purchased in 2019 by Japanese brewer Kirin. Throughout its history, New Belgium had taken actions to lower emissions and improve the sustainability profile of its products. This included the 2020 decision to certify its flagship beer, Fat Tire, as carbon neutral. Under the ownership of Kirin, New Belgium was subject to the parent company's Science Based Targets initiative emissions reduction targets, and had to put forth a plan to significantly lower emissions by 2030. Given a range of possible actions they could take, which should they choose?