FAQ – Environmental Assessment
This is the FAQ of the survey on environmental topics, commissioned by The Brewers of Europe.
Here, you will find the definitions of the concepts mentioned in the survey and answers to any questions you may have. We advise you to keep this FAQ with you while filling out the survey.
Did you not find the answer you were looking for?
Please send your question to [email protected]
FAQ
General
How to complete the survey?
What is a best practice?
How to add the ‘best practices’ of my brewery?
What will these ‘best practices’ be used for?
Who has access to my answers?
Why a separate survey for each brewery (site)?
Why do we ask for quantities for packaging in hectolitres (hl)?
Data
What type of data is relevant for this survey?
Will the provided data remain confidential?
How is the data stored and protected?
Where can I find my data?
What if I do not have data of 2021?
Which data do you need?
What if I cannot separate beer data from other products?
Is there an overview of all the requested data of the survey?
What if I have incomplete data?
What if I do not have the data?
What if I still have to collect some data?
Packaging
What is Primary packaging?
What is Secondary and Tertiary packaging?
What is ‘the percentage of Recycled content?
What is Recyclable packaging?
What is Recycled packaging?
What is returnable packaging?
What is Reusable packaging?
What is Refillable packaging?
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What are emissions from stationary combustion?
What are emissions from mobile combustion?
What is Upstream transportation & distribution?
What is Downstream transportation & distribution?
Energy
What is renewable energy?
What is Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)?
Download the support document for data gathering
General
How to complete the survey?
Before starting the survey, collecting the relevant documents about your production and packaging is advised, and keeping those at hand. We provide this document with an overview of all data needed to answer the questions of the survey. Fill out the questions to the best of your abilities. Questions can be left unanswereind if you cannot provide the information or are unsure about your answers. The survey has multiple open text fields where you can write remarks, details, or explanations concerning your answers. We highly encourage you to do so, wherever you can.
What is a best practice?
Best practices are processes or techniques used at the brewery which differ from common knowledge and have positive outcomes. In the survey, we are mainly interested in the best practices that minimize your environmental impact. Examples could be packaging savings, energy, and water savings, circular projects, reduction of greenhouse emissions …
How to add the ‘best practices’ of my brewery?
At the end of each section, you can describe a best practice that your brewery implements about that section to minimize environmental impact. We encourage you to include quantitative information, illustrating the impact of the best practice described. English text is preferred but you may also use your native language, we will take care of translating it into English.
What will these ‘best practices’ be used for?
These best practices will be reviewed and may be selected as an example to inspire others. If your case is selected, Greenfish will contact you to ask whether you would like to take part in an interview. The insights from the interview and the answers for this survey will then be used in internal and external communication from The Brewers of Europe, to inspire other breweries. You will have full discretion about what data and insights will and will not be shared at any time.
Who has access to my answers?
Only Greenfish will have access to your answers as such. The Brewers of Europe will receive the aggregated results and analysis only.
Why a separate survey for each brewery (site)?
To draw realistic conclusions on brewery levels we prefer to receive data per brewery/site. Numbers on a group level might cover different countries and more specific data on breweries will be filtered out. After the survey, Greenfish will combine the data based on the size of the brewery (site) and draw conclusions and learnings for different sizes of breweries (small, medium, and large breweries). If you provide numbers on a group level, it is more challenging to understand how different sizes of breweries work, and what the different needs are. Since this understanding is essential for developing feasible policies, we urge you to provide your data per brewery.
Data
What type of data is relevant for this survey?
The survey refers to the production and packaging of beer and beer products (including non-alcoholic beer and beer mixers). It does not include the production and packaging of other products such as soft drinks, seltzers, etc. Requested data should reflect all on-site activities including on-site warehouses, offices, etc. The data is requested for calendar years but if your data is arranged by fiscal year, fill in your data as if it was from a calendar year. Data from the calendar year 2021 is preferred over other years. If this data is unavailable, please provide the most recent data and indicate its year in the ‘Comments’ text box at the end of the section.
Will the provided data remain confidential?
All answers will exclusively be used for this survey. The data provided is considered confidential and will be handled anonymously by Greenfish. Only when you agree to be featured as a best practice, some insights could be used in communication. This will only happen with explicit permission from your organization. You have the right to end your participation in this research at any time, as well as request that your data be removed from the research, during or after the study. This can be requested by emailing [email protected].
How is the data stored and protected?
The raw data will be stored and protected by Greenfish on a drive with restricted access. The raw data will be kept for xx years and will be deleted after this period. The output of this research is stored by Greenfish and The Brewers of Europe. Your data can be removed from the data set at any time. This can be requested by emailing [email protected].
Where can I find my data?
Your data can come from different sources. Usually, data can be found in turnover numbers, annual accounts, purchase and selling data, audits, measurements done by third parties, information on suppliers or distributors, energy bills, water bills, invoices…
What if I do not have data for 2021?
If data for 2021 is not available, please provide the most recent data and indicate its year in the comment box at the end of the section.
Which data do you need?
The data of beer and beer products (including non-alcoholic beer and beer mixers) for the year 2021. By preference, no other soft drinks, seltzers, or other products are produced at the site.
What if I cannot separate beer data from other products?
If you are unable to split data into beer products and other soft drinks, seltzers, or other products, please provide an estimation of the volume of the other products included in the provided data. This way, we will deduce the information we need for beer and beer products.
Is there an overview of all the requested data from the survey?
In the … you can find an overview of all the requested data of the survey. You can use this as a checklist during data collection before starting the survey.
What if I have incomplete data?
Please fill out as much as you can. It is allowed to provide reasonable estimates, feel free to mention this in the comment box. If you cannot fill out a specific question, you can leave it unanswered.
What if I do not have the data?
If you have no data but can provide a reasonably good estimate, then we are happy to receive your estimated value. If not, you can leave the question unanswered.
Packaging
What is Primary packaging?
Primary packaging is the packaging that is essential for the user to consume the product, such as a glass bottle or a can.
European Environment Agency, Term “Packaging”, [online]
What is Secondary and Tertiary packaging?
Secondary and Tertiary packaging is the packaging that is not essential for the user to consume the product but is necessary for logistic purposes or group purchases. This is for example the beer crates, the pallets to move the large quantities of beer bottles, plastic wrapping material to protect multiple cans during transport, and plastic or cardboard wrapped around a six-pack of beer.
What is ‘the percentage of Recycled content?’
The percentage of recycled content is the amount of recycled material used in newly processed material such as a glass bottle. For example, it would be the percentage of recycled aluminum in the total weight of an aluminum can.
What is Recyclable packaging?
Recyclable packaging is packaging that will be used to make new materials. For example, glass bottles can be melted to be made into new glass bottles.
What is Recycled packaging?
Recycled packaging is packaging made of used materials that are processed into new packaging material. For example, recycled glass bottles can be made from used glass bottles or jars that were cleansed and melted into new bottles.
GWP Group, Recyclable packaging, [online]
What is returnable packaging?
Returnable packaging is packaging that can be returned for several applications such as reuse or recycling.
What is Reusable packaging?
Reusable packaging is packaging that is designed to be used multiple times for the same purpose without having to be reprocessed. . For example, a crate of beer or a glass bottle with caution.
EUR-Lex, Packaging and packaging waste, [online]
What is the ‘% of reuse in packaging?’
The percentage of reuse in packaging is the amount of reused packaging (only cleansing, not reprocessing) over the total amount of packaging necessary for production. For example, if 200 000 glass bottles are cleaned and refilled, and 800 000 are new glass bottles, there is 20% reuse in packaging.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What are emissions from stationary combustion?
Stationary fuel combustion emissions are emitted by installations that combust solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel, (i.e. coal, fossil fuels, or all kind of gases) to produce electricity, generate steam, heat or another form of energy.
GHG Protocol, Scope 1 & 2 GHG Inventory Guidance, [online]
What are emissions from mobile combustion?
Mobile fuel combustion emissions are emitted by vehicles (both on-road and non-road) that are owned by the brewery. For example, emissions from cargo vessels or trucks owned by the brewery.
GHG Protocol, Scope 1 & 2 GHG Inventory Guidance, [online]
What is Upstream transportation & distribution?
Upstream transportation & distribution refer to emissions related to the transportation and distribution of products, between a brewery’s direct suppliers and its operations, in vehicles not owned or operated by the brewery. An example of this is the emissions from the trucks of your supplier when they deliver yeast to your brewery. We also include here third-party transportation and distribution services purchased by the brewery, including inbound logistics, and distribution between a company’s facilities . An example of this is the emissions from a logistic company paid by the brewery to transport packaging from a supplier to the reporting brewery.
GHG Protocol, Category 4: Upstream Transportation and Distribution, [online]
Energy
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. The following sources are renewable energy sources: solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and ocean enegy .
United Nations, what is renewable energy? [online]
FAQ -Environmental Assessment
This is the FAQ of the survey on environmental topics, commissioned by The Brewers of Europe.
Here, you will find the definitions of the concepts mentioned in the survey and answers to any questions you may have. We advise you to keep this FAQ with you while filling out the survey.
Did you not find the answer you were looking for?
Please send your question to [email protected]
FAQ
General
How to complete the survey?
What is a best practice?
How to add the ‘best practices’ of my brewery?
What will these ‘best practices’ be used for?
Who has access to my answers?
Why a separate survey for each brewery (site)?
Why do we ask for quantities for packaging in hectolitres (hl)?
Data
What type of data is relevant for this survey?
Will the provided data remain confidential?
How is the data stored and protected?
Where can I find my data?
What if I do not have data of 2021?
Which data do you need?
What if I cannot separate beer data from other products?
Is there an overview of all the requested data of the survey?
What if I have incomplete data?
What if I do not have the data?
What if I still have to collect some data?
Packaging
What is Primary packaging?
What is Secondary and Tertiary packaging?
What is ‘the percentage of Recycled content?
What is Recyclable packaging?
What is Recycled packaging?
What is returnable packaging?
What is Reusable packaging?
What is Refillable packaging?
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What are emissions from stationary combustion?
What are emissions from mobile combustion?
What is Upstream transportation & distribution?
What is Downstream transportation & distribution?
Energy
What is renewable energy?
What is Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)?
Download the support document for data gathering
General
How to complete the survey?
Before starting the survey, collecting the relevant documents about your production and packaging is advised, and keeping those at hand. We provide this document with an overview of all data needed to answer the questions of the survey. Fill out the questions to the best of your abilities. Questions can be left unanswereind if you cannot provide the information or are unsure about your answers. The survey has multiple open text fields where you can write remarks, details, or explanations concerning your answers. We highly encourage you to do so, wherever you can.
What is a best practice?
Best practices are processes or techniques used at the brewery which differ from common knowledge and have positive outcomes. In the survey, we are mainly interested in the best practices that minimize your environmental impact. Examples could be packaging savings, energy, and water savings, circular projects, reduction of greenhouse emissions …
How to add the ‘best practices’ of my brewery?
At the end of each section, you can describe a best practice that your brewery implements about that section to minimize environmental impact. We encourage you to include quantitative information, illustrating the impact of the best practice described. English text is preferred but you may also use your native language, we will take care of translating it into English.
What will these ‘best practices’ be used for?
These best practices will be reviewed and may be selected as an example to inspire others. If your case is selected, Greenfish will contact you to ask whether you would like to take part in an interview. The insights from the interview and the answers for this survey will then be used in internal and external communication from The Brewers of Europe, to inspire other breweries. You will have full discretion about what data and insights will and will not be shared at any time.
Who has access to my answers?
Only Greenfish will have access to your answers as such. The Brewers of Europe will receive the aggregated results and analysis only.
Why a separate survey for each brewery (site)?
To draw realistic conclusions on brewery levels we prefer to receive data per brewery/site. Numbers on a group level might cover different countries and more specific data on breweries will be filtered out. After the survey, Greenfish will combine the data based on the size of the brewery (site) and draw conclusions and learnings for different sizes of breweries (small, medium, and large breweries). If you provide numbers on a group level, it is more challenging to understand how different sizes of breweries work, and what the different needs are. Since this understanding is essential for developing feasible policies, we urge you to provide your data per brewery.
Why do we ask for quantities for packaging in hectoliters (hl)?
The units of hectolitres are chosen to allow a better comparison between the different countries.
1 hectoliter = 100 liter
Data
What type of data is relevant for this survey?
The survey refers to the production and packaging of beer and beer products (including non-alcoholic beer and beer mixers). It does not include the production and packaging of other products such as soft drinks, seltzers, etc. Requested data should reflect all on-site activities including on-site warehouses, offices, etc. The data is requested for calendar years but if your data is arranged by fiscal year, fill in your data as if it was from a calendar year. Data from the calendar year 2021 is preferred over other years. If this data is unavailable, please provide the most recent data and indicate its year in the ‘Comments’ text box at the end of the section.
Will the provided data remain confidential?
All answers will exclusively be used for this survey. The data provided is considered confidential and will be handled anonymously by Greenfish. Only when you agree to be featured as a best practice, some insights could be used in communication. This will only happen with explicit permission from your organization. You have the right to end your participation in this research at any time, as well as request that your data be removed from the research, during or after the study. This can be requested by emailing [email protected].
How is the data stored and protected?
The raw data will be stored and protected by Greenfish on a drive with restricted access. The raw data will be kept for xx years and will be deleted after this period. The output of this research is stored by Greenfish and The Brewers of Europe. Your data can be removed from the data set at any time. This can be requested by emailing [email protected].
Where can I find my data?
Your data can come from different sources. Usually, data can be found in turnover numbers, annual accounts, purchase and selling data, audits, measurements done by third parties, information on suppliers or distributors, energy bills, water bills, invoices…
What if I do not have data for 2021?
If data for 2021 is not available, please provide the most recent data and indicate its year in the comment box at the end of the section.
Which data do you need?
The data of beer and beer products (including non-alcoholic beer and beer mixers) for the year 2021. By preference, no other soft drinks, seltzers, or other products are produced at the site.
What if I cannot separate beer data from other products?
If you are unable to split data into beer products and other soft drinks, seltzers, or other products, please provide an estimation of the volume of the other products included in the provided data. This way, we will deduce the information we need for beer and beer products.
Is there an overview of all the requested data from the survey?
In the … you can find an overview of all the requested data of the survey. You can use this as a checklist during data collection before starting the survey.
What if I have incomplete data?
Please fill out as much as you can. It is allowed to provide reasonable estimates, feel free to mention this in the comment box. If you cannot fill out a specific question, you can leave it unanswered.
What if I do not have the data?
If you have no data but can provide a reasonably good estimate, then we are happy to receive your estimated value. If not, you can leave the question unanswered.
What if I still have to collect some data?
If you don’t have the data with you when filling out the survey, but you can access it later, we advise you to pause the survey, collect the data and resume filling out the survey at a later point. You can continue the survey by clicking the survey link on the same computer. Your answers will be saved when you click the ‘Next’ button in the survey. Your answers will be saved for a week.
Packaging
What is Primary packaging?
Primary packaging is the packaging that is essential for the user to consume the product, such as a glass bottle or a can.
European Environment Agency, Term “Packaging”, [online]
What is Secondary and Tertiary packaging?
Secondary and Tertiary packaging is the packaging that is not essential for the user to consume the product but is necessary for logistic purposes or group purchases. This is for example the beer crates, the pallets to move the large quantities of beer bottles, plastic wrapping material to protect multiple cans during transport, and plastic or cardboard wrapped around a six-pack of beer.
What is ‘the percentage of Recycled content?’
The percentage of recycled content is the amount of recycled material used in newly processed material such as a glass bottle. For example, it would be the percentage of recycled aluminum in the total weight of an aluminum can.
What is Recyclable packaging?
Recyclable packaging is packaging that will be used to make new materials. For example, glass bottles can be melted to be made into new glass bottles.
What is Recycled packaging?
Recycled packaging is packaging made of used materials that are processed into new packaging material. For example, recycled glass bottles can be made from used glass bottles or jars that were cleansed and melted into new bottles.
GWP Group, Recyclable packaging, [online]
What is returnable packaging?
Returnable packaging is packaging that can be returned for several applications such as reuse or recycling.
What is Reusable packaging?
Reusable packaging is packaging that is designed to be used multiple times for the same purpose without having to be reprocessed. . For example, a crate of beer or a glass bottle with caution.
EUR-Lex, Packaging and packaging waste, [online]
What is the ‘% of reuse in packaging?’
The percentage of reuse in packaging is the amount of reused packaging (only cleansing, not reprocessing) over the total amount of packaging necessary for production. For example, if 200 000 glass bottles are cleaned and refilled, and 800 000 are new glass bottles, there is 20% reuse in packaging.
What is Refillable packaging?
The refillable packaging is packaging that can be filled again after it has been used, without having to reprocess the packaging material. It is a type of reusable packaging. An example of refillable packaging is steel kegs that can be cleaned and used again, without having to melt the steel to create a new keg. In the case of beer, refillable and reusable packaging are similar definitions.
EUR-Lex, Packaging and packaging waste, [online]
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What are emissions from stationary combustion?
Stationary fuel combustion emissions are emitted by installations that combust solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel, (i.e. coal, fossil fuels, or all kind of gases) to produce electricity, generate steam, heat or another form of energy.
GHG Protocol, Scope 1 & 2 GHG Inventory Guidance, [online]
What are emissions from mobile combustion?
Mobile fuel combustion emissions are emitted by vehicles (both on-road and non-road) that are owned by the brewery. For example, emissions from cargo vessels or trucks owned by the brewery.
GHG Protocol, Scope 1 & 2 GHG Inventory Guidance, [online]
What is Upstream transportation & distribution?
Upstream transportation & distribution refer to emissions related to the transportation and distribution of products, between a brewery’s direct suppliers and its operations, in vehicles not owned or operated by the brewery. An example of this is the emissions from the trucks of your supplier when they deliver yeast to your brewery. We also include here third-party transportation and distribution services purchased by the brewery, including inbound logistics, and distribution between a company’s facilities . An example of this is the emissions from a logistic company paid by the brewery to transport packaging from a supplier to the reporting brewery.
GHG Protocol, Category 4: Upstream Transportation and Distribution, [online]
What is Downstream transportation & distribution?
Downstream transportation and distribution refer to emissions from the transportation and distribution of sold products in vehicles and facilities that are not owned or controlled by the brewery. For example, the emissions of the truck going from the brewery to distribute the beer to the different retailers are considered downstream emissions.
Energy
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. The following sources are renewable energy sources: solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and ocean enegy .
United Nations, what is renewable energy? [online]
What is Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)?
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a biofuel made by hydrocracking or hydrogenation of vegetable oil. HVO can be mixed with Diesel (mixtures possible from 0-100%) and can be used in Diesel engines.