Imagine a world where brewing a cold beer isn't just about quenching thirst—it's about healing the very earth beneath our feet. That's the bold vision Carlsberg is chasing with their regenerative barley initiative, and it's sparking a revolution in how we grow our food. But here's where it gets interesting: can a major brewer really lead the charge in fixing our farmers' fields? Stick around as we dive into this story from the WBCSD's One Planet Business for Biodiversity (OP2B) series, where we spotlight companies committing to regenerative farming, the perks for growers, and how OP2B fuels this shift.
Shifting from strategy to soil health
In the sprawling barley farms of Europe, Carlsberg Group is completely rethinking how they cultivate and procure the grains that give their beers their signature flavor. At the core of their sustainability plan is regenerative agriculture, with ambitious targets: 30% of their agricultural ingredients sourced this way by 2030, ramping up to 100% by 2040. For a brewery whose environmental impact is heavily linked to farming practices, this represents a radical departure from business as usual.
'As climate change has evolved from a far-off worry to an immediate reality over the past two decades,' explains Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, Vice President for Sustainability and ESG at Carlsberg. 'We're taking proactive steps to fortify our supply chains, and regenerative agriculture forms the bedrock of this evolution.'
Under their Together Towards ZERO and Beyond initiative, Carlsberg has crafted six key principles for regenerative farming, validated through collaborations with partners like Agrovi in Denmark, Ceres Rural in the UK, and the Baltic Sea Action Group in Finland. These guidelines encourage practices such as rotating crops to prevent soil exhaustion, maintaining year-round plant cover to shield the ground, minimizing soil disruption to preserve its structure, cutting back on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and eliminating insecticides entirely on malted barley crops. 'It's fundamentally about safeguarding the natural resources we rely on—the soil, clean water, and diverse ecosystems,' Hoffmeyer elaborates. 'Our goal is to evolve from scattered experiments to a comprehensive system that uplifts both farmers and the planet.'
Putting theories to the test in real-world fields
Carlsberg's push into regenerative practices is accelerating in their primary barley-growing areas. They're translating those six principles into actionable pilots in France, Finland, and Denmark, each tailored to prove that this approach can boost both financial returns and farming productivity.
We've discovered that regenerative agriculture isn't a universal template—it demands customization to local conditions, robust partnerships, and attractive incentives for those working the land.
— Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, Vice President for Sustainability and ESG
Take Finland, for instance: Carlsberg's local arm, Sinebrychoff, teamed up with the Baltic Sea Action Group to harvest regenerative barley for their iconic KOFF Christmas Beer. By supporting trailblazing farmers who've embraced techniques like gentle soil tilling, planting cover crops to protect the earth, and alternating crops, the program demonstrates how these methods can enhance soil vitality and cut down on nutrient pollution flowing into the Baltic Sea. The barley produced under this initiative even earns 'Baltic Sea-friendly' certification after thorough evaluations of farming techniques.
'These field trials have provided us with crucial lessons on scaling up responsibly,' Hoffmeyer shares. 'Making the switch takes time, expert guidance, and financial stability, but the payoffs—like improved soil richness and better defenses against climate shocks—are undeniably worthwhile.'
Denmark: Bringing regenerative brewing into the mainstream
Back in Carlsberg's Danish homeland, regenerative beer-making has progressed from experimental plots to full-scale commercial operations. A turning point arrived through fresh alliances and agreements. To mark the occasion, the company even crafted a special 'concept beer' made solely from regenerative barley. 'We aimed to illustrate the complete journey of regenerative brewing, right from the farm to the frosty pint,' notes Stig Schneider Johnsen, Senior Sustainability Manager at Carlsberg Denmark.
They've partnered with DLG, a cooperative owned by farmers, and Viking Malt to secure up to 15,000 tonnes of regenerative barley annually—sufficient for about 100 million liters of beer. Starting with just two innovative farms on Zealand, this effort is set to grow to over 50 producers nationwide.
The growers we collaborate with are true pioneers. They show that thriving soils, reduced expenses on inputs, and consistent harvests can all coexist harmoniously. Our job is to ensure steady market demand and equitable prices, encouraging more farmers to get on board.
— Stig Schneider Johnsen, Senior Sustainability Manager
Consider Kaare Larsen, a farmer who manages both dairy cattle and crops in Gilleleje, North Sealand. Over a decade ago, he started testing out less intensive tilling methods.
The soil perks kicked in swiftly, motivating me to explore even deeper changes.
— Kaare Larsen, Dairy and Arable Farmer
DLG offers hands-on assistance for implementing things like perpetual ground coverage, varied crop cycles, and reduced soil churning. 'It's an ongoing process that calls for patience and teamwork,' Johnsen remarks, 'yet the advantages for soil wellness, water conservation, and carbon storage are already evident.'
Larsen views this cooperation as a game-changer. 'When big players like Carlsberg step up, it builds our trust to invest in novel approaches. Without such dedication, expanding regenerative farming would be a uphill battle,' he says.
Moreover, this framework fosters teamwork across different crops. 'A genuine regenerative setup includes a mix of plants,' Johnsen points out. 'Demanding the whole rotation cycle is vital for long-term sustainability.'
But here's the part most people miss: Is this approach truly equitable, or does it place unfair burdens on smaller farmers who might struggle with the upfront costs? Critics argue that without more substantial subsidies, regenerative methods could widen the gap between large cooperatives and independent growers.
Amplifying regeneration through teamwork
For Carlsberg, overhauling our food systems regeneratively is a shared mission. 'Advocacy plays a central role,' Hoffmeyer asserts. 'We need governments, particularly in the EU, to acknowledge the merits of regenerative farming and incorporate them into policies like the Common Agricultural Policy.' By doing so, public funds can aid farmers during this transition.
Regenerative practices also need agreed-upon standards and measurements to facilitate cooperation among public and private sectors. 'If each business interprets and tracks regenerative agriculture in its own way, widespread adoption becomes a pipe dream,' Hoffmeyer observes. Through ties with OP2B and similar networks like SAI Platform, Carlsberg is helping to create a common vocabulary for impact. Standardized measures allow everyone—from tillers of the soil to corporate leaders, financiers, and officials—to unite on goals and boost collective investments.
Via OP2B, the brewery is aligning with other international corporations to drive broader change. 'The expenses shouldn't fall solely on one part of the chain when the entire system reaps the rewards,' Hoffmeyer adds. By participating in joint ventures that span the supply network, Carlsberg and similar firms pinpoint mutual chances to help farmers manage transition costs and uncertainties. 'The biggest win,' he wraps up, 'is transforming regenerative agriculture from an outlier to the norm. As farmers witness the advantages, they'll motivate their peers, and that's the spark for genuine progress.'
Regenerative agriculture stands as an essential tool for reshaping how we produce food, animal feed, and fiber, delivering wins for the environment, wildlife, and humanity. In the coming years, the OP2B alliance will concentrate on activating three pivotal strategies to broaden regenerative farming: standardizing measurements, nurturing partnerships to aid farmers' shifts, and lobbying for policies that foster a supportive landscape.
What do you think—can big corporations like Carlsberg genuinely spearhead sustainable farming without greenwashing? Do you believe regenerative practices will become the standard soon, or is the transition too slow? Share your views in the comments; we'd love to hear if you're on board or if you see potential pitfalls!
