Belgian transnational beverage and brewing company Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) has announced new sustainability targets for 2025.

Major areas identified for improvement include smart agriculture, water stewardship, circular packaging and climate action.

The company noted that it will source 100% of its purchased electricity from renewable sources, which is expected to lower CO2 emissions in its value chain by 25%.

The circular packaging commitment will see the company aim to make 100% of its packaging from previously recycled or recyclable materials.

In a statement, the company noted that ‘the delivery of the goals will have a wide-reaching impact that includes connecting thousands of farmers to technologies and skills, ensuring water access and quality in high-stress communities, partnering with our suppliers to increase recycling content, and adding renewable electricity capacity to regional grids’.

The firm has also launched a ten-week accelerator programme to help identify promising sustainability technologies.

It was formed in conjunction with ZX Ventures and aims to solve more than 100 environmental challenges by 2025.

“Climate change is the most pressing issue confronting our planet and could impact the natural resources we rely on to brew our high-quality beers.”

Through this programme, the company intends to identify and support sustainability ideas from scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs.

AB InBev CEO Carlos Brito said: “Our Dream is to bring people together for a better world, which is why we are committed to supporting a healthy environment and strong communities.

“Climate change is the most pressing issue confronting our planet and could impact the natural resources we rely on to brew our high-quality beers. More than ever, we see an opportunity to use sustainability as a catalyst for innovation.

“Our 2025 Sustainability Goals and Accelerator programme will complement each other, providing solutions for environmental and social challenges so we can build a company to last for the next 100 years.”

The Belgian brewing company will run annual events in nine markets around the world seeking new sustainability ideas. Selected entrepreneurs will take part in a ten-week programme to test their ideas.

AB InBev chief sustainability & procurement officer Tony Milikin said: “We know we cannot accomplish our comprehensive sustainability goals alone.

“As a global brewer operating in more than 50 countries, we are excited to draw on our entrepreneurial spirit and to collaborate with governments, NGO partners, universities and innovators to tackle some of the world’s most important challenges.”