Carlsberg and WWF Denmark Expand Water Partnership to Strengthen Sustainable Resilience in Asian Supply Chains

Carlsberg Group is expanding its long-running partnership with WWF Denmark as the brewer steps up efforts to protect water resources and restore freshwater ecosystems across Asia, underlining the growing role of water stewardship in long-term supply chain resilience.

Focus on water security in high-risk regions

The partnership, which began in 2018, is entering its third phase and will run from 2026 to 2028, focusing on wetland restoration and water replenishment projects in China, Nepal and Laos.

Water remains a critical resource for Carlsberg’s production network and wider value chain, with the company positioning freshwater protection as a strategic sustainability priority amid mounting global water stress and biodiversity decline.

According to Carlsberg, nearly two billion people live in areas at risk of severe water scarcity, while 85% of the world’s freshwater species populations have been lost since 1970.

The expanded programme will focus on:

• Restoring degraded wetlands in Nepal
• Launching a new wetland restoration project in Ningxia in China’s Yellow River basin
• Maintaining and monitoring existing restoration projects in China and Laos

The initiative is guided by the WWF Water Risk Filter, an assessment tool used to evaluate water risks across production and supply chains.

Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, VP Sustainability & ESG at Carlsberg Group, said: “Water is one of our most critical resources – both for our production sites and for the communities we are part of.”

He added: “We are working to reduce our water use and, in partnership with WWF Denmark, actively replenish water resources in the areas where the need is greatest.”

Linking sustainability to operational resilience

The programme aims to help return clean water to nature through wetland restoration and nature-based solutions, while supporting local ecosystems and communities.

One indicator of success will be increased local wildlife populations, seen as a marker of healthier freshwater ecosystems.

Julie Hjort, Director of Partnerships at WWF Denmark, said: “Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened in the world, and therefore we are very pleased that the Carlsberg Group contributes to restoring unique wetlands in China, Nepal and Laos.”

She added: “The collaboration with Carlsberg Group demonstrates how companies can contribute to nature restoration while also creating value for local communities while at the same time addressing potential value chain challenges.”

Progress toward long-term replenishment targets

Carlsberg said the first two phases of the partnership have already delivered measurable results, including the creation and restoration of wetlands across seven locations near four breweries.

Together, the projects replenished 1.2 million cubic metres of water in 2025, equivalent to 2.4 billion half-litre bottles of water, according to the company.

The projects are now replenishing more than 100% of the water consumed at three Chinese breweries.

When fully implemented, the projects in Nepal, China and Laos are expected to contribute around 40% of Carlsberg Group’s 2032 target of replenishing 100% of water consumption at breweries in high-risk areas.

Water stewardship moves up the business agenda

As climate change, pollution and overuse place increasing pressure on freshwater resources, water stewardship is becoming a more prominent issue for manufacturers with agricultural and industrial supply chains.

For Carlsberg, the latest expansion reflects how environmental restoration is increasingly being tied to operational continuity, resource security and long-term business resilience in sustainability planning.