Sweden's Systembolaget announces ambitious sustainability targets, aiming to halve carbon emissions within 8 years

The Swedish state alcohol monopoly retailer Systembolaget has announced ambitious plans to slash its carbon emissions by half within eight years, and for climate neutrality by 2045.  

Several initiatives will be needed across the entire supply chain to enable the company to achive its stated targets. The company said it would be looking at every aspect of its business, from production in the vineyard, packaging and transport to the retailer, energy consumption in warehouses and retail outlets, and delivery to customers.  

Additionally, Systembolaget has set itself an interim goal of producing 90% less greenhouse gases than in 2019 in internal company processes – that is, not including production in the winery as soon as 2025. CEO Ann Carlsson Meyer described these measures as “tough and necessary”.  

Systembolaget’s portfolio already includes many products packaged in alternative containers such as bag in box, Tetra-Pak and PET bottles, all of which have a better carbon footrprint than traditional single use glass bottles.  Being a monopoly certainly helps Systembolaget to implement such sustainability initiatives, as there are no concerns about consumers switching to an alternative retailer.