Bockale Non-Alcoholic Beer
Shipment Carbon Emissions Assessment Report
Executive Summary
This report presents a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of the Bockale non-alcoholic beer shipment, covering 3,725 cases (44,700 cans / 21,143 liters) across four product varieties: Lager, IPA, Sour, and Red Cream Ale.
The total carbon footprint is estimated at 33,149 kg CO2e (33.1 tonnes CO2e), including both product and transportation emissions.
Environmental Impact: This shipment’s carbon footprint is equivalent to approximately 7.2 cars driven for a year. Transportation from Dorval, Quebec to four destinations across Canada accounts for 54% of total emissions.
33.1
Tonnes CO2e Total
7.2
Cars Off Road (1 Year)
44,700
Total Cans (473ml)
84
Pallets Shipped
Emissions by Source Component
| Emission Source | Total CO2e (kg) | % of Total | Per Can |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation | 17,926 | 54.1% | 401g |
| Aluminum Cans | 6,089 | 18.4% | 136g |
| Brewing & Ingredients | 4,567 | 13.8% | 102g |
| Brewery Energy/Operations | 2,283 | 6.9% | 51g |
| Cardboard Packaging | 1,218 | 3.7% | 27g |
| Other (waste, water) | 1,066 | 3.2% | 24g |
| TOTAL | 33,149 | 100% | 742g |
Key Insight: Logistics (transportation + packaging) represents 76.1% of total emissions (25,233 kg CO2e), while the actual beer product content is only 23.9% (7,916 kg CO2e).
Transportation Emissions
The shipment originated from Dorval, Quebec and was distributed to four destinations across Canada via truck freight.
| Load | Destination | Pallets | Weight (kg) | Distance (km) | CO2e (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Load 1 | North Vancouver, BC | 26 | 25,946 | 4,580 | 7,368 |
| Load 2 | Abbotsford, BC | 19 | 18,212 | 4,510 | 5,092 |
| Load 3 | GTA, Ontario | 15 | 13,811 | 540 | 462 |
| Load 4 | Calgary, AB | 24 | 23,950 | 3,370 | 5,004 |
| TOTAL | 4 Destinations | 84 | 81,918 | — | 17,926 |
Transportation emissions calculated using 0.062 kg CO2e per tonne-km (medium truck freight factor from Canadian emission standards).
Key Findings
Transportation is the dominant emission source, accounting for 54.1% (17.9 tonnes) of total emissions. Long-haul truck freight to BC destinations drives this impact, with North Vancouver and Abbotsford loads combining for 12.5 tonnes CO2e over 4,500+ km distances.
Aluminum cans are the second-largest contributor at 18.4% (6.1 tonnes). Can production is energy-intensive, generating 136g CO2e per can – more than the actual beer content.
The beer itself is a minor component – brewing, ingredients, and energy combined represent only 20.7% (6.9 tonnes). Recipe differences between lager, IPA, sour, and cream ale are negligible from a carbon perspective.
Logistics dominates at 76% – when you combine transportation (54%), aluminum cans (18%), and cardboard packaging (4%), logistics represents three-quarters of the total footprint while the actual beer product is less than one-quarter.
Opportunities for Reduction
- Regional distribution strategy: Consolidating loads or using regional warehouses closer to end markets could significantly reduce cross-country transport emissions. The BC shipments alone generated 12.5 tonnes CO2e.
- Modal shift: Rail freight generates ~30% less emissions per tonne-km than truck freight for long-haul routes like Dorval to BC (4,500+ km)
- Load optimization: Maximizing truck capacity utilization and coordinating with other shipments reduces per-unit transportation impact
- Packaging alternatives: Switching to reusable steel kegs (20L) reduces product carbon footprint by up to 86% compared to single-use aluminum cans
- Increased recycled content: Using higher percentages of recycled aluminum in can production can reduce packaging emissions by 30-50%
- Renewable energy in brewing: Operations using renewable energy show 15-25% lower product carbon footprints
Methodology & Assumptions
- Product Carbon Footprint: 0.72 kg CO2e per liter of beer in aluminum cans Source: UK craft brewing study (Bowler et al., 2023) [Link], Italian brewery study (Cimini & Moresi, 2016) [Link], Oregon DEQ literature review [Link]. Mid-range value used as conservative estimate for non-alcoholic beer in 473ml cans.
- Transportation Emissions: 0.062 kg CO2e per tonne-km for medium truck freight Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Inventory Report 2024, Table A6.1-8 [Link]. Medium truck diesel emission factor for road freight.
- Packaging Impact: Aluminum cans represent approximately 40% of product carbon footprint Source: Thielmann whitepaper (2021) [Link], Oregon DEQ [Link]. Component breakdown: Cans 40%, Brewing/ingredients 30%, Energy 15%, Cardboard 8%, Other 7%.
- System Boundary: Cradle-to-gate analysis including raw material production, brewing, packaging, and distribution to destination warehouses. Excludes retail refrigeration, consumer transport, and end-of-life recycling.
- Non-Alcoholic Beer: Carbon footprint similar to alcoholic beer as fermentation CO2 is biogenic and not counted Source: Oregon DEQ [Link]. Per GHG accounting standards, biogenic CO2 from fermentation is excluded.
- Data Sources: Peer-reviewed LCA studies on beer carbon footprinting, Canadian GHG emission factors (2024), industry transportation research Bowler et al. (2023) J Cleaner Production; Cimini & Moresi (2016) J Cleaner Production; Oregon DEQ Beer LCA Literature Review (2016); ECCC National Inventory Report 2024; Thielmann packaging whitepaper (2021).
- Car Equivalency: Based on average passenger vehicle emissions of 4.6 tonnes CO2e per year Source: US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator [Link]
- Reference Standards: ISO 14067 (Carbon Footprint of Products), PAS 2050 methodology, Canadian National Inventory Report emission factors ISO 14067:2018 [Link], PAS 2050 [Link], Canadian NIR [Link]
Uncertainty & Limitations:
- Product footprint (±20%): LCA studies show wide variation based on brewery size, energy sources, can recycled content
- Transportation (±10%): Actual routes, vehicle fuel efficiency, load factors may vary from assumptions
- Component breakdown (±15%): 40/30/15/8/7 split based on literature averages, specific to this shipment may differ
- Excludes retail/consumer phases which could add 15-25% to total footprint