Carlsberg

How ethical is Carlsberg?

Carlsberg is a brand of alcoholic drinks which has a below-benchmark score on The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Beer, Lager & Cider Ratings Table. Although Carlsberg has not yet met our ethical benchmark, we hope to see the brand make progress in the future.

We would have extra confidence in Carlsberg if it applied for Ethical Accreditation, whereby The Good Shopping Guide would make further detailed assessment and recommendations for ethical improvement.

Find out more about the ethical issues facing the Ethical Beer, Lager & Cider sector.

What does Carlsberg do?

Carlsberg was established in 1847 by brewer J.C. Jacobson in Denmark. The company now has breweries in 33 countries and a large portfolio of brands.

In which areas does Carlsberg perform poorly?

Carlsberg was marked down under our criteria for GM, as a statement in its 2022 ESG report implies the use of GMOs, and for Vegetarian as it lacks certification.

Find out more about how we rate by exploring our ethical criteria.

Past Criticisms of Carlsberg’s record

Carlsberg recently received a low score from The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index for its environmental management of its supply chains in China. Carlsberg was also fined £3m in 2022 after a worker, David Chandler, was killed by an ammonia leak at its UK brewery.

In which areas does Carlsberg score well for its ethics?

Carlsberg scores well for its Environmental Report as its 2022 ESG Report contains targets on carbon emissions, packaging, water and more. Carlsberg also gets a top rating for Organic as Carlsberg Hof is certified by EU Leaf.

We found no criticisms of Carlsberg relating to; Nuclear, Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, Political Donations or Armaments,  therefore the brand scores well for these criteria. Find out more about how we rate.

How can Carlsberg improve its ethical rating?

The below-benchmark score that Carlsberg is awarded with on The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Beer, Lager & Cider Ratings Table is the result of an evaluation of multiple ethical criteria.

To reach our minimum ethical benchmark and qualify for Ethical Accreditation, Carlsberg has some issues to resolve, including its use of GMOS. If it applies for Ethical Accreditation, The Good Shopping Guide will be able to give Carlsberg some guidance to improve on these areas.

Were you aware that your brand could benefit from Ethical Accreditation? Brands accredited by The Good Shopping Guide can display our Ethical Mark, showcasing to consumers that it is an ethical and sustainable brand. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us or complete a Free Initial Assessment form.