Carlsberg Malaysia Pledges RM600,000 for Forest Conservation

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia said on Thursday that it would contribute RM600,000 to forest conservation and biodiversity projects in Malaysia, a move the company framed as part of its effort to protect water supplies and strengthen environmental resilience as climate pressures grow.

The announcement was made at the residence of the Danish ambassador to Malaysia during a celebration marking the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026. The brewery said the money would go to the Malaysia Forest Fund, a financial entity that develops and carries out forest conservation solutions. Environmental groups will be able to apply for grants through the fund’s Forest Conservation Certificate mechanism to support biodiversity projects across the country.

Stefano Clini, managing director of Carlsberg Malaysia, said the company viewed forest protection as directly tied to its business because water is the main ingredient in beer. He said the quality and availability of water depend on healthy forest ecosystems, making conservation important for both communities and companies.

“This partnership with MFF marks the beginning of long-term collaboration and accountability,” Clini said, adding that it aligned with the brewer’s goal of balancing growth with strict environmental, social and governance practices.

The event was attended by Kirstine Vangkilde Berner, Denmark’s ambassador to Malaysia; Rafael Daerr, the European Union ambassador to Malaysia; Pearl Lai, Carlsberg Malaysia’s corporate affairs and sustainability director; and representatives from the Malaysia Forest Fund. The company said the partnership also fits with its role as a founding member of the Green Transition Alliance, an initiative led by the Danish Embassy in Malaysia that seeks to bring together governments, businesses and partners around environmental action.

Daerr said in remarks at the event that forests are important carbon sinks and play a central role in climate resilience and sustainable development. He said ecosystem protection is becoming more relevant as sustainability concerns are increasingly built into economic and trade frameworks.

Lai said Carlsberg Malaysia aims to reach zero carbon emissions by 2030. She said the company has focused on circularity by reducing waste and regenerating natural systems, noting that about 90% of its bottles are returnable and refillable. She also said the brewer had cut carbon emissions by 10% from 2024 to 2025 through a brewery transformation project in which it has invested more than RM300 million over the past four years.

The company’s sponsorship comes as large beverage makers face growing pressure to secure water supplies, reduce emissions and show that their operations can withstand climate-related risks. For brewers, those concerns are especially tied to forests, watersheds and land use, since changes in those systems can affect both production and local communities.