Beer Made from Recycled Water Highlights Sustainable Solutions at COP29

This year at the COP29 climate summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan, unconventional beverage choices have become a highlight, notably Singapore's NEWBrew, a pilsner crafted from recycled toilet water. The event, attended by delegates and observers in a transformed soccer stadium, has turned into a culinary experience as much as a political gathering. The Australian pavilion has drawn crowds with its free coffee while the Azerbaijani hosts charm attendees with traditional tea served from ornate samovars.

Singapore's delegation stands out, however, by offering a beer that heralds the nation's water reclamation efforts. "At first their eyes widen," says Samantha Thian, a member of Singapore’s youth delegation. Yet, this initial surprise quickly turns to intrigue, as many return for another taste. The decision to brew this beer is a strategic move by Singapore's national water agency in partnership with Brewerkz, emphasizing the importance of recycling and water sustainability in a climate-conscious forum.

The innovative product comes in eye-catching pastel cans, adorned with solar panels and rain clouds, inviting those at the summit to not only taste but also reflect on global water conservation practices. The marketing of NEWBrew aligns perfectly with the summit's ethos, as delegates discuss urgent climate issues while savoring a sustainable product born from necessity in a city facing freshwater scarcity.