Enjoying Eco-Friendly: The Sustainability Trend in the Whisky Business

Sustainability is a trend everywhere by now. Whether in the kitchen, in the bathroom or in the laundry room: for many consumers it is important to buy and also to eat and drink in a way that has as little impact on the environment as possible. And now this is also the case in the home bar, because Whisky connoisseurs are also increasingly attaching importance to environmentally friendly enjoyment.

Sustainability is now a trend everywhere. Whether in the kitchen, in the bathroom or in the laundry room: for many consumers it is important to buy and also to eat and drink in a way that has as little impact on the environment as possible. And now this is also the case in the home bar, because Whisky connoisseurs are also increasingly attaching importance to environmentally friendly enjoyment. Due to the CO2 emissions caused by long transport routes for raw materials and casks, as well as the production of the bottles and casks, this idea is not unfounded.


The Sustainability Strategy of the Scotch Whisky Association
In 2021, the Scotch Whisky Association, the SWA, published its 'Sustainability Strategy'. The aim is to protect nature, conserve resources and keep emissions low in Whisky production, too. The Sustainability Strategy builds on the Environmental Strategy already established in 2009.
In 2020, a status report summarised the goals already achieved in this project:

  • Greenhouse gas emissions at Whisky production sites have been reduced by 34%.
  • 28% of primary energy is sourced from non-fossil fuel sources (down from 21% in 2016).
  • Water efficiency in the Scotch Whisky industry has improved by 22% since 2012.
  • Only 1% of waste now needs to go to landfill (2016: 4%).


However, the SWA also acknowledges developments that do not go hand in hand with the sustainability strategy. For example, packaging weight has not been reduced by and large. On the contrary, it has increased by an average of 2.6% since 2012. This is primarily due to the growing premium segment in the Scotch Whisky industry.
Now the SWA wants to go one step further and achieve net zero emissions by 2040. In plain language, this means that in 18 years' time, the industry no longer wants to be dependent on fossil fuels, but will use renewable energy sources, transport Scotch Whisky exclusively by rail or in electric vehicles, or use completely recyclable, sustainably sourced materials for packaging. In order to achieve the major goal of 'Net Zero1' by 2040, the organisation has set itself a number of interim goals. For example, by 2025 they want to establish a so-called circular economy in which all packaging materials can be reused, recycled or composted. By 2035, they want to create environmental benefits for the common good, for example by playing an active role in the restoration and conservation of Scotland's peatlands.

Practical Examples: Sustainable Distilleries
In theory, of course, this all sounds great! But what does this mean in practice and in everyday Whisky production? Some distilleries are setting a good example and establishing processes that promote sustainable Whisky production. It doesn't matter whether it is long-established distilleries rethinking their methods or young distilleries with completely new production concepts. At Bowmore, for example, the heat produced for distillation continues to rise upwards, where the barley is simultaneously dried on the malting floor. In addition, an Islay community pool is heated with the energy. At Macallan, there are green roofs on the new distillery, which opened in 2018, providing habitats for native birds and insects. In addition, the cooling water from the Spey is returned to the river afterwards, except for a sparse evaporated portion. Another Islay distillery, Bruichladdich, has set itself the goal of becoming 'Net Zero' in distillation by 2025, with other production steps to follow. The way to get there is via green hydrogen production through green energy and water electrolysis, as opposed to conventional gases that release CO2. Initially, this is being solved through a green energy tariff, but it is hoped that in the next few years renewable energy can be sourced from around the island, for example with wind energy.
The Highland distillery Nc'Nean, which opened in 2017, has made ecological quality and sustainability a priority from the start: Recycled and biodegradable packaging and the use of 100% renewable energy make Nc'Nean an officially recognised 'Net Zero Distillery' (because the few emissions that are produced are made up for by planting trees). The Highland distillery Arbikie, which opened in 2013, adopted the so-called 'field-to-bottle' approach: all spirits produced there, including Gin and Vodka, are made from raw materials grown on their own premises. The barley is grown organically on the estate, and the draff from the mashing process is fed to the cattle, whose dung is used as fertiliser, in turn. Since 2014, Ardnamurchan distillery, also in the Scottish Highlands, has been drawing all its energy and heating power from regional renewable resources: More specifically, it comes from a biomass boiler fuelled by woodchips from a local forestry or, alternatively, in the form of hydroelectricity gathered from a nearby river, which also provides the distillery's cooling water. In addition, the Whisky packaging is made from 100% recycled material and here, too, the draff is fed to animals.