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Scotch whisky edges closer to green targets
The Scotch whisky industry has moved closer to achieving its “ambitious” environmental targets, according to a new report.
A new report by the SWA has found that greenhouse emissions in the Scotch whisky industry have reduced by 10% since 2008In its annual environmental report, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) found that the industry is embracing the use of non-fossil fuel and investing “significantly” in renewable energies in a bid to achieve environmental targets set out in 2009.
As part of the environmental strategy, which encompasses the entire manufacturing sector in Scotland, the Scotch whisky industry pledged to endeavour to reduce greenhouse emissions, move away from fossil fuel and avoid sending waste from packaging operations to landfill.
The report revealed that 5% of packaging waste was sent to landfill last year and greenhouse emissions had reduced 10% since 2008, while renewable energy use reached 16%, compared with 3% in 2008.
According to the SWA, these reductions have come at a time when Scotch whisky production increased by 11% to meet global demand.
“At a time when the industry is growing its distillation capacity in Scotland, green investments are at the heart of the companies’ commitments,” said Julie Hesketh-Laird, SWA director of operational and technical affairs.
“Renewable projects in particular have caught the imagination of the Scotch whisky industry and have attracted multi-million pound capital investment.”
The report highlights a number of initiatives undertaken by industry members to achieve these shared green aims, including Diageo’s investment in a new biomass plant in Speyside, Tomatin’s installation of a wood pellet fuelled steam boiler and Chivas Brothers’ electric car fleet.
Hesketh-Laird continued: “There are excellent examples of the commitment to sustainability from a number of Scotch whisky producers in this year’s report. They provide a snapshot of the type of projects distillers are investing in.”
Earlier this year, Scottish authorities attempted to cut environmental harm caused by Scotch whisky production by trialling a system allowing the spirit to be transported from Speyside to central Scotland by train.