The Hindu Business Line : Scotch whisky cos pledge to cut fossil fuel use by 80%

Eco strategy
Eliminate sending waste from packaging operations to landfill sites
To source future whisky casks only from sustainable oak forests
Maintain the highest standards of water use and discharge management.

Our Bureau

Bangalore, June 6 Scotch whisky companies have pledged to cut their use of fossil fuels by 80 per cent by 2050, under the first industry-wide environmental strategy published on Thursday.

The fossil fuel reduction amounts to an annual saving of over 750,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050 — the equivalent of taking 235,000 cars off Scotland’s roads, a press statement from the Scotch Whisky Association said.

The statement said according to the strategy report, apart from reduction in use of fossil fuels, other measures which are being considered are: a significant reduction in the average weight of packaging used; the elimination of sending waste from packaging operations to landfill sites; a commitment to source future whisky casks only from sustainable oak forests; and to maintain the highest standards of water use and discharge management.

The ‘big ticket’ goals will be achieved through improved operational efficiency and continued investment in innovative technologies, with an emphasis on renewable sources of energy. Targets have been set in two phases, 2020 and 2050, and the industry has volunteered to publish its achievements annually to show what progress has been made, the press statement said.

‘Bold move’

The Environmental Strategy took two years to produce and was sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association. “Today’s launch of our first industry-wide Environmental Strategy is a bold move by distillers. We believe it demonstrates our commitment to securing Scotch Whisky’s future, addressing issues of the environment and the economy,” said the association’s Chief Executive, Mr Gavin Hewitt.

“Investment of over £100 million has been approved in environment-related improvements over the last 18 months alone. The good news is that we are making more whisky but already using less energy.”

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