Moray MP Douglas Ross visited Dalmunach distillery in Carron today to learn more about how the Scotch Whisky industry is making strides in sustainability, helping produce sustainable Scotch from grain to glass.
The visit was held as part of the industry-wide ‘Countdown to COP’ event which saw the Scotch Whisky industry open its doors to MSPs and MPs across Scotland. Visitors learned more about the sector’s commitment to reduce its environmental impact and be a leader in sustainability, 100 days ahead of the COP26 conference in Glasgow this November. Douglas met with Graeme Cruikshank and Ronald Daalmans from Chivas and Graeme Littlejohn from the Scotch Whisky Association, who discussed what the industry is doing to improve its sustainability credentials and tackle climate change.
Sites throughout Scotland opened their doors to showcase how Scotch Whisky companies are working hard to reduce their environmental impact, following the launch of the industry’s Sustainability Strategy earlier this year. The Scotch Whisky industry has committed to hit net zero emissions in industry operations by 2040 - five years ahead of the Scottish Government’s target, and 10 years ahead of the UK Government’s target - as well as dramatically reducing the sector’s environmental impact in key areas including packaging, water use and land use.
The industry was the first of its kind to launch a sector-wide Environmental Strategy in 2009: since then, it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a third, improved water efficiency by 22%, and made a 75% reduction in waste to landfill.
Commenting after the visit, Douglas said: “Dalmunach is not just a stunning distillery to look at, deservedly winning awards for its design and construction, but it is also playing it’s part to protect the environment and contribute to the sustainability of Scotch Whisky production.
“100 days out from the COP26 conference is an opportunity to assess what is being done by the industry to be more environmentally friendly and to meet their own targets of net zero emissions by 2040. It was very impressive to tour round Dalmunach and see first-hand the measures they have put in place to be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
“Being home to so many Scotch Whisky distilleries, Moray has a big role to play in the ambitious plans of the industry and I know all our local distilleries will do what they can in the run-up to COP26 and beyond to produce Scotch in the most sustainable way possible.”
Graeme Littlejohn, Director of Strategy for the SWA, added: “The Scotch Whisky industry is proud of progress already make to drive down our environmental impact, but there is much more to do. Our new sustainability strategy commits us to go further and faster and underlines the industry’s commitment to reach net-zero by 2040.
“It has been great to see such fantastic support throughout Scotland as distilleries and supply chain sites open their doors. We look forward to November’s COP26 conference as a chance for the Scotch Whisky industry to showcase its ambition to tackle climate change, and to be a key player in the conversations around how business and government can work together in the race to zero.”
