A SCOTTISH distillery has laid claim to being the first in the UK to reach net zero emissions for its production – beating the whisky industry target by two decades.
Nc’nean Distillery in Drimnin, on the west coast, achieved the target after introducing a number of sustainable practices in its production, including using 100% renewable energy, powering its biomass boiler with woodchip from a forest two miles away from the distillery (with all trees replanted), and bottling its spirit in 100% recycled glass bottles.
The company’s carbon footprint was verified by consultancy Environmental Strategies, which confirmed that the few emissions resulting from its production process are less than the amount the business has removed from the atmosphere.
The Scotch whisky industry collectively announced earlier this year that it aims to reach net zero emissions by 2040, with all product packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
Nc’nean began production in March 2017 and founder Annabel Thomas said the net zero accreditation is “our greatest achievement so far”.
“From the moment we started out on this adventure, there have been plenty of people who told us that using renewable energy would be too hard and that organic barley would be impossible to work with,” she said.
“Many even said that using a 100% recycled glass bottle just wasn’t the done thing in premium spirits!
“I am incredibly proud of our small team, who have put their hearts and souls into overcoming all of these barriers to create a delicious whisky with the lowest possible footprint – and 20 years ahead of the industry’s target!”
