Spirit drink producers reduce green house gases

Published: 23 July, 2008

Figures published by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), shows a reduction in the spirit drinks sector's carbon dioxide releases.

The latest set of sectoral Climate Change Agreement results covering the period October 2005 to September 2006 show the spirits drinks sector now uses 13.5% less energy per litre of alcohol produced compared to the 1999 baseline level.

Although spirits production was up 4% during the period, the sector's carbon dioxide releases are down 10%.

Edwin Atkinson, director general of The Gin & Vodka Association said: UK distillers can take some pride that their investment in efficiencies and updated equipment have helped them to meet Government targets and in turn reduce carbon dioxide releases.

"These are encouraging results and show that we are an industry living up to or excellent record of environmental protection."

Julie Hesketh-Laid, director of operational and technical affairs, said: "Protecting the natural environment form which we draw our raw materials is fundamental. These results represent good news for the environment as well as savings to companies in their energy bills.

"Moving forward, energy-efficiency will remain a key focus for distillers, with environmental sustainability at the forefront of industry planning."

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