UK government serves up first phase of £10m green distilleries funding

The government has today announced that it is implementing the first phase of a £10m funding round to make the UK’s distilleries greener.

The Green Distilleries Fund will see support allocated to 17 distilleries in the UK, in a scheme that the government says will prevent pollution equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road.

The chosen distilleries will receive between £44k and £75k, aimed at boosting decarbonisation research and development.

Kwasi Kwarteng, energy and clean growth minister, commented: “Building back greener from the pandemic is something we can all raise a toast to.

“Every business can play a part in the green industrial revolution and this funding will allow UK distilleries to lead the way by making their production cleaner while also creating jobs.”

Dagmar Droogsma, director of industry at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “The Green Distilleries Fund is an important step on the industry’s journey towards net-zero.

“It will help the industry test new technologies, like hydrogen, which can be rolled out at scale in future years and enable Scotch Whisky to further drive down emissions and protect the natural environment.

“With COP26 taking place in Glasgow this year, the Scotch whisky industry has ambitious plans to build on the success of the last decade when distilleries cut greenhouse gas emissions by 34 per cent.

“There is more to do, but with continued support from government the Scotch whisky industry can continue to work towards a more sustainable future.”