Whisky won’t cost the earth thanks to new £10m green innovation fund

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ELEVEN whisky distilleries in Scotland are to benefit from a new £10 million fund to help implement green innovations at their facilities.

The UK Government initiative will help the distilleries harness energy sources such as low-carbon hydrogen, biomass and repurposed waste to power their operations.

The distilleries, which also include six in England, will receive between £44,000 and £75,000 in the first phase of funding to help them boost decarbonisation research.

UK energy and clean growth minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, said, “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.”

In 2019, the UK distilleries industry grew by 20%, highlighting the opportunity for the sector to be at the heart of the UK’s green and resilient recovery from coronavirus.

UK Government Scotland minister, Iain Stewart, added, “It is fantastic to see so many Scottish distilleries awarded this UK government funding. Scotland is world famous for its whisky and gin, with the spirits industry one of our greatest success stories. This new funding will help the industry continue to build on its great work in tackling climate change.

“From Aberdeen and Glasgow to Orkney and South Uist, this funding will help create jobs, support local businesses and communities and build back greener ahead of COP26 in Glasgow later this year.”