Net Zero Nation Co-Founder and CEO Gavin Tweedie attended the Scottish Distillery Conference 2023.
We operate in the world of SMEs, responsible for 42% of emissions and they find it the hardest to enact Net Zero. The event confirmed the Net Zero Nation belief that collaboration, co-working and innovation along with cultural change are necessary to reach Net Zero targets.
that 90% of the Drinks Industry Emissions are in the Supply Chain (Scope 3)
35% of emissions come from packaging including glass
30% is in the ingredients like Barley
30% is in logistics and Capex
An illuminating panel session provided some great insights including:
Annabel Thomas at Nc'nean Distillery
Michael Alexander at Diageo
Stuart Falconer at Michael Laird Architects
Morag Garden at The English Whisky Guild
Jim Rankin at Rankin Brothers & Sons
Annabel has built the Nc’nean brand on a strong sustainable footing, but stresses, "no one is perfect and there is always more to do. More collaboration and co-working will bring the innovation that's needed."
Michael at Diageo highlighted "we cannot get to Net Zero without the supply chain. Right now, no one really knows how to get to Net Zero. So we need to be open to collaboration and learning. Greenwashing can undermine the good work that is going on."
Morag spoke about being collaborative across the supply chain and by delving into Scope 3, it allows you to get into the SME Community where impact can be made.
Jim reiterated "Scope 3 is fraught with challenges that need long term collaboration."
While Stuart remarked "The Pandemic forced a change in the supply of materials and since then it's become more common to seek local suppliers where less disruption is likely."
The transition to Net Zero requires a mass upskilling of the industry and the supply chain. Bringing different industries together to innovate and collaborate will create more progress on the innovation needed to decarbonise.