The COP26 Whisky
Scotch Whisky is Scotland’s national drink. Made from just three natural ingredients – water, yeast, and cereals – it’s a spirit of unrivalled quality. Taking care of these resources, from some of the most beautiful parts of the country, is vital.
This industry, more than five centuries old, has a long tradition of collaboration. In that spirit, producers from each of Scotland’s five whisky regions came together to create a limited-edition blended whisky to mark the 2021 COP26 conference in Glasgow.
What is the COP26 Scotch Whisky?
The COP26 limited edition Scotch Whisky was blended and bottled in the host city of Glasgow, and is comprised of whiskies produced at 26 distilleries across Scotland’s five Whisky regions.
Each of the 900 hand crafted bottles was produced using sustainable materials: the bottle is made of recycled glass, stoppered with a cork made of an innovative, fully recyclable mix of wood and cork dust. The label is made from recycled plant fibres, including barley, with the carton produced from 100% recycled materials. Every bottle was carefully hand filled just a stone’s throw from the COP26 negotiations.
Showcasing #SustainableScotch
Through the Scotch Whisky industry’s Sustainability Strategy, producers are setting an example and moving the whole sector towards net zero by 2040.
Ambitious targets have been set, new technologies are being tested, and the industry is fully committed to tackling the climate crisis and safeguarding Scotch Whisky for future generations.
By working closely with our partners, regulators, innovators and other industries, Scotch Whisky can be at the heart of the blueprint to protect the unique environment that makes Scotland – and its spirit – so special.
The efforts of the Scotch whisky industry, which is world-renowned, to reach net zero is a great example of the change we need to see.
- UK Government COP26 team
The whisky was created to showcase the Scotch Whisky industry’s sustainability commitments. Earlier this year the industry launched its new Sustainability Strategy, which commits the sector to reaching net zero emissions by 2040, as well as to other ambitious environmental targets.
In recognition of the industry’s commitment to sustainability, the Scotch Whisky Association was confirmed as an official Race to Zero partner in October 2021 by the United Nations COP26 Climate Champions team, a global campaign which commits non-government sectors to reducing the impact of climate change.