As the spotlight on sustainable consumption intensifies, a rising force exists within the alcohol industry. Demand for eco products sought by today's conscious consumers is beginning to change the drinks industry's taxing effect on the planet.
With a strong sense of creating a new extraordinary, the undercurrents transforming consumer desire for imbibing occasions stems from ethical action. Consumers are looking for more than the flavour profile of the drinks they consume and are showing significant interest in the distilling origins to understand its carbon footprint seeking out the pioneers of change.
Mitigating environmental impact and creating better experiences for today's discerning sustainable sipper demands innovation in delivering real change with rising importance on businesses focused on vesting in communities and localism from sustainable solutions.
Saving the planet from a bad hangover
Committing to finding organic ways to raise the bar to make conscious choices requires businesses to act dutifully to transform the industry. Brands will need to make long-term commitments to support critical environmental issues, producing eco-responsible alcohol that doesn't cost the earth.
Local produce. Sourcing raw ingredients locally or farming responsibly to sow, grow and harvest crops, using regionally grown natural ingredients and surplus produce deemed unsuitable for retail fosters responsibility and traceability in an eco-friendly supply chain. Consumers will be on the lookout for brands that place their communities' credentials at the front of their operations.
Nurturing mother nature. Focus on environmental stewardship. Draw water from local springs, forage botanicals from gardens and fields, honey from local bees, whilst respecting nature and adopting conservation initiatives to give back to the community where you take from, such as planting wildflower meadows and trees.
Repurpose for zero waste. With all the food wasted or lost from inefficient practices, there are substantial gains from upcycling food giving wasteful ingredients a purpose and keeping it in the production chain to divert CO2 from landfill food, preventing unnecessary greenhouse gasses. Understanding how to boost the flavour profile from discarded or alternative unconventional ingredients will create new experiences.
Smart bottling. From recycled packaging materials such as a fully recycled cardboard bottle, glass counterparts reduce plastic-free paper while having a carbon footprint six times lower than glass. Carbon reduction refill solutions that don't lose the pleasure of pouring from the bottle eradicate a vast disposable circulation of single-use bottles.
Design doing good. Using design to shift cultures to create conversations that align with consumer values and resonate more deeply through solidarity. Design can address environmental and social issues utilising its creativity for good, cutting through the clutter to create positive change and impact.
Environmental impact. Water and energy are the two most significant contributors of impact in the industry. Being powered by regenerative biomass, or biofuel hydrogenated vegetable oil, renewable fuels reduce carbon gas emissions by 90%. Integrating a closed-loop system saves substantial amounts of water during the cooling process of spirits.
Climate positive. Steering clear of fertilisers with natural, sustainable solutions, distilleries powered with renewable electricity and solar power, cleverly reusing the waste produced and putting it back into the production process are significant changes towards carbon-neutral production removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Treading a little more lightly on the planet
Climatarian alcohol brands are scratching the surface, changing conversations with innovative sustainable practices that consider the ecological footprint and agriculture needs in a changing climate creating better eco products.
Embedding sustainability beyond the day-to-day operations, the future could hold unclassified spirits being born from a revolution of new sustainable applications and methods, with unfamiliar ingredients, flavours and sensory experiences.
We'll see brands working with substrate ingredients already thriving in the changing world, expanding creatively with futurist drinks defining the classifications of alcohol - new extraordinary stories being born for discerning drinkers to embrace and unravel.
Opportunities for brands to reimagine new experiences with a competitive, sustainable edge will create waves within the alcohol industry. Peaks and movements of crisis and joy will create and captivate new narratives and journeys.
How these stories unfold and connect with consumers who value the positive impact will be the key to transforming the industry's future whilst protecting the planet.
Contact us at contactus@defy-brands.com to learn more about our sustainability approach and how DEFY// can help your business create future climate brands.
