The environmental and climate impact from our consumption of wine and beer depends a lot on how and where what we drink is produced. Italy, Spain and France are the most wine-producing countries in the world, which means that most wine is produced in Europe. Of all the fruit grown in the world, grapes account for about 45%. Most beer is produced in China, the USA and Russia. Our Swedish folk beer contributes only to a ⅓ of the climate footprint of wine, according to a survey by RISE. The two biggest climate factors for alcoholic beverages come from shipping and packaging. The Swedes’ alcohol footprint shows an average of 52 kg CO2e per / year, according to a survey from RISE. Read more about a conscious consumption of wine and beer below.
Wine
- An ordinary wine has a climate footprint of about 2.16 kg CO2eq / L and a strong wine about 2.38 kg CO2e / L.
- Grapes are one of the most sprayed crops in Europe.
- The greatest impact in wine production comes from the large amount of pesticides used to counteract infestations by animals.
- The pesticides harm both animals, humans and the surrounding environment and can also remain in the grapes that are being turned into wine. The substances are often carcinogenic and can cause hormonal disruptions.
- Pesticide residues are generally uncommon in organic wines.
- On the other hand, organic crops generally give lower yields and smaller grapes per area, which is worse for the climate.
- In the wine industry, there are also problems with poor working conditions and low wages for the workers on the grape vineyards.
Beer
- A lot of energy and water is used to brew beer, from the cultivation of barley and hops to processing and brewing, recycling of residual materials, packaging and transport.
- There are differences in CO2e emissions from different beers, a folk beer produced in Sweden has a climate footprint of 0.73 kg CO2e / L and a strong beer that is produced outside Sweden and shipped longer has a climate footprint of 0.81 kg CO2e / L.
- In recent years, several new microbreweries have emerged around Sweden with small-scale production of beer, which is positive from a climate point of view because it reduces transport.
- There is also a growing range of beers brewed from organic ingredients at Systembolaget.
Transport and packaging for wine and beer
- Transporting beverages in a tank by boat gives a lower climate footprint than transporting heavy bottles by truck or train.
- Tetras, boxes, aluminum cans and PET bottles give a smaller climate footprint than lightweight bottles and glass bottles.
- Transporting drinks from Europe in bulk by boat to Sweden, and then pouring them in boxes would have been the most optimal from a climate point of view.
Advice for conscious consumption of wine and beer
- To reduce the environmental impact of your climate footprint of wine and beer, it may be best to simply reduce your consumption.
- Choose organic and locally produced beer to protect the environment and reduce transport.
- Choose organic and Fairtrade-labeled wine, to avoid pesticide residues and to reward decent working conditions.
- To support local small-scale producers and protect the environment – find your nearest beer brewer. A plus is if this is a member of the organization “Swedish Breweries”, which conducts active environmental work.
- Preferably choose drinks packaged in tetras, boxes, aluminum and PET bottles. Sort your packaging according to the instructions when it is empty.
- Grapes are one of the most sprayed crops in Europe.
- The pesticides harm both animals, humans and the surrounding environment and can also remain in the grapes that are being turned into wine. The substances can be carcinogenic or disrupt the hormonal system.
- Pesticide residues, on the other hand, are uncommon in organic wines.
- In the wine industry, there are also problems with poor working conditions and low wages for farm workers on the grape vineyards.
- A lot of energy and water is used to brew beer, from the cultivation of barley and hops to processing and brewing, recycling of residual materials, packaging and transport.
- In recent years, several new microbreweries have emerged around Sweden with small-scale production of beer, which is positive from a climate point of view because it reduces transport.
- There is also a growing range of beers brewed from organic ingredients at Systembolaget.
Page updated 2021.
