Alcohol’s hidden climate impact
Dr Megan Cook – La Trobe University
In our latest podcast, Dr Megan Cook of La Trobe University discusses alcohol’s overlooked environmental impact. Dr Cook explores how alcohol production exacerbates climate harms, from water scarcity to packaging waste, and highlights the industry's "greenwashing" through corporate social responsibility campaigns. She argues that: "If we reduce alcohol consumption for health reasons, that’s going to have climate benefits. And if we reduce consumption for climate reasons, that’s going to have health benefits too." We also discussed a recent report from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and Zero Carbon Forum, which looked at the risk of climate change to the UK’s beer production. In a news article publicising the report, it stated that: “Concern was also raised in the report that crops may be prioritised for food rather than brewing, which would risk livelihoods across the supply chain.”