OUR JOURNEY
BECOMING CARBON NEUTRAL
It's is not easy being green, everyone leaves a carbon footprint.
As a small business, we’re committed to understanding and reducing our carbon footprint, ensuring both sustainability and long-term success. Measuring and cutting emissions allows us to improve efficiency, make smarter resource choices, and operate more responsibly. Consumers are increasingly drawn to eco-conscious brands, so acting not only strengthens our credibility and trust but also helps protect the planet for future generations. From renewable energy and sustainable sourcing to waste reduction, we believe that small changes lead to big impact. Here’s how we’re making a difference.
NET ZERO
In order to prevent the worst climate damages, global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) need to fall by about 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching net zero around 2050. Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere.
The term net zero is important because – for CO2 at least – this is the state at which global warming stops. This aligns with the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5C. The greatest challenge is to get everyone pulling the same direction.
TAKING STEPS
Downton Distillery recognises that within our supply chain there are items that provide a large carbon footprint. These items include our glass bottles, their production, decoration, haulage and the use of non-native botanicals. Our gas operated alembic still, and van also have their own carbon footprints.
We aim to address some of the above issues, using recycled glass and growing our own botanicals. But some items are impossible to remove unless we reduce our carbon footprint by creating a tax for ourselves. This can only be achieved through partnerships, without greenwashing with a mix of technology and planting.
WHAT IS GREEN WASHING?
This is when a company will either convey a false impression or provide misleading information about how a company's products are environmentally sound. Greenwashing is an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly or have a greater positive environmental impact than what is true.
Unfortunately, tree-planting is often used as a greenwashing channel, with programmes often unregulated. Many of us have had the opportunity at some point to click a link on our phone or computer and offset our carbon footprint by planting a few trees. Often, they’re in a remote spot on the other side of the world. A recent BBC article showed how off-track some projects have strayed. They found that along the Philippine coast of Iloilo, mangroves had been planted in the sandier coastal areas, rather than the muddy creeks which is their natural habitat, because it was easier to plant them there. About 88% had died.
In January 2025, environmental scientists accused English water companies of using greenwashing tactics to obscure environmental harm. The companies allegedly downplayed issues like sewage overflows and misrepresented data, often shifting blame onto customers while neglecting aging infrastructure.
CARBON CAPTURE THROUGH TREES
Trees are nature’s most powerful carbon capturers, absorbing CO₂ through photosynthesis, storing it in their trunks, branches, and roots, and releasing oxygen back into the air. This process is vital in fighting climate change, reducing pollution, and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing billions of tons of CO₂ annually, making them essential in balancing global emissions.
But it’s not just about planting trees, mixed forests play a crucial role in carbon capture, biodiversity preservation and sustainable timber production without adding to pollution. Effective reforestation requires a long-term, holistic approach, ensuring forests are managed sustainably for both wildlife and people. It’s an investment that takes time, expertise, and resources to succeed.
That’s why we’re working with Eco Tree, a B Corp company based in Denmark, to plant a diverse mix of trees across Europe. With your help, 100 trees will capture 720 tons of CO₂ over their lifetime—a real, measurable impact for the future. We are also rewilding Juniper back onto the Wiltshire Downs with the help of the Great Bustard Group. If you would like to help us please contact info@downtondistillery.com.
CARBON CAPTURE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
We're proud to support this carbon removal project, combining nature and cutting-edge technology to combat CO₂ emissions. Beyond tree planting, we've explored innovative solutions powered by renewable energy, leading us to Iceland and an exciting partnership with Climeworks and Carbfix. Their groundbreaking process captures CO₂ and turns it into stone, mimicking a natural mineralization process that locks carbon away safely and permanently. This pioneering approach is a game-changer, with other companies vesting in this technology in the fight against climate change, ensuring CO₂ is removed, not just offset. We're excited to be part of a future-focused solution that’s as solid as rock.
In 2021, Climeworks launched Orca, the world’s first large-scale direct air capture facility in Iceland. Using giant fans, it pulls in air, trapping CO₂ in a special filter before injecting it underground. There, the CO₂ mixes with water and reacts with basalt rock, transforming into solid carbonate minerals—effectively turning captured carbon into stone forever. Orca removes 4,000 tons of CO₂ per year, a small step compared to the 33 billion tons emitted annually, but a game-changing innovation. In 2024, Climeworks scaled up with Mammoth, a facility capable of capturing 36,000 tons of CO₂ annually, pushing carbon removal technology to new heights.
Pumping carbon dioxide into the ground, as described above, is not the only available method of disposal. Energy companies can mix it with hydrogen to make fuel and farmers can feed plants with it. Manufacturers can use recycled carbon dioxide to carbonate drinks; this might be particularly useful given the shortages of carbon dioxide prevalent throughout the UK back in 2021.
Using recycled carbon dioxide could be a useful ‘fix’ for the carbonation industry as well as providing another disposal method for carbon capture companies.
HOW TO MEASURE
Do you know your CO₂ footprint? And more importantly, would you know how to measure it?
Many of us have no idea what our carbon footprint actually is or how to track it. Over the past few years, I’ve tried to calculate ours, juggling spreadsheets to avoid pricey consultant fees. But as businesses aim to achieve Net Zero, tracking emissions has become more accessible. Now, free tools and calculators are available (often within subscription models), making it easier than ever to understand, measure, and reduce your impact. So, why not take a closer look at your footprint?
Scope emissions are categorized into three groups to help businesses measure their carbon footprint:
- Scope 1 emissions: Covers the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions that a company makes directly — for example while running its boilers and vehicles.
- Scope 2 emissions: Covers indirect emissions that a company makes indirectly – like when the electricity or energy it buys for heating and cooling buildings.
- Scope 3 emissions: Covers emissions associated, not with the company itself, but that the organisation is indirectly responsible for, up and down its value chain. For example, from buying products from its suppliers, and from its products when customers use them.
Scope 3 emissions are the hardest to map because they involve external suppliers, logistics, and customer behavior, making them complex, data-heavy, and difficult to track accurately.
OUR FOOTPRINT
We previously used the Normative reporting tool, but with its retirement in 2024, we transitioned to Emitwise in 2025, working alongside SME Climate Hub to accurately map our carbon footprint. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we’ve also made our SME Climate Commitment, pledging to track and report our progress over the next 18 months. To ensure transparency and accountability, our efforts will be validated through Green Small Business, reinforcing our dedication to measurable climate action.
- 2022 CO2 footprint was 12.6mT. Our supply chain (scope 3) accounted for 75% of this footprint.
- 2023 CO2 footprint was 19.7mT. Our supply chain (scope 3) accounted for 78% of this footprint.
We tackle our carbon footprint through a combination of Carbon Offsets and Carbon Removals. Offsets include planting juniper, trees, and supporting renewable energy projects, while removals focus on direct air capture (like the Orca Project) and reforestation efforts. Every small step—from restoring ecosystems to investing in cutting-edge carbon capture—contributes to a greener future.
REWILDING
