Sustainability in action with Muckle Brig

Written by Lauren Ridgley, Project Manager Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

“We believe net zero is not just a journey from which to learn from, but a mandatory one that we must venture down to ensure we maintain the value chain we have created. This affects every aspect of our operation, be that the lives of the staff we employ, the suppliers we source resources from, or the countries we liaise with to create products and services.  All aspects are considered and net zero is the guide in preserving them.” 

Fraser Walker, Sustainability Executive, Muckle Brig (pictured in the image above)

Edinburgh based drinks company, Muckle Brig, is leading the way in working towards net zero and sustainability with the support of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Net Zero project.

Who is Muckle Brig?

Muckle Brig, based in Leith, is the umbrella company behind Port of Leith Whisky Distillery, Lind and Lime Gin Distillery and The Leith Export Company. It is a wine and spirits purveyor, with a team of 75 across production, hospitality, sales and visitor experience.

Muckle Brig and Sustainability

Although Muckle Brig are at the start of their net zero journey, sustainability and climate action is at the core of the business.  Fraser Walker, Sustainability Executive said: “We are engaged in climate change because we need to be. If we are to meet our sector target of Net Zero by 2040, or the UK target of Net Zero by 2050 then now is the time to act. The responsibility of the land we use, ingredients we source, people we staff and place we reside in are our own – maintaining them is part of our company culture.”

Before joining the Net Zero Edinburgh cohort, Muckle Brig had already done significant work to start collating data to calculate their carbon emissions.  They also had a focus on their operational carbon footprint and ensuring a sustainable supply chain.  For example, their Lind and Lime Gin is 100% organic and plastic free, and the gin still uses 100% green electricity.  The whisky distillery uses locally sourced barley, less than 15 miles from the production site. Muckle Brig also support their visitors to make sustainable choices, encouraging them to take public transport with excellent bus, tram, walking and cycling links to their venues, which is showcased through their marketing materials on their website and advertising on Edinburgh Trams.

Engaging with the Net Zero Edinburgh project

To accelerate their progress, Muckle Brig joined a Net Zero cohort which provides businesses with tailored support to calculate their carbon footprint and to write a carbon reduction plan.  The cohort is part of the Net Zero Edinburgh project run by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  Fraser Walker stated: “We wouldn’t be where we are in our journey if it wasn’t for the Net Zero Edinburgh cohort.”

Over the next few months, the company will be focussing on creating a carbon report and strategy for the next year, aiming to publish this in 2025 which will help them strive towards their net zero target which is in line with the Scottish Whisky Association SBT of 2040.  Muckle Brig have also engaged with other initiatives which highlight their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Last year they became B Corp certified and earlier this year Lind and Lime was awarded the Green Tourism Gold Award. Both initiatives highlight the company’s commitment not only to their net zero journey, but also to the local community, to their employees, and to sustainable tourism practices.

The Net Zero Edinburgh project, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to support Edinburgh’s SMEs on their net zero journey as well as backing innovative decarbonisation projects in the city. For further information about the project and the support available please get in touch with the team at projects@edinburghchamber.co.uk