Drink consumption in France, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, has a significant environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, use of natural resources, water and land pollution , as well as other environmental impacts.
In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, beverages have variable impacts depending on their production, transport and storage. Alcoholic beverages, for example, are often produced from raw materials that require fertilizers and pesticides, as well as energy-intensive processes for processing and transportation. Soft drinks such as coffee and tea also have significant environmental impacts due to their production, transportation and packaging.
Additionally, beverage production uses significant amounts of water and energy, contributing to the depletion of natural resources. Packaging such as plastic bottles and aluminum cans can also have significant environmental impacts, due to their production, transport and disposal.
According to a study by the Ecological Transition Agency (ADEME), published in 2016, drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, represent around 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions in France. In terms of specific consumption, soft drinks account for around 70% of beverage-related greenhouse gas emissions, while alcoholic drinks account for around 30%.
It is therefore important to take into account the environmental impacts of beverages during their production, transport, storage and consumption, and to seek more sustainable alternatives to reduce their overall environmental impact.
Sources:
- ADEME. (2016). Beverages in the household carbon footprint. https://www.ademe.fr/sites/default/files/assets/documents/boissons-bilan-carbone-menages.pdf
- Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food's environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), 987-992.
- CIRAIG. (2017). Life cycle analysis of non-alcoholic drinks. https://www.ciraig.org/fr/publications/analyse-du-cycle-de-vie-des-boissons-non-alcoholicisees/