Carbon footprint of a traditional Chinese distilled spirit (Baijiu) with high-resolution supply-chain mapping

Abstract

The global alcoholic beverage industry contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, releasing approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent in 2021. China, as the world’s largest producer and consumer of distilled spirits, faces sustainability challenges due to the high carbon intensity of its baijiu industry. However, current research lacks detailed, high-resolution CF assessment for traditional baijiu products. This study develops a “12987 sauce-flavor baijiu CF model” using over 1,700 primary data points from a representative distillery producing 60,000 tonnes baijiu annually. The model includes 23 sub-modules covering the full cradle-to-gate life cycle. Results show a CF of 6,816 g CO₂-eq per 500 mL bottle, with crop cultivation, packaging process, and natural gas-based distillation, accounting for nearly 86% of total emissions. Targeted carbon reduction strategies are proposed for production and packaging stages. These findings provide actionable insights to support sustainable low-carbon transition in the baijiu sector and broader global spirits industry.