Collaborative Strategies for Decarbonizing Corn Production

This white paper addresses the decarbonization of corn production within the Kentucky bourbon industry. It outlines the unique context of the bourbon sector, where large and small distilleries share sourcing regions, thus creating opportunities for collaborative action. The document highlights the ambitious climate goals set by major distilleries and the potential for sustainability to serve as a product differentiation strategy for smaller distilleries. The analysis includes a literature review and interviews with key stakeholders in the bourbon supply chain, such as farmers and industry representatives. Key recommendations are presented to enhance communication between companies and farmers, improve farmer assistance, support critical research, and develop strategic business cases. The overarching strategy emphasizes collective financing and action across the industry to effectively tackle the challenges of decarbonizing corn production. By implementing these recommendations, the Kentucky bourbon industry can enhance its supply chain resilience and contribute to broader climate mitigation efforts.