Sustainability and environmental issues regarding alcohol have been overlooked by drinkers and governments Alcohol is a discretionary, non-essential product that causes over 200 health conditions.1 The harm that alcohol causes to health, society and the economy is already well-known. However, the damage caused to the environment, sustainable development, and human rights across the lifecycle of alcoholic products has received little attention so far. Much of this harm is invisible to drinkers, and is also not taken into account by governments formulating alcohol policy.