Sparkling water is booming. But with more bubbles comes a hidden climate question: what’s the carbon footprint of your fizzy drink?

Most commercial carbonated water is produced using pressurized CO₂, often sourced from industrial processes. While your sparkling water habit isn’t the biggest emitter, the beverage industry’s CO₂ use is under scrutiny as climate awareness grows.

The good news? Home carbonation systems like SodaStream can significantly reduce packaging waste and transportation emissions. Even better, startups are now using captured CO₂ from the air to carbonate drinks—creating a more circular beverage system.

💡 What to watch: Brands using climate-friendly carbonation and the rise of “net-zero” soda lines.