Pernod Ricard, the second largest producer of wine and spirits in the world, has officially become one of the international companies that have made a commitment to the preservation of the environment, signified by the recent launch of its 2030 Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap.
The roadmap, an integral part of the Group’s strategic plan Transform & Accelerate, sets 8 ambitious but concrete targets in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Revealed at Martell Cognac distillery in France, these commitments will see the Pernod Group take bold next steps in addressing environmental topics, including measures to preserve the terroirs its products come from. The Group is also taking bold steps in addressing social responsibility issues: particularly the fight against alcohol misuse.
As part of the big reveal, a special film that has been shot with 52 proud employees from Pernod Ricard Spain to launch the new strategy.
Pernod Ricard Philippines, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Pernod Group, was created in March 2006 following the acquisition of Allied Domecq. It includes the following leading international spirit and wine brands in its portfolio: Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet single malt, Royal Salute luxury whisky, Ballantine’s Scotch, Absolut Vodka, Martell Cognac, Jacob’s Creek wines, Mumm & Perrier Jouet Champagnes, Beefeater gin, Kahlua and Malibu rum.
Even before the UN initiatives were in place, Pernod Ricard has had sustainability at its heart. The Group’s founder, Paul Ricard, started the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute over 50 years ago, which even today leads the charge in ocean preservation.
Vanessa Wright, VP Sustainability & Responsibility of Pernod Ricard, reveals how deeply ingrained the care for the environment is in the Group’s core value system.
“We know that our customers have now come to expect our brands to be responsible and respectful of the environment – values that have been at the very heart of our business since its inception. These 2030 commitments provide us with a focused framework across our business in helping to address some of the biggest sustainability issues, so consumers can enjoy our products in a convivial and sustainable way,” Wright said.
Since 2010, the Group and its brands have undertaken many initiatives and been unrelenting towards its 2020 environmental targets. With programs such as the Chivas Venture and the Absolut Elyx’s partnership with Water for People, the Group has demonstrated a united front on environmental issues, with remarkable results.
In the last 8 years, 93% of the production facilities have been certified ISO 14001 and 95% of its vineyards are certified according to environmental standards. In addition, the Group has reduced its water consumption per litre of alcohol by 20%, its carbon emissions by 30% per unit of production and waste by 9,505 tons for a total of 748 tons to landfill.
Last September, during the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit 2018 at the UN Headquarters in New York, Pernod Ricard was the only wine & spirits company to be recognized as a Global Compact LEAD company, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to its Ten Principles and to the UN SDGs.
“We aim to bring Good Times from a Good Place,” says Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard, “by creating genuine moments of sharing and enjoyment for our consumers, whilst at the same time making and selling our products in the right way, recognizing that we are only guests on our planet.”
“Our 18,900 employees are all ‘createurs de convivialité’; we are passionate hosts and respectful guests. Sustainability has been an important part of our past, it is very active in our present and will be a defining factor in shaping our future,” he added.
Building on its past achievements in the area, The Group’s 8 new sustainability and responsibility commitments are built on four key areas – nurturing terroir, valuing people, circular making and responsible hosting. They seek to address material issues facing the Group and the World, such as climate change, human rights and waste. Each pillar includes 2030 goals with measurements to ensure progress is monitored.
In addition to these 8 main commitments, Pernod Ricard has also developed further plans to embed a UN human rights approach across its value chain, address waste water, and move towards fully renewable energy.