Pernod Ricard targets SDGs and regenerative agriculture as part of 2030 goals

Beverage giant Pernod Ricard has today (3 April) launched a new sustainability roadmap aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that commits to ambitious new targets relating to regenerative agriculture and biodiversity, recyclable packaging and a science-based carbon target.


Pernod Ricard targets SDGs and regenerative agriculture as part of 2030 goals

The Good Times from a Good Place strategy has various goals to be achieved by 2025 and 2030

Pernod Ricard’s new 2030 “Good Times from a Good Place” strategy forms part of the group’s Transform and Accelerate strategic plan and sets out eight targets that support the SDGs.

The company has notably committed to reducing the overall intensity of its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, as part of the Science-Based Targets (SBTs) initiative – originally committed in September 2018. The company is also targeting improved water use in high-risk watersheds, such as India and Australia, and will replenish 100% of the water used in its production sites.

Pernod Ricard’s vice president of sustainability and responsibility Vanessa Wright said: “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.”

The strategy builds on the progress delivered against Pernod Ricard’s 2020 environment targets. Over an eight-year period, 93% of the firm’s production facilities have been certified to ISO 14001 standards and 95% of vineyards have also achieved relevant certification. Water consumption per litre of alcohol has been reduced by 20% while carbon emissions have fallen by 30% per unit of production. As for waste, the amount sent to landfill has fallen from 10,253 tonnes to 748 tonnes.

Nurturing terroir

Under a “nurturing terroir” pillar, Pernod Ricard is targeting that all of the group’s global affiliates – which include Chivas Brothers, Malibu and Absolut Vodka – will have strategic biodiversity projects.

By 2025, the group will also develop regenerative agriculture pilot projects within its own vineyards in eight wine regions – Argentina, California, Cognac, Champagne, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and China – to improve the quality of topsoil, watersheds and ecosystems. By 2030, Pernod Ricard will partner with more than 5,000 farmers to expand the learnings of these projects.

Pernod Ricard, a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy, is also targeting improved packaging recyclability. By 2025, Pernod Ricard will ban all promotional items made from single-use plastic and 100% of its packaging will be recyclable, compostable, reusable or bio-based. By 2030, five new closed-loop methods of distributing its wine and spirits will be introduced to increase recycling rates in the firm’s 10 largest markets that have low recycling rates.

Under the “valuing people” and “responsible hosting” pillars of the strategy, the group has pledged to train 10,000 bartenders globally on more sustainable practices, including anti-waste and plastic-free measures. Goals are also in place to ensure to fight alcohol misuse and ensuring that one million young adults are reached to explain the importance of responsible drinking consumption.

Integral SDGs

Pernod Ricard has also developed plans to embed a UN Human Rights approach across its value chain and move towards fully renewable electricity.

The French-based firm is the only wine and spirits company recognised by as a Global Compact “LEAD company” for its commitments to the Ten Principles and to the 17 UN SDGs.

In a previous edie interview, Pernod Ricard’s vice president for sustainability and responsibility Sandrine Ricard noted that the SDGs are set to become “truly embedded” in the firm’s operations on a local level, across its global supply chain and in its offices. Each brand would have a different material impact on each goal, based on the size of its operations and where its manufacturing facilities were located. 

To mark the launch of the new strategy, edie has published an in-depth podcast interview with Pernod Ricard’s Vanessa Wright. The 45-minute episode sees Wright discuss the new strategy in more detail, offer her views on the SDGs and relay information on other areas of CSR relevance.

You can listen to the podcast below or click on this link to download the episode.


Pernod Ricard at edie Live

Pernod Ricard’s vice president of sustainability and responsibility Vanessa Wright will be appearing on the keynote theatre at edie Live next month (21-22 May 2019). ‘SDG Day’ on the Sustainability Keynote stage kicks off with an all-star cast of eminent business leaders and sustainable development experts who will together highlight what successful, responsible and purposeful business looks like through the lens of the UN Global Goals.

The two-day show – edie’s biggest event of the year – has become a highlight of the calendar for sustainability, energy and environment professionals looking for new ideas and solutions that will help them achieve a low-carbon, resource efficient and profitable future for their business.

Register for your free edie Live 2019 pass here.


Matt Mace

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