Bacardi is working with global nonprofit Bonsucro to foster sustainability in the sugarcane sector as part of its effort to make good on its promise of obtaining 40 percent of the sugarcane-derived products used to make its rums from certified, sustainable sources by 2017 and 100 percent by 2022.
Bacardi says this means acquiring all raw materials and packaging from sustainably sourced, renewable or recycled materials, while maintaining or enhancing the economic status of growers and suppliers.
The nonprofit, Bonsucro, has developed a metric-based sustainability standard and certification process for the sugarcane industry. The organization, which Bacardi helped found, helps to improve economic, environmental and social conditions in the regions around the world where sugarcane is produced.
Farmers, millers and end-users of sugarcane must meet rigorous requirements to be verified as sustainable by Bonsucro. After they become members, they work collaboratively to increase sustainability in the supply chain.
Bacardi already helps sugarcane growers in Fiji to develop model, sustainable farms. The program is a joint partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to educate farmers about increasing crop yields while also reducing water runoff and other older practices that are hazardous to the Great Sea Reef.
On the environmental front, Bacardi has reduced nonrenewable energy use by 27.7 percent supported by a 28.5 percent decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from production since 2006. These activities are part of the Bacardi Limited "Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future" initiative that sets specific goals by 2022 for sourcing, packaging and operations across the entire Bacardi brands to help the company reach its goal of a zero-net impact.
Bacardi says it is committed to using eco-design to craft sustainability into its brand packaging and point-of-sale materials. By 2017, the company plans to reduce the weight of its packaging by 10 percent and achieve 15 percent by 2022.
The spirits company also continues to focus on reducing water use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a 2017 goal to cut water use by 55 percent and GHG emissions by 50 percent. In addition, Bacardi aims to eliminate landfill waste at all of its production sites by 2022. The company already has achieved a nearly 50 percent drop in water usage and roughly 33 percent reductions in both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions since 2006.
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Founder, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Aug 12, 2014 12pm EDT / 9am PDT / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST