Not-for-profit organisation the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking rounds up the latest ESG-related efforts from its brand-owner members. Here’s what they were up to in August.
Environmental
In Czech, Asahi’s Radegast brewery became the first in Central Europe to brew beer with water extracted from humidity in the air, using technology developed by a university in Prague. Radegast is intensifying its promotion of water-retention issues to draw attention to the loss of water in nature.
In the US, Bacardi is piloting an ecoSPIRITS closed-loop packaging system on cruise ships to test whether the reusable containers can be used to serve Bacardi rum at sea. Running on three ships, the project will replace around 9,400 glass bottles with its partner’s ecoTOTE container system.
In Japan, Suntory’s long-running bird conservation project opened applications for JPY40m [US$270,720] in grants for conservation groups and birdwatchers. Suntory’s bird conservation initiatives began in 1973 and its ‘Suntory Fund for Bird Conservation’ charitable trust was registered in 1990; to date, the fund has granted JPY660m to 494 organisations. Suntory has also become the first Japanese company to join the ‘VIVE’ sustainable supply programme, as the next step in its 2011 sustainable supply chain policy, contributing to sustainable sugarcane procurement.
In Brazil, The Coca-Cola Co unveiled its ‘Green Catalytic’ fund, which will support decarbonisation solutions across Latin America. The group marked the announcement with an initial US$500,000 investment for the fund to finance partnerships with different organisations across the region. Meanwhile, in Europe, Coca-Cola joined global leaders in Sweden at an event marking ‘World Water Week’ to discuss solutions to the most pressing water issues.
Back to Japan, and Kirin has developed a recyclable direct PET bottle printing technology that removes the need for physical labels and adhesives. The technology prints detailed elements such as barcodes and ingredients directly onto bottles, as part of Kirin’s commitment to improving the sustainability of PET packaging.
Pernod Ricard‘s Winemakers division published its latest ‘A Year in Focus’ report about its environment and sustainability efforts between 2021 and 2022, covering an extension of its regenerative agriculture trials. The report also describes progress towards Pernod Ricard’s ‘Good Times from a Good Place’ sustainability and responsibility roadmap for 2030. Meanwhile in Nigeria, Pernod Ricard partnered with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation to plant 3,000 trees nationwide.
Diageo published its Annual Report for 2023, detailing the progress of its ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ ESG targets. The report includes case studies on a range of recent initiatives, such as the ‘Smashed’ global education programme for young people as well as online moderation activations. Diageo also progressed packaging sustainability initiatives for cardboard, aluminium and glass, and tested an inclusive approach for its ‘WASH’ community water management initiative in Africa, to increase women’s representation and decision-making powers within local communities.
Social
Anheuser-Busch InBev has been developing new products, concepts and tech-led solutions to prevent harmful drinking at its Ambev Smart Drinking Lab in Brazil. The laboratory, which has been up and running since 2021, is piloting a clinically-tested cereal bar that can potentially slow alcohol absorption and is testing an AI app that can detect alcohol consumption through a user’s voice and offer moderate drinking tips. It also provides technical expertise and innovations for existing initiatives, such as creating a digital version of an evidence-based AB InBev Foundation screening and brief interventions tool. Over in Nigeria, AB InBev’s International Breweries unit held a ‘Smart Drinking Roundtable Session’ to explore strategies to promote responsible drinking and reduce harms. Federal Ministry of Health representatives welcomed the division’s efforts to promote “responsible alcohol consumption through evidence-based initiatives.”
Carlsberg has been raising awareness of its commitment to achieve ‘zero irresponsible consumption’ of alcohol in Italy through a promotion around its new alcohol-free Angelo Poretti beer. The activation is part of the brewer’s global ‘Together Towards ZERO and Beyond’ strategy, aimed at consumers and extended to its workforce. Carlsberg Italia, for example, has installed alcohol interlocks in its entire fleet of company cars.
In Vietnam, Heineken is running a three-part ‘Drink Responsibly’ campaign as part of its wider sustainable development strategy, ‘For a better Vietnam’. Heineken’s campaign includes drink-driving prevention programmes, alongside educational and fitness campaigns.
In Australia, Drinkwise is partnering with major hospitality and chain retailer Endeavour Group on a campaign ahead of the Australian Football League (AFL) finals. The ‘Always Respect, Always DrinkWise’ activity will run through Endeavour’s BWS and Dan Murphy’s chains throughout September, reaching an estimated 2.5m customers.
Governance
Brown-Forman released its debut ‘Community Impact Report’, describing the company’s commitments to being a “good neighbour” to the communities around its operational premises, including investments to enrich essential living standards, arts and cultural experiences, as well as sustainable living.
In Europe, Diageo launched a digital ‘Consumer Information Platform’, which is accessed via a QR code, on its leading brands. Consumers can view ingredients and nutrition information in 22 different languages, dependent on their location, with recycling and sustainability information provided where required by local legislation.
In the US and Canada, Molson Coors Beverage Co is reviving its ‘Protect Our Protectors’ programme, which has run for nine years and makes donations to support firefighters. This year, Molson Coors is committing $250m to the Wildland Firefighters Foundation, in recognition of the increased prevalence of wildfires across the continent.
Finally, in the UK, William Grant & Sons organised a ‘Race & Ethnicity Celebration Week’ that encouraged colleagues at workplaces around the world to share elements of their cultures through fashion, food and music as part of the company’s efforts to foster an inclusive culture.
Head here for more details on the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking.
