Pernod Ricard reports on water management and environmental progress

Pernod Ricard has reported on its global initiatives for sustainable water resource management on World Water Day, highlighting progress in water quality and availability across its operations. These actions are part of the company's environmental roadmap for 2010-2020.

Water is a fundamental ingredient in Pernod Ricard's products, used in every stage from vineyard irrigation to distillation. The company joined the UN's CEO Water Mandate in 2010, committing to reduce water consumption and ensure responsible water sourcing. Between 2010 and 2017, Pernod Ricard reduced water consumption by 17% per liter of alcohol produced, with a target of a 20% reduction by 2020. Its Midleton distillery in Ireland achieved a 35% reduction through increased distillation capacity.

Each of Pernod Ricard's 99 production sites has undergone an audit to identify risks to local watersheds, leading to tailored action plans. Pernod Ricard India has constructed 340,000 square feet of rainwater reservoirs in arid Rajasthan to support local villages and agriculture. In Australia and New Zealand, Pernod Ricard Winemakers employs precision drip irrigation for sustainable grape growing.

The company stated that 18% of its disposed wastewater was returned to the environment and 8% was recycled for vineyard irrigation after treatment in 2016-2017. Advanced wastewater treatment technologies, such as membrane bioreactors used at Irish Distillers, are employed at its distilleries.

Pernod Ricard also outlined progress in other environmental areas, including the implementation of environmental management systems, promotion of sustainable agriculture, biodiversity preservation, development of sustainable products, and reduction of carbon emissions and waste. The company aims for all production sites and vineyards to be certified under environmental management systems by 2020.