[:en]Bombay Sapphire wants to become sustainable 100% by 2025[:]

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BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, the iconic premium gin of the Bacardi Group, after decades dedicated to building long-term sustainable partnerships and collaborations with farmers and suppliers, announces the near milestone of sustainability certification by 2021 for all 10 of its botanicals. In fact, eight of its suppliers are already certified according to the standard For Life, awarded internationally by Ecocert. While for the two remaining producers - who supply grains of paradise (belonging to the cardamom family) from Ghana and liquorice from China - the aim is to certify them in the months following the removal of travel restrictions.

This news represents a key first step for Bacardi Group, the world's largest family-owned spirits company, which has an ambition by 2025 to source 100% of its key ingredients from sustainably certified suppliers. 

The 10 botanicals, which include juniper berries from Tuscany, coriander from Morocco, lemon peel from Spain and grains of paradise from Ghana, are hand-selected by Ivano Tonutti, Master of Botany of the Group, to create the fresh and inimitable taste of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE.

Ivano selects only ingredients with high quality standards, but his work doesn't end there. Ecocert, the world's leading specialist in the certification of sustainable practices, through certification For Life recognizes Ivano and the Bacardi Group's commitment to working only with suppliers who act responsibly ensuring a sustainable future for farmers, their communities and the environment.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE has always been a pioneer of sustainability, one of the first brands in the alcohol sector to invest in new innovations with creative solutions that were put into play in 2014 when the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE distillery opened in Laverstoke (UK). This represents a true standard of sustainability especially thanks to its design which has been evaluated 'Outstanding' by BREEAM, the most accredited environmental certification for buildings.

“We have a 360° approach to sustainability,” he says Ivano Tonutti. “It is our responsibility to care for farmers and their communities as much as the botanicals they grow and harvest for BOMBAY SAPPHIRE. By caring for their well-being and investing in sustainable agricultural practices, we are helping to protect the environment and future generations of these communities.” 

A practical example of this attention to sustainability is the village in Ghana where, for several years, the Bacardi Group worked with AIESEC - a local non-governmental organization, with the aim of helping the community establish itself as an independent agricultural cooperative. A process that starts from the installation of the water pump, which now supplies the village with fresh water, up to the recruitment of an agronomist, useful for providing advice and guidelines. This year the village will harvest its first crop of grains of paradise for BOMBAY SAPPHIRE demonstrating the success of this project. 

“The certification For Life it gives consumers the peace of mind of knowing that the ingredients come from organizations committed to continuously improving themselves in the name of sustainability,” he says Philippe Thomazo, CEO of Ecocert. “For Life it means that the suppliers who grow and harvest the plants for BOMBAY SAPPHIRE act responsibly in every respect”. 

Natasha Curtin, VP of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, declares: “I am incredibly proud of this latest achievement from Ivano and his team, as a company it is our duty to invest in a more sustainable future. Ivano has spent over 20 years building close relationships with our farmers and suppliers around the world. With her experience and expertise, we have created a blueprint for sustainable sourcing of botanicals that we hope will inspire other brands to do the same.”

The Bacardi Group has worked closely with its suppliers to help them obtain certification For Life. To be certified, suppliers must commit to continuously improving in the following areas:

• well-being of people involved in the harvesting and supply of botanical products;
• reducing the environmental impact of cultivation and harvesting practices;
• responsible purchasing practices; 
• sustainable development at local level and at key stages of the supply chain.

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