New York, 19 April 2023 - Just ahead of Earth Day, Eurasia Group and Suntory Holdings are proud to announce the launch of the third year of the Sustainability Leaders Council (SLC), an initiative created in 2021 with a mission to drive sustainability efforts in the private sector and help foster more resilient societies, with an emphasis on the Asia region. Each year, the SLC has put a spotlight on a vital topic, with sustainable plastics and biodiversity serving as the first two focal points; this year's work will highlight the broader themes and challenges of "nature positive," with a particular focus on water.
To kick off the exciting year ahead, the first of four roundtables will be held on 26 April, with the aim of spurring progress on the climate-biodiversity-water nexus. The discussion will explore how to holistically integrate all environmental issues into one unified strategy, looking at the potential risks if approaches are not aligned and how nature-related tipping points, policies and environmental, social, and governance trends will affect corporations. Additional roundtables throughout 2023 will examine solutions to tackle water stress and biodiversity loss, the evolution of water emergency policies, and the growing problem of greenwashing in business advocacy.
New this year is a dedicated website where more information about the SLC's work can be found. Building on the key takeaways from the roundtable series, a live digital event will kick off a campaign culminating in the early 2024 publication of a comprehensive and ambitious report on nature strategies for business. Members of the public will be able to view this livestream event via the website later this year, as well as read previous SLC publications, such as the Addressing Nature Loss in Asia report produced during year two.
"Over the past two years, we've focused on establishing an initiative that not only brings together some of the brightest minds in the field but also drives the agenda in terms of corporate sustainability practices in Asia," said Suntory CEO Tak Niinami. "Now it's time to expand into even more ambitious programming as we grow the council's footprint--and continue to prove that business can be a force for good in the natural world."
"We kicked off the SLC two years ago with an ambitious goal--to create a more sustainable world with more resilient societies," said Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. "It's going to be a long fight, but as we enter year three, we're proud of what the council has accomplished so far and we know we're just getting started."
Working groups on biodiversity and plastic pollution are another addition to the council this year. Made up of experts and SLC members engaged on these topics, the groups will meet throughout the year and their work will help inform and advance the council's overarching mission of illuminating Asia as a leading force for lasting, impactful change within the climate and sustainability spheres.
For more information, please contact media@eurasiagroup.net.
About Eurasia Group
Eurasia Group is the world's leading global political risk company. Its expertise includes developed and developing countries in every region of the world, specific economic sectors, and the business and investment playing fields of the future. With best-in-class advisory and consulting offerings, in addition to GZERO Media, the Eurasia Group umbrella provides the marketplace with a complete political risk solution. "Politics first" grounds the firm's work: It is the lens through which Eurasia Group views the world, shaping analysis that is free of political bias and the influence of private interests.
About Suntory Holdings
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, from premium spirits, beer, wine, and ready-to-drink alcohol beverages to brewed teas, bottled water, still and carbonated soft drinks, and ready-to-drink coffee and energy drinks, along with health and wellness products. Suntory is home to award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu, as well as iconic American spirits Jim Beam and Maker's Mark. Suntory also fascinates the taste buds with The Premium Malt's beer, and owns the exceptional Japanese wine, Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection includes Sauza Tequila, non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Ribena, BOSS coffee, Iyemon green tea, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, V and BRAND'S, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.
Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of $20.2 billion in 2022. Its 40,885 employees worldwide draw upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.
As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, Suntory Group will always protect the ecosystems that deliver water, because they are the wellspring--not only of the group's business and the rich experiences it creates for people's lives--but also of human life itself. Suntory Group will continue to be a company where everyone is empowered with the freedom and flexibility to innovate. Through all of its corporate pursuits, Suntory seeks to inspire the brilliance of life.