At Suntory, we believe in doing more than just offering products; we recognize it is our responsibility to make a positive impact on those around us, and to give back to nature and society.
We acknowledge that our high level of craftsmanship is only possible through the gifts of nature, particularly water, and so we are committed to efforts that keep water pure and abundant for future generations and create harmony within our communities through the humanities. This is the legacy of our founder, Shinjiro Torii, who believed that success is only real when it is shared. We owe ours to nature, to our customers, our employees, and our communities. Giving back is our way of saying thank you.
In order to protect valuable water resources, Suntory Group is dedicated to water sustainability. We achieve this by cultivating water resource areas around our plants, identified as “Natural Water Sanctuaries.” We are expanding these efforts globally and accelerating activities in multiple regions, with the target for 2050 of becoming “water positive”.
The Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary Initiative began in 2003, and today it recharges more than double the amount of groundwater used at Suntory’s own plants in Japan. This means we gradually allow water to seep back into nature, helping create rich soil and develop forests. The soil retains rainwater, which then permeates the ground as quality groundwater.
Outside Japan, our environmental conservation efforts include the Maker’s Mark Water Sanctuary Project, activities at the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest on Jim Beam Distillery grounds, as well as conservation at the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage, a nature park located next to the Meyzieu Plant of Suntory Beverage & Food France. We are also expanding our water source recharging activities in Southeast Asia.