Global wine and spirits company Bacardi announced today that its BACARDI rum brand will reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% from 2023.
The emissions reduction will be achieved with the launch by Bacardi of a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system next year at its Puerto Rican distillery, replacing heavy fuel oil with propane gas, a cleaner energy solution. The company stated that the reduction represents a 14% cut in the total emissions globally for family-owned Bacardi, a significant step towards the 50% reduction the company is aiming to achieve globally by 2025.
Ned Duggan, Senior Vice President, BACARDÍ rum, said:
“As a brand and as a company, we are committed to doing the right thing for the planet. Our rums are made in Puerto Rico, a beautiful island in the Caribbean where we are continuously investing in new innovations that will ensure we do just that. This year, we are celebrating our 160th anniversary and while we reflect on our incredible history we are also looking forward to a more sustainable future.”
In 2020, Bacardi introduced a 100% biodegradable bottle, a major step towards achieving its commitment to be 100% plastic-free by 2030, and stated that the first spirit to appear in the new bottle will be the BACARDI rum. The company has also set a number of 2025 targets as part of its “Good Spirited” Corporate Responsibility program, including 25% cut in water consumption at production sites, and 100% of its product packaging to be recyclable, among others.
Rodolfo Nervi, VP Global Safety, Quality & Sustainability for Bacardi, said:
“We are committed to cutting our GHG emissions by reducing our energy consumption and switching to the most sustainable form of energy in the countries where we operate. While propane gas is the most responsible energy source in Puerto Rico right now, we are continuing to explore ways in which we can reduce our use of carbon-based fuels even further and take more positive steps towards our ultimate goal of Net Zero.”
