In the context of COP15, we convened experts, businesses, institutions and thought leaders at The Island, our global flagship in Paris, to explore how companies can work together to regenerate nature and biodiversity.
Through lively, insightful and honest discussion, the event encouraged companies to recognise the power they have to make a real difference and create a ripple effect of change by sparking a new idea, connection or inspiration.
Pernod Ricard Chief Sustainability Officer Vanessa Wright opened the event and introduced Bruno David (President of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle) who set the scene and gave important context on biodiversity loss, its causes and the timeframe we are working to in order to halt irreversible damage to nature.
The first panel discussion then focused on why companies must help to protect nature and biodiversity, with insights from Francesco Bellino (Managing Director and Partner, BCG), Dr Radhika Murti (Director of IUCN’s Centre for Society and Governance) and Lynne Millar (Director of sourcing, Kahlúa and Malibu). Lynne talked about the origins of Kahlúa’s ‘Coffee for Good’ programme and its success in achieving full traceability of its Arabica coffee supply chain, with nearly 500 farmers supported to secure a long-term future in coffee farming so far.
The second panel discussion focused on how companies can contribute to regenerating nature, with action-oriented advice and case studies from Léa Lugassy PhD (Head Scientist, Pour une Agriculture du Vivant), Yoann Regent (Head of Sustainable Sourcing & Nature Initiatives, Kering) and Pierre Helwi sustainable viticulture approach, where the team not only contribute to vine nutrition and health, but also all elements of the surrounding environment and landscape biodiversity. Head of Sustainable viticulture, Martell). Pierre talked about the impact of Maison Martell’s sustainable viticulture approach, where the team not only contribute to vine nutrition and health, but also all elements of the surrounding environment and landscape biodiversity.
Our ambition is to rollout our event series Good Spirits globally to explore different areas of sustainable and responsible business, bringing people together to collaborate and drive change.
Pernod Ricard’s commitment to nature and biodiversity
We have a longstanding commitment to preserving nature and biodiversity. Our founder Paul Ricard was an early philanthropist and created the Oceanographic Institute in 1966 in response to marine pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. This legacy lives on today with our 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap ‘Good Times from a Good Place’.
We produce and source 120 ingredients from 70 countries and rely on well-functioning ecosystems to produce our iconic brands. That’s why we are committed to nurturing every terroir and its biodiversity and responding to climate change by developing sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices. Find out more here: Nurturing Terroir | Pernod Ricard (pernod-ricard.com)