How this firm is blending sustainability in India’s alcohol industry

Corporate responsibility has a new face in India’s alcohol beverage industry. In an era where corporate responsibility is more than just a buzzword, Pernod Ricard India is setting a new benchmark in sustainable business practices within the alcohol beverage industry.
The company’s innovative approach, dubbed ‘Grain to Glass’, is transforming how businesses can contribute to environmental and social development.
At the heart of their strategy is a comprehensive 5R approach: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Respect. Since 2019, the company has made significant strides in water conservation, creating over 2,300 water recharge structures that generate 4.8 billion liters of water potential.
“By FY30, we aim to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 54%, FLAG (Forest, Land, and Agriculture) Scope 3 emissions by 30.3%, and non-FLAG emissions by 25%, with a 90% reduction in these emissions by FY50.,” says Gagandeep Sethi, Sr VP of Integrated Operations, Sustainability & Responsibility. The company has already achieved a remarkable 94% reduction in direct carbon emissions by shifting to biomass at its distillery.
“To achieve these goals, we’ve installed rooftop solar power plants, complied with RE100 through solar energy, and aim for 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025, including lighter bottles, higher recycled glass content, FSC-certified paper, and 30% PCR content in rPET,” said Sethi.
Packaging is another critical focus area. Currently, 40% of their glass comes from post-consumer recycled material, and 82% of their cardboard is FSC-certified. By eliminating permanent mono-cartons, they’ve reduced CO₂ emissions by 7,000 tons and waste by 18,000 tons.
But Pernod Ricard India’s commitment extends beyond environmental initiatives. The company has integrated government programs to support community development, reaching 1,600 villages across 22 states. Their “Rural Women Beyond 4 Walls” program ensures 50% female representation in Water User Committees, positively impacting 18,078 individuals.
The company has empowered 31,546 women economically, supported 125,000 women in healthcare and education, and trained 200 differently-abled women annually. Their ‘Pinki’ program supports over 100,000 children, demonstrating a holistic approach to social responsibility.
Technological innovation plays a crucial role in their sustainability journey. Using IoT and AI-driven analytics, they track environmental performance in real-time, optimising resource consumption and ensuring a more eco-friendly supply chain.
By 2025, Pernod Ricard India aims to advance regenerative farming in eight wine regions and achieve 100% recyclable or compostable packaging. Their ambitious targets reflect a commitment to not just creating “Good Times” but doing so from “A Good Place”.