It’s part of its Next Steps Iniiative, which Johnnie Walker describes as its “most ambitious Sustainable drive to date.”
Included in the programme is a series of environmental commitments which, by 2030, will ensure:
- 100% of Johnnie Walker whisky production is net-zero carbon.
- 100% of Johnnie Walker distilleries harness renewable energy.
- All packaging will be recyclable, reusable or compostable.
- Investment in projects to restore peatland and plant and protect trees in Scotland.
- A reinvention of the drinking experience to be more sustainable, and engagement with people around the world on the importance of ‘sustainable socialising’.
“Johnnie Walker is built on a legacy of making positive, progressive choices – our own ‘Keep Walking’ mantra is shaped by that thinking. When we look at the world around us, it’s clear that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet and its resources. We can either see what’s happening and choose to do nothing or we can keep walking, taking every step we can to reduce our impact. We believe there is only one choice to make,” said Julie Bramham, Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director.
Johnnie Walker is also committing to:
- Reduce its environmental impact by increasing the recycled content in all its packaging material: including a minimum of 60% recycled glass in its core range bottles by 2025, which the brand predicts will use 13,000 fewer tonnes of carbon every year**; 100% of the plastic used in its packaging will also be made from recycled content.
- Make its glass bottles up to 25% lighter.
- Ensure all packaging material, including secondary packaging such as gift boxes, will be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2030. The brand predicts that all of its actions to reduce its packaging will reduce its carbon footprint by 15%*** – equivalent to 4,200 return flights from Edinburgh to Sydney.
- Ensure that by 2030, the production of Johnnie Walker will use 20% less water. This annual saving could be equivalent to 76 Olympic sized swimming pools. ****
- Work with customers and suppliers to continue to find and implement more sustainable alternatives for promotional materials and bar ware – with a focus on recyclability or reusability.
- Continue to lead the way in terms of ‘green tourism’ with the goal of having all of its Scotch whisky visitor experiences Green Tourism Gold certified.
- Working with and supporting farmers and grain suppliers to help them implement regenerative farm practices and become verified against the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform’s widely-recognised Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA).
- Support local initiatives to help preserve our natural landscapes. In Chile, the brand has partnered with Tu Mejor Huella, to protect and restore 5,000 square meters of Torres del Paine National Park, one of Patagonia’s most iconic landscapes.