Lion was the proud recipient of the inaugural Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative Award at the 2024 Australian Drinks Awards, hosted at the Hilton Sydney on Thursday, July 18.
Lion's win came just ahead of Australian Vintage, which received a Highly Commended acknowledgement on the evening.
The Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative Award is an updated version of the previous Corporate Social Responsibility Award, which Lion also won in 2023.
The revamped award, co-created with the Drinks Association’s new Sustainability Council, recognises organisations that lead in environmental sustainability by reducing their environmental impact and enhancing the community in which the business operates. It commends initiatives that promote environmental responsibility, including climate action, sustainable packaging, circular economy practices, waste reduction, water stewardship, biodiversity and land use management, and clean energy production.
Lion’s winning submission detailed the company’s achievement in reaching 100% renewable electricity procurement for all Australian operations in 2023, and exceeding its near-term Science-Based Target for carbon reduction seven years ahead of schedule.
In its closing comments, Lion’s submission read: “At a higher level, and representing a first for the brewing industry, achieving 100% renewable electricity procurement is a clear example of delivering our strategic ambition of brave and enduring environmental leadership.”
“Furthermore, demonstrating a commercially viable initiative to achieve material carbon reduction is critical in challenging market conditions and when the urgency to act on climate change has never been greater.”
Endeavour Group's Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Dan Holland, presented the award on the evening and said Endeavour Group was proud to sponsor the Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative Award. He also mentioned that the judging panel received a number of high-calibre submissions that were received for the category.
Holland said: “The overall award goes to a company that really stood out to the judging panel for their leadership in decarbonisation and their work towards a net zero supply chain.”
“The winner of this award is Lion. In 2023, they achieved their goal of procuring 100% renewable electricity and this was seven years ahead of their stated target. Lion has employed a range of strategies to meet their target early and we congratulate them for that.”
Justin Merrell, Lion's Group Sustainability Director, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Following the win, Merrell said: “It is fantastic to win this award and a testament to the many teams at Lion who have contributed to the work. We are very proud of the progress we are making in sustainability and it remains a huge focus for all at Lion. We know there is more to be done and are wholly committed to continuing to innovate and achieve within the space.”
It was a big night for Lion, winning six awards across all three categories. Alongside its Supplier Award for Supply Chain Management, Lion received two of the three Contribution to Industry Awards: Best Environmental Sustainability and Best Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative. Lion also took home two Fan Favourite Brand Awards for Craft Beer with Stone & Wood Pacific Ale and Non-Alcoholic Beer with Heineken 0.0, as well as a Gaining in Popularity Brand Award for Tooheys New in the Classic Beer category.
Australian Vintage achieves B Corp Certification
Australian Vintage received the Highly Commended recognition for achieving B Corp Certification of its domestic operations and global brands in February 2024.
The submission read: “Embedding Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) practices is fundamental to the future resilience and prosperity of the Australian wine industry. B Corp Certification is the gold standard of sustainability, Australian Vintage pursued certification to demonstrate that our business meets the highest standards of ESG and showcase positive impact at scale.”
“Australian Vintage hopes to set an example of how companies of scale can make a positive impact. We’re obviously a large business, and if we can achieve this level of social and environmental performance, then that should demonstrate to others
in the wine and grape sector that it is achievable.”
Accepting the award on the night was Australian Vintage General Manager – Asia Pacific, Jeff Howlett.
Following the event, he said: “We are delighted to receive the recognition for our B Corp Certification and efforts in ESG. This certification took collaboration across the entire Australian Vintage team and reflects the sustainable, inclusive and industry leading practices that are at the heart of the organisation. We are committed to continued improvement as part of the B Corp community and our public commitments. We’re in business to make good wine that is truly good.”
Edwina Bartholomew was MC at the 12th annual Australian Drinks Awards, where 48 awards were distributed to recognise achievement and excellence in the drinks industry, including three Contribution to Industry Awards: Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, Best Wellbeing Initiative, and Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative.
The Drinks Association congratulates its Category One members, Lion, for winning the 2024 Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative Award, and Australian Vintage, for its Highly Commended recognition.
The Drinks Association would like to extend its thanks to its generous sponsors for this year’s event.
All the winners from the 2024 Australian Drinks Awards are available here:
