Family-owned Bacardi Limited is celebrating its 161st anniversary by planting one tree for every employee to support biodiversity, help local communities, and capture a combined 2.5M kg of CO2 during the trees’ lifetime.
The initiative forms part of Bacardi’s Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) program, that seeks to restore communities, revitalize natural ecosystems, and revolutionize the way the brand does business.
“As a family-owned company, doing the right thing is in our DNA, and all of us at Bacardi share that passion for taking care of the environment,” said Bacardi Limited CEO Mahesh Madhavan.
“By creating our very own Bacardi forests, we can all take pride in having our own positive impact and being part of our company’s legacy for the next 161 years and beyond.”
The trees will be planted in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Ecuador, and Madagascar, with 11 different species carefully selected to maximize the benefits to each location and community. The planting sites represent areas where Bacardi sources some of the botanicals and raw ingredients.
“We care deeply about the farmers who grow our beautiful ingredients and take great pride in the strong relationships we’ve spent decades building with these communities,” says Dave Ingram, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Bacardi Limited. “Planting these trees on their doorsteps is another way of giving back as we invest in their future and in protecting the environment for generations to come.”
Additionally, the brand will also plant 161 coconut trees in Puerto Rico, where Bacardí rum is produced. These plantings will pay homage to the company’s legendary coconut palm, ‘El Coco’, which was planted in front of the first BACARDÍ distillery in Cuba, to symbolize the strength and resilience of the Bacardi company.
In Bermuda, home of the Bacardi Limited global headquarters, the company will plant 100 cedar saplings to supports biodiversity by providing a crucial nesting site for birds such as the native Bluebird.
On February 4, 2023, Bacardi celebrates 161 years since Don Facundo Bacardí Massó founded the company in Santiago de Cuba. Family owned, over seven generations, Bacardi grew from a single rum brand to a portfolio of iconic global spirits brands.
To find out more about Bacardi and its ESG commitments, go to bacardilimited.com