Bombay Sapphire Distillery recognised for sustainability

Bombay Sapphire Distillery has earned renewed silver certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) for its continued work to protect and restore wetland and river habitats, promote biodiversity, and support conservation education.

Located on the River Test, the distillery became the first UK spirits production site to achieve WHC silver certification in 2023.

Rodolfo Nervi, vice president of corporate sustainability, global safety and quality at Bacardi, said: "The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Distillery has been carefully cultivated with sustainability in mind. Being a Grade II listed historic site as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, conservation and restoration have always been central to the distillery and its surrounding landscape.

Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Image: Bombay Sapphire Distillery)

"Consideration for the environment runs throughout our practices at BOMBAY SAPPHIRE; from the partners we choose, including becoming the Official Gin partner of the E1 Series - the world's first all-electric raceboat championship, to the team's dedication to sustainable practices in the production of our gin.

"We are incredibly proud to retain the WHC Silver Certification, having become the first UK spirits production facility to receive the recognition in 2023. We look forward to continuing our work to support the local environment and deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for the landscapes and waterways around us."

WHC Certification continues to be the world’s only voluntary sustainability standard for businesses enhancing biodiversity and supporting conservation education on their sites.

At the Bombay Sapphire site, sustainability measures include wildflower planting to support pollinators and the installation of fish and eel passes to improve river connectivity and native species migration.

The distillery also participates in the Anglers’ Riverfly Monitoring Initiative, working alongside volunteers from the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme to monitor invertebrate populations as part of long-term river health tracking.

Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Image: Bombay Sapphire Distillery)

The building itself, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, is rated 'Outstanding' by sustainability assessment body BREEAM.

More than 99 per cent of waste at the site is either recycled or converted into energy.

Margaret O’Gorman, chief executive officer of Tandem Global, said: "BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Distillery is recognised as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Certification. Companies achieving WHC Certification, like Bacardi, are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them."

The distillery joins a growing list of Bacardi facilities worldwide that have received similar environmental certifications, including sites in Puerto Rico and Jacksonville, Florida.

These achievements form part of Bacardi’s wider commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship across its global operations.