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González Byass invests €2.5m in sustainability

Published:  21 November, 2014

Spanish sherrymaker and wine firm González Byass is investing €2.5 million in a new sustainability programme over the next three years.

Spanish sherrymaker and wine firm González Byass is investing €2.5 million in a new sustainability programme over the next three years.

GB 5+5González Byass is investing €2.5m in sustainabilityThe Spanish firm will focus on cutting emissions from tractors and reducing travel, as well as becoming more energy efficient and looking to introduce organic production methods.

The "5+5: Caring for the planet" initiative and accompanying investment will be used to reduce emissions and promote responsible use of natural resources.

The company owns wineries and distilleries across all of Spain's Denominaciones de Origen including Bodegas Beronia, Viñas del Vero, Finca Constancia, Cavas Vilarnau and Finca Moncloa, along with the distilleries in Jerez and La Mancha.

The title for this initiative, "5+5: Caring for the Planet", stands for the five generations of the González family who have brought the company into the 21st century and the coming five generations. It hopes to introduce sustainable practices from vineyard to winery, including suppliers, product design and distribution.

The Spanish firm will focus on cutting emissions from tractors and reducing travel, as well as becoming more energy efficient and looking to introduce organic production methods.

Mauricio González Gordon, chairman of the company and fifth generation family member, said: "This is about our commitment to continued improvement in this area where the five generations that have been involved in the company have been caring for the planet, so that the five generations to come can continue that mission".

The company plans to cut emissions from tractors in the vineyards, use electric vehicles in wineries, and use more video conferencing to reduce travel. It will also plant 10,000 indigenous trees in the next five years.

It also plans to use more energy efficient lighting and air-conditioning, as well as use solar panels to heat water and biomass converters for vineyard waste. It will also implement a series of water saving programmes and enhance its recycling programmes.

On the supply and packaging side, it will lightweight glass and use recycled cardboard and wood. In the vineyard is will also develop more organic production methods.

It will also increase benefits for employees such as flexible working hours and support for further education for employees' children.

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