The program will explore ways of increasing carbon capture in agave fields by introducing additional plants, which absorb carbon during the day, between rows of agave, which absorb carbon at night to avoid water loss.
If successful, this method is expected to neutralize 50% of Casa Sauza’s emissions by 2026, and 100% by 2030.
The initiative, which is being run in partnership with environmental services company Red BioTerra, marks an ‘exciting step’ towards more sustainable sourcing, says Beam Suntory.
The Casa Sauza tequila brand has one of the industry’s lowest water usage rates, claims the company, adding it is working toward further reducing water, energy and waste at its facilities through continuous production improvements and new technologies (such as switching from fuel oil to natural gas).
Casa Sauza is also part of the Charco Bendito Project, through which it supports the restoration and protection of a sub-basin of the Lerma–Santiago River and promotes reforestation, soil conservation and recharging the aquifer.
Results from the pilot program, which is supported by parent company Suntory Holdings’ Growing for Good initiative, are anticipated by the end of its first year of study, with the potential to extend for an additional seven years.