Water is a vital resource that supports human life and livelihoods, and the foundation of Suntory Group's business activities. While water is a renewable resource that will never disappear from Earth, only about 0.01% of the planet's water is freshwater accessible to humans.
On the other hand, global issues concerning water resources have arisen due to factors such as population growth, economic development in developing countries, and climate change. It is predicted that by 2050, approximately 5 billion people worldwide will face severe water shortages.* This worldwide water scarcity is intertwined with numerous issues, as water is used not only for drinking and domestic purposes but also extensively in food production.
At the top of Suntory Group’s Environmental Principles is “achieving water security.” We are advancing various initiatives to contribution to the healthy circulation of water in nature, with a view that encompasses the entire value chain.

• *World Meteorological Organization (WMO) “The State of Climate Services 2021”

For more information on Suntory’s Environmental Principles, Environmental Vision toward 2050, and Environmental Targets toward 2030, see Environmental Management.

Global Sustainability Committee

At Suntory Group, we have established a system to promote environmental management centered around the Global Sustainability Committee (GSC). Under the supervision of the Chief Sustainability Officer, GSC formulates strategies related to the 7 key themes of sustainability, which include water, climate action, raw ingredients, containers and packaging, health, human rights, and lifestyle culture. GSC also oversees the progress of these strategies and analyzes the business risks and growth opportunities, reporting to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

For more information on the Global Sustainability Committee, see Environmental Management.

Suntory Group Sustainable Water Philosophy

As a globally-operating company that depends on and benefits from the water and as a company that operates globally, Suntory Group must earnestly address worldwide challenges and contribute to building a sustainable society.
Based on Suntory Group’s Environmental Principles, we have established the Suntory Group “Sustainable Water Philosophy” to guide our efforts in addressing water challenges in various regions around the world. Based on this philosophy, we develop and promote initiatives that are tailored to the water resources conditions in each area where we do operate.

Water Stewardship

Water is a local resource. Precipitation, a major factor in determining water volumes, varies greatly depending on geographical conditions, seasons, and weather conditions in different regions. Moreover, since rain that hits the ground flows differently based on differences in elevation, the situation regarding water varies by each watershed determined by these dividing lines.
Even in areas with sufficient rainfall, effective use of water resources can become difficult if there is significant seasonal variability in flow, if climate change causes substantial changes in flow, or if facilities for sanitation treatment and storage are inadequate. Therefore, water issues need to be examined according to each watershed.
Suntory Group strongly recognizes the importance of water stewardship and is committed to responsibly safeguarding natural capital, which is a regional asset, in the watersheds of each factory and in the areas of our value chain, promoting integrated water resources management together with the community.

Environmental Vision toward 2050

As a unique multifaceted beverages company supported by the blessings of nature such as water and agricultural products, Suntory Group has been dedicated to realizing a sustainable society where people and nature resonate harmoniously since its founding. In 1997, we established Suntory Group’s Environmental Principles, and in 2014, formulated Environmental Vision toward 2050 with a focus on water sustainability and climate action measures.

Regarding water sustainability, we have created the following vision toward 2050.

• Reduce the amount of water used in our plants around the world by 50%*
• Conservation of water resources and ecosystems to replenish more water than is withdrawn from our own plants around the world
• Realize sustainable water use at primary raw material farms.
• Share the Sustainable Water Philosophy broadly in communities of the main countries where we operate

• *Reduction water intensity based on the business fields in 2015

Targets and Progress toward 2030

• *1
  Reduction of water intensity of production based on 2015 baseline year
• *2
  Suntory Group plants that manufacture finished products: 24 plants in Japan, 45 plants overseas
• *3
  Coffee, barley, grapes

Integrated Water Resource Stewardship based on Our Sustainable Water Philosophy

Suntory Group created the Sustainable Water Philosophy to contribute to a healthy water cycle in the watersheds according to 4 pillars—understanding the natural cycle of water, promoting environmentally conscious water use, conserving watersheds, and engaging with the local community. Under this, we are advancing initiatives for healthy water cycles across the entire value chain.

Water Management and Conservation

Owned Plants

The second pillar of our Sustainable Water Philosophy is promoting environmentally conscious water use. Based on rigorous water risk assessments, Suntory Group tailors water use initiatives such as water conservation activities and wastewater management to the specific plants we directly operate.

Trends in Water Withdrawal and Water Intensity of Production (Whole Group)

• *Per unit production is the amount of usage per kiloliter produced

Water Withdrawal

Since water withdrawal increases with the production volume (the amount of water shipped as products), Suntory Group aims to reduce water intensity in line with production growth. We also strive to reduce water withdrawal through water conservation and recycling activities.
Particularly in areas with high water stress, we assess the actual water challenges and evaluate the necessity of reducing total water usage, and control the amount of water withdrawal accordingly.

Consumption

In Suntory Group's plants, water is used not only as an ingredient but also for cleaning and cooling manufacturing equipment. To conserve limited water resources, we implement the "3Rs of Water": reducing consumption (Reduce), using water repeatedly (Reuse), and treating it for repeated usage (Recycle). These efforts support our goal to “reduce water consumption at our owned plants worldwide by 35%”*

• *Reduction water intensity based on the business fields in 2015

Wastewater

We aim to control wastewater volume by reducing the unit of water withdrawal, and strive to decrease wastewater through advancements through water conservation and recycling activities. With regard to wastewater quality, Suntory Group established voluntary standards that are equally or stricter than the legal requirements and thoroughly manages quality so that wastewater is returned to nature in a state as close to natural as possible. Wastewater from our factories is first purified using anaerobic waste water treatment plants* and other equipment before it is released into sewerage systems or rivers. To maintain these standards, we conduct continuous monitoring with measuring devices and daily water quality inspections by personnel.

• *A treatment method that decomposes pollutants using microbes (anaerobic bacteria)

Upstream Value Chain

Suntory Group uses collaboration with suppliers to improve water-use efficiency in the production of water-intensive key raw ingredients (i.e., coffee beans, barley and grapes) in highly water stressed areas.

Also, we are promoting regenerative agriculture initiatives, focusing on key raw ingredients. Regenerative agriculture is attracting attention for its potential to mitigate and adapt to climate change by reducing GHG emissions through reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as restoration of soil biodiversity which boosts soil fertility and effective water use.

For more information, see Sustainable Procurement.

Replenishment and Preservation of Water Resources

The third principle in our Sustainable Water Philosophy is conserving watersheds. Suntory Group works with local authorities and communities, not only at its owned plants and business premises, but also across the entire watershed where plants are located, investing in conservation and restoration tailored to the specific circumstances of each region in which we operate globally.
In 2203, Suntory Group launched the Natural Water Sanctuary Initiative aimed at enhancing water source recharge capabilities and preserving biodiversity. The initiative has now expanded to over 12,000 hectares in 26 locations in 16 prefectures across Japan, and is replenishing twice the volume of groundwater extracted by our owned plants in Japan. As we advance these efforts, we collaborate with leading researchers from various fields to ensure that our activities are scientifically grounded and sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond.

For more information, see Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary.

Suntory Group practices coexistence with nature in all regions where we conduct business worldwide. We will continue to engage in various initiatives as we strive to be a global leader in water sustainability.

For details, see Water Initiatives Around the World.

Community Engagement

The fourth pillar of our Sustainable Water Philosophy is engaging with the local community.
Suntory Group works with stakeholders including local government, NGOs, educational institutions, and the local community based on the annual water risk assessments conducted at each production site to address water issues in the local watershed.

System Supporting Community Engagement

For more information, see Identifying and Resolving Watershed Issues, and Community Engagement.

Awareness-Raising Activities

Suntory Group believes that it is our important responsibility to pass on a vibrant global environment to the next generation. We have set targets to implement programs that raise awareness of water issues and provide safe water to over 5 million people by 2030.

Participation in Initiatives

Suntory Group participates in various international water initiatives in order to promote the conservation of water resources. In addition to signing The CEO Water Mandate of the UN Global Compact, we have entered into a partnership agreement with the international water certification organization Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) and are playing a leadership role in raising awareness about water management and building networks in Japan.

Collaboration with AWS

In 2018, Suntory Group’s Suntory Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant (Tottori Prefecture) became the first in Japan to receive AWS International Certification, followed by the Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant (Kumamoto Prefecture) in 2019 and the Suntory Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant (Yamanashi Prefecture) in 2021. The Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant obtained the highest “Platinum” certification in 2023, followed by the Suntory Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant and Suntory Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant in 2025. Additionally, we are accelerating our collaboration with AWS, including the signing of a partnership agreement with the AWS International Secretariat. In 2025, we launched a working group called Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group (JWS) together with 4 other Japanese member companies*.

• *MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited, and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.

Achieving the AWS Certification by Suntory

2018	Suntory Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant achieved AWS Certification (first in Japan)
2019	Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant achieved the AWS Certification
2021	Signed partnership agreement with AWS Asia Pacific (first in Japan) Member of the AWS supporting companies (first in Japan) Suntory Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant achieved the AWS Certification
2023	Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant achieved the AWS “Platinum” Certification (first in Japan) Signed a collaboration agreement with AWS International Secretariat
2025	Start of Japan Water Stewardship Leadership Group Suntory Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant achieved the AWS "Platinum" Certification Suntory Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant achieved the AWS "Platinum" Certification

For more information on AWS, see Achieving the AWS Certification for Water Stewardship.

Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum

Suntory Group joined the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)^*1 Forum in April 2022 to accelerate initiatives that contribute to nature-positive outcomes. We also registered as a TNFD Adopter^*2 in December 2023.

• *1Abbreviation for Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
• *2Organizations (report preparers) who intend to start making disclosures aligned with the TNFD Recommendations in their corporate reporting.

For more information, see Disclosures Based on TNFD & TCFD Recommendations.