Suntory Partners with Axios House for Climate Week NYC

Suntory Partners with Axios House for Climate Week NYC

We were honored to join the Axios House again this year for Climate Week in New York City to highlight our leadership in resource conservation as part of our Proof Positive efforts. 

Our Chief Environmental Sustainability Officer and Head of Enterprise Risk Management, Kim Marotta, was interviewed during the event, “The Business Case for Resource Conservation,” by Axios publisher Nicholas Johnston. Other distinguished speakers included leaders from the World Resources Institute, Delta Air Lines and McLaren Racing.

During the session, Kim emphasized the importance of our water conservation initiatives across Suntory and our brands, including the strategic placement of our distilleries near natural water sanctuaries. She highlighted some of our achievements in this area, most notably that we halved our water usage and reached our 2030 goal five years ahead of schedule, saving nearly 5 billion liters of water annually. 

Kim also shared how we value “coopetition,” or collaborating across our peers, to accelerate progress toward shared sustainability goals, like with our corn growers in Kentucky, and how Maker’s Mark is advancing its Regenerative Alliance that launched this year. 

As part of our onsite activation, we showcased our purpose and values and how we strive to work in harmony with nature. We also highlighted our commitment to protecting our Natural Water Sanctuary near the Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm distillery through pollinators and activities to enhance biodiversity. Guests got the chance to taste honey from Star Hill Farm, with tastings led by Maker’s Mark Heritage Manager, Tommy Quimby. Adding to the experience, Dr. Blake Layfield, Master Distiller at Maker’s Mark, offered guided tastings of Star Hill Farm Whisky, sharing the new brand’s connection to regenerative agriculture.  

Watch the segment to learn more about how we are protecting our natural resources for future generations.