Volvic Announces Global Carbon Neutrality and B Corp Certification, Also Pledging to Continue Protecting 2 Billion Square Meters of Natural Ecosystems…

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Volvic has always valued the strength we receive from nature. Thats why ahead of World Environment Day, and as part of their ongoing sustainability efforts***, Volvic is sharing their newly awarded B Corp certification for the global brand and global carbon neutrality milestone. As part of their carbon neutral certification, in partnership with the climate solutions company South Pole, Volvic is supporting projects that protect two billion square meters of natural ecosystems in volcanic countries such as Peru, Congo and Uganda****.

At Volvic, we have long understood the value of natures strength and are encouraging all to return the favor, give back to nature and keep it strong, states Rita Pestana, Global VP of Volvic. We have been committed to continuously evolving, making nature and people stronger by ensuring that our source remains protected. We are on a journey to continue to use this business as a force for good and support our communities and the health of people and planet.

Hugh Jones, Managing Director Business Services, the Carbon Trust, adds: We are proud to have certified the Volvic brand as carbon neutral a significant achievement that represents a real commitment to decarbonisation, Nathan Gilbert, Executive Director, B Lab Europe comments: B Lab Europe is proud to welcome Volvic to the community of B Corporations. This achievement is part of an ongoing journey to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. We look forward to working together with Volvic and the community of B Corps to inspire other businesses to join the movement. Now more than ever, it is necessary for all companies and individuals to take action and use business as a force for good.

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NOTE TO EDITORS

ABOUT VOLVIC (WWW.VOLVIC.CO.UK)

Volvic is a unique natural mineral water born in a volcanic natural ecosystem in the Auvergne region of France. 13,500 years ago, a volcanic eruption created an immense natural filter where water flows through six layers of volcanic rock; this creates a one of a kind filtration system that only nature can provide and that is how Volvic comes to life. The water brand has been fighting to preserve these ecosystems for years in an effort to restore balance to allow nature to continue to give us its strength and guarantee the purity of the water. As a part of Danone, Volvic has committed to inspire more sustainable eating and drinking practices and is doing so through several environmentally focused efforts. To learn more about Volvic, please visit their website.

Volvic carbon neutrality certification

Volvic has been certified carbon neutral to the internationally-recognised standard PAS 2060 by the Carbon Trust, a global climate change and sustainability consultancy with almost two decades of experience in the sustainability sector. Achievement of this standard reflects the commitment and measures taken by Volvic to reduce direct carbon emissions arising from its own operations (Scope 1 and 2), indirect emissions from the value chain, and where residual emissions exist Volvic has compensated for these through good quality offsets achieved through its partnership with climate solutions company South Pole.

From now on, Volvic must be recertified every year to maintain its carbon neutral status. This requires the development and implementation of a yearly carbon reduction and management plan. Each year the certification process becomes more challenging as Volvic must begin to rely less on the compensation (the investment in funds which generate carbon credits) and more on a low carbon business model. The carbon emission reduction figures are based on the global life cycle assessment of the product.

*Excluding cap and label

**B Corp Certification:

Volvic is the biggest natural mineral water brand (revenue based) to receive this distinction.

B Lab is a nonprofit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good. B Labs initiatives include B Corp Certification, administration of the B Impact Management programs and software, and advocacy for governance structures like the benefit corporation.

Certified B Corporationsare new kinds of businesses that balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.

Certified B Corporations achieve a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessmenta rigorous assessment of a companys impact on its workers, customers, community, and environmentand make their B Impact Report transparent on bcorporation.net. Certified B Corporations also amend their legal governing documents to require their board of directors to balance profit and purpose. Companies must recertify every three years.

In 2020 Volvic achieved the certification with a score of 81.1., being part of the less than 4% of companies that have engaged with B Impact Assessment online and achieve the score required. The B Corp assessment certifies 5 pillars: Governance, Workers, Community Environment and Customers. B Lab has highlighted the companys leadership in 3 mains areas:

While Volvic scored highest in governance practices and legal mission including societal and environmental impact on stakeholders in the decision making; employee benefits such as pension and healthcare plans; and the environmental policy and management, including rigorous monitoring and target, also identify the following areas of improvement: regular performance reviews for all employees and further engage with our suppliers on social and environmental aspects.

About South Pole

South Pole is a leading project developer and provider of global climate action solutions, with over 300 experts in 18 global offices. South Pole helps companies, capital markets, and the public sector reduce their impact on the climate while mitigating risk and creating value. South Pole is a science-based company and its expertise covers project finance, data collection, and climate risk analysis, as well as the development of environmental commodities, such as carbon and renewable energy credits. South Pole has mobilised climate finance to over 700 projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable land use. For more information, visit http://www.southpole.com or follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

***CEPIV: protecting the natural environment and biodiversity since 2006

Socit des Eaux de Volvic is strongly committed to preserving the natural heritage, including the 38-km2 area where Volvic natural mineral water originates.

The Volvic impluvium is located in the unique geographical site of Chane des Puys / Limagne fault, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2018.

Protecting and preserving the natural mineral water resource is at the heart of Volvics DNA. Co-created by Socit des Eaux de Volvic in 2006, the Environmental Committee for the Protection of the Volvic Impluvium (CEPIV) is a public-private partnership with the 4 local communities of the catchment area. Its mission is to implement actions with all territory stakeholders that reconcile local development and the protection of the catchment area and its biodiversity.

The mission of CEPIV focuses on three areas:

*****2 billion square meters equaling to 53 times the Volvic impluvium size which itself is 38km2

***** Calculation based on ADEME and actual Danone routes.

Volvic is part of the #WeActForWater movement.

Through #WeActForWater Danone Waters brands are:

WeActForWater falls within Danones recently announced 2 billion investment acceleration plan, investing between 2020-2022 to further transform their agriculture, energy and operations, packaging and digital capabilities.

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Volvic Announces Global Carbon Neutrality and B Corp Certification, Also Pledging to Continue Protecting 2 Billion Square Meters of Natural Ecosystems...