Chivas Brothers to protect Scotland’s rivers

Pernod Ricard’s Scotch whisky arm, Chivas Brothers, has teamed up with local environmental charities to protect and restore Scotland’s waterways.

Announced today (22 March), which is also World Water Day, the long-term programme is named the River Within and sees the Scotch producer partner with The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust; Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust, and the Spey Catchment Initiative.

Through Chivas Brothers’ financial support, the group will be able to carry out conservation work to improve the water condition in their combined catchment areas in north-east of Scotland – totalling 5,566 square kilometres.

Scotland’s rivers, which flow through Chivas Brothers-owned land, are both a vital source of life for the region’s wildlife and a key ingredient in whisky making.

Chivas Brothers said the ecological health of 34% of these rivers is compromised and said there is an ‘urgent need for action to safeguard their future’.

Julie Gallacher, head of sustainability and responsibility at Chivas Brothers, said: “Scotland’s waterways are the lifeblood of whisky production, so while we use this precious resource responsibly, returning 96% of what we use to its source, we like to think there’s a ‘river within’ each bottle.

“Many of our distilleries are built on the banks of treasured Scottish rivers and it’s from these waters that our renowned whiskies are endowed with their unique spirit, essence and even their names.

“Just as we rely on the rivers, the rivers rely on us. The art of whisky making is a delicate balance, so too is the Scottish landscape in which we craft it. That is why we are proud to launch this partnership with the three river trusts to protect and build a resilient network of Scottish rivers and river banks that support biodiversity for generations to come.”

The projects to improve river health will launch later this year and focus directly on activity along riverbanks.

The new measures will help limit the rise of water temperatures from climate change, enhance biodiversity, strengthen floodplain resilience and increase river security.

Commentating on the programme, Richard Miller, director at The Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted to be a partner in ‘The River Within’ programme, which will provide essential resources to ensure Deveron fish stocks have free access to cold, clean water.

“This will be achieved by removing obstacles to fish passage, the creation of 3D buffer strips along field margins, riparian planting, fish refuge creation and habitat restoration. We very much look forward to working with Chivas Brothers on this new and exciting project.”

Atlantic salmon, a species of fish that Scotland is well-known for, was recently reclassified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from ‘least concern’ to ‘endangered’ in Great Britain.

Bob Laughton, director at Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust, said support from Chivas Brothers would ensure “riparian woodland and river restoration schemes that are currently in development are resourced, helping them to be turned into reality and delivered on the ground.”

Chief executive at the Spey Catchment Initiative, Roger Knight, added: “This collaboration marks a significant step towards safeguarding and enhancing the vitality of the Spey catchment’s rivers and waterways, which are not only crucial for our native wildlife but also for the communities that live alongside them and industries that thrive because of them.”

Stewarding Scotland’s rivers is another step towards Chivas Brothers’ sustainable commitments.

Last year, the company pledged £60m (US$76m) to hit net zero.

It manages Scotch brands including Royal Salute Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s and The Glenlivet single malt.

The Spirits Business exclusively spoke with Jean-Etienne Gourgues, chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, on the company’s endeavours to protect the future of whisky.