Suntory Global Spirits (which recently rebranded from Beam Suntory) has partnered with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland, the second partnership between the two organisations since 2022. 

 

Under the current partnership, Suntory Global Spirits and the RSPB Scotland have restored 80 hectares of peatland at the Oa reserve on Islay. The work falls under Suntory Global Spirits’ Peatland Water Sanctuary programme. The drinks company has also contributed £250,000 to revive the peatlands’ natural ecosystem.

 

The work follows Suntory Global Spirits’ March announcement of its partnership with Northern Peat & Moss to restore the peatland on Craigculter Moss.

 

Alistair Longwell, head of distillation & environment, Suntory Global Spirits commented: “The restoration at the Oa is not only integral to sustaining its resilience to climate change, but also in promoting a protected nature reserve on our special island of Islay, home to our Laphroaig and Bowmore distilleries and a thriving local community.”

 

Jack Fleming, RSPB Scotland area manager for Argyll, Arran and Ardnamurchan, added: “We’re thrilled to have taken this latest step in our partnership with Suntory Global Spirits. As well as trapping carbon, healthy peatlands provide homes for iconic wildlife such as curlews and hen harriers. They are among the most effective tools we have for tackling the nature and climate crisis, so to have restored 80 hectares at the Oa, on top of the previous work at Airds Moss, is an achievement well worth raising a glass to.”