Sustainability and Awareness Report 2019
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Sustainability and Awareness Report 2019 ACTING RESPONSIBLY IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD Contents LETTER BY THE CHAIRMAN 3 METHODOLOGY NOTE 5 OUR KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 7 ABOUT US: OUR IDENTITY AND HISTORY 8 Group profile 9 The history of Branca International: from craft herbal liqueurs 11 for medicinal purposes to industry leader Our values, from our motto “Novare Serbando” (Innovation within Tradition) 16 to the principles of the Economy of Awareness Our brands 17 International competitions and awards 22 Governance 23 Lawfulness, transparency, ethics and integrity 26 The principle of collaborative meritocracy and 26 human resources management AWARENESS-BASED BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 27 Our stakeholders 30 Sustainability and materiality analysis 32 Branca and the 2030 Agenda: the UN sustainable development goals 35 CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC VALUE 38 Group financial highlights 41 Direct economic value generated and distributed 42 BRANCA PRODUCT EXCELLENCE 44 Our value chain 45 Responsible management of the supply chain 46 Quality and safety of raw materials and products 53 Consumer protection and promoting responsible consumption 56 Customer Relations & Satisfaction 58 OUR PEOPLE: EMPLOYEE PROFILE, WELL-BEING, HEALTH & SAFETY 62 Employee profile 63 Diversity and inclusion in the work environment 68 Industrial relations 70 Remuneration 70 Development and training of our human capital 71 Occupational health & safety 73 Employee well-being 76 THE ENVIRONMENT: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AND IMPACT MITIGATION 78 Energy consumption 80 Air emissions 84 Circular economy and recycling 87 BRANCA, CULTURE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES 94 Key cultural initiatives 95 Recent events 99 APPENDIX 101 GRI CONTENT INDEX 103 Letter by the Chairman We started working on this new Sustainability and Awareness Report just several weeks before Italy, and the entire world, were overwhelmed by the Covid-19 emergency, leading to a deep and widespread crisis that has affected not only the health and social sphere, but has also had - and will continue to have - a clear effect on the economy. And our values as well. As in all times of great crisis, the situation we are facing will usher in momentous change: many already speak of a "new normal", a reality to be reckoned with and to which we will have to adapt. I am deeply convinced, and I have said so many times in the past, that much of what the future holds in store for us depends on the behaviour of each and every one of us: it is, in fact, rather utopian to think that science, politics, economics or religion alone will allow us to face this new reality: it will be equally fundamental to seek a balance within ourselves and with the world around us. I am increasingly convinced that we need a re-evolution of consciousness and a re-discovery of self-awareness: the affirmation of a principle of social ethics that can make us feel interconnected and responsible for each other will allow us to transform the crisis into an opportunity for growth and progress. In this process, the challenges of sustainability are clearly becoming ever more complex, having to harmonize the challenges of the past with the weaknesses emerging in recent months. But I am certain - and the most recent researches and studies comfort me in this - that in the coming years, also thanks to the drive of the younger generations, there will be an increasing focus on this concept, understood in the broadest possible terms: sustainability not just with regard to energy and the environment, but social sustainability above all. Our behaviour must comprehensively aim at and comply with the concept of sustainability as a re-appropriation of balance in all walks of life. Which is why I have decided to call this new 2019 report a "Sustainability and Awareness Report", having always been convinced that Awareness is a key word, particularly at this juncture in history, which extends the concept of sustainability to embrace consciousness, self-awareness and interdependence. For a long time now I have been dedicating myself to and talking about the principles of the Economy of Awareness, which have enabled us to successfully lead the company through five generations, with the sixth already in the company, even at the most difficult of times. Over the years, in fact, grounded on these principles, we have invested in a Code of Ethics and in occupational health and safety, prepared environmental reports, chosen to continue to work in Italy and, while constantly innovating, strived to keep alive the values and traditions of the past, always guaranteeing a high quality product, according to the motto of our founder "Novare Serbando", which translates as "Innovating within Tradition". In 2020, we celebrate the 175th anniversary of Fratelli Branca Distillerie and it is there to be seen how much the company has grown since 1845. From my ancestor Bernardino's small workshop in Milan we have burgeoned into a Group with a global vocation, Branca International, which nevertheless maintains strong ties with Italy and the city of Milan. In 2019 we inaugurated a new venture in New York, in the United States, fanning out to include real estate, finance and research alongside our core business, the production and marketing of fine spirits of the highest quality. 3 During this evolution, however, we have never abandoned the sense of balance that has allowed us to combine economic efficiency, environmental protection and consideration of the social impact of our activities, always committing ourselves to the achievement of long-term benefits for the communities in which we operate. Since taking over the helm of the Group, I have always likened the company to a living organism interrelated with other living organisms. My desire being not so much to build a successful business but a company of value, in which people are seen as an end, not a means, and well-being and happiness are tied with the entire system in which we live, viewing ethics as important as profit to realize a generative value, because a financially healthy company can then nourish the fabric within which it operates. Our company has always focused on care, which is not just about being good but aiming at synergy: attention to others and the environment, in fact, springs from the soundness of and trust in our deepest nature. People, in particular, have always been at the heart of our thinking and of the Group management; creating relationships based on listening, dialogue and transparency with our human resources, customers, suppliers and all our stakeholders is an essential requirement for ensuring a serene working environment and promoting the success of our organisation. This is why, in recent years, we have multiplied our corporate welfare initiatives, introduced new reporting systems for our partners and developed further projects that promote the concept of responsible consumption and, in general, support healthy lifestyles. Thanks to our certified Environmental Management System, we have also been able to verify the continuous improvement of the data on energy consumption, atmospheric emissions, the efficient use of water resources and the management of waste and effluents. We are striving, as best we can, to adopt the most innovative packaging and disposal solutions, also through collaboration with recognised partners in the sector. We are aware of the challenges ahead of us and ready to tackle them with enthusiasm, confiding in the conviction that the right balance of intelligence, passion and grit can turn this new crisis around into a great opportunity and direct it towards the achievement of the common good. Niccolò Branca President and CEO of Branca International 4 Methodology note The 2019 Sustainability and supply chain. Awareness Report of Branca The 2019 Sustainability and International Group Awareness Report has been (hereinafter also referred to as prepared in accordance with "Branca" or the "Group") is a the "GRI Sustainability tool for effectively Reporting Standards" defined communicating the activities, in 2016 (and updated in 2018) commitments, performance by the Global Reporting and results achieved by the Initiative (GRI), according to Group, as part of our ongoing the "In accordance - Core" commitment to sustainability, option, and is in line with the comprehensively understood following reporting principles, in its social, environmental as established by the and economic aspects. standard, for the definition of Unlike the previous editions of the content and quality of the this report, the scope of the report: reporting, and of the data and information contained herein, includes all the major Group companies: Fratelli Branca Distillerie S.r.l., Fratelli Branca Destilerías S.A., Branca USA Inc., Branca Real Estate S.r.l. and Centro Studi Fratelli Branca S.r.l.. On the other hand, the direct majority and • STAKEHOLDER INCLUSIVENESS minority shareholdings have not been examined in detail, • SUSTAINABILITY CONTEXT although they are nevertheless mentioned in • MATERIALITY the sections on Group • COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY composition. Any exceptions to the scope of reporting or • BALANCE specific in-depth analyses are stated in the individual • CLARITY sections. Among the new elements of • COMPARABILITY the 2019 Financial Statements • RELIABILITY is the entry into the Group of Branca USA Inc., which • TIMELINESS started operating that same year, for which reason only the data relating to 2019 have been analysed. There were, however, no significant changes in the organisation, ownership structure and 5 The information set out in this social, environmental and METHODOLOGY NOTE report, for the 1 January 2019 - economic reporting areas of 31 December 2019 reporting the various Branca period, reflects the principle of International Group materiality or relevance, as companies. The entire final required by the GRI Standards. document was approved by The analysis of materiality and the Chairman. For this the Group-relevant issues are reporting period, the described in the section on Company has opted not to "Business-aware have the report audited by an Management - Sustainability external company.