Champagne Innovators
Champagne Houses Piper-Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck & Rare Champagne, part of the family-owned EPI Group, put sustainability and purpose at the fore of their guiding principles. Each has honed that focus in recent years, and those efforts have been recognized. Last year, the three achieved B Corp certification status with the score of 91.9 points, verified by B Lab, a nonprofit network. Through this certification, these iconic Champagne Houses are strengthening their commitments to both social and environmental issues.
“We are honored to be the first producers in Champagne to achieve Certified B Corporation status and are fully committed to B Lab's vision of working towards an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system,” says Damien Lafaurie, President & CEO of the Wine and Champagne division of EPI Group.
Important sustainability initiatives from Piper Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck and Rare Champagne are in motion. Bold projects include the reduction of 60% of carbon emissions from business activities (scope 1 & 2) by 2030, with the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Piper Heidsieck has used the lightest bottle available since 2010, and achieved 100% renewable electricity in 2021. All three Houses have committed to lowering energy use by 40% by eliminating fossil fuels in production activities by 2025, when they will also require all winegrower partners to be certified Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne. Additionally, they are moving toward sourcing all packaging and POS materials in Europe and moving away from value-added packs in non-sustainable materials.
In the vineyards, the Champagne Houses are experimenting with new methods including the use of cover crops, organic farming and agroforestry. They have committed to farming free from herbicides, pesticides and chemicals. Among social initiatives, they are endorsing gender equity and parity and engaging with diverse individuals in both employees and collaborators. Each House also has ongoing philanthropic endeavors that positively impact their broader community.
The work is ongoing and evolving. The B Corp certification represents just a first milestone in the reinvention of the iconic Champagne Houses’ operations towards a purpose-driven business model.
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