Peru. Backus committed to sustainable development

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Backus, business leader in Peru’s beer industry, issued the results of its Strategy for Sustainable Development 2009-2010 based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators, as well as its action plan for 2011 with regard to the 10 priorities for sustainable development. Felipe Cantuarias Salaverry, vice president of planning and corporate issues for Backus, said, “Sustainable development is one of the backbones of this firm, and we work on projects and initiatives in all areas of the business hand in hand with strategic allies so that this focus is the one we use on an overall level.”
Backus is committed to sustainable development not because “it’s what we should do,” but because it makes sense for increasing the value of the business. Felipe Cantuarias stated that “a close link exists between our capacity to grow as a business and the well-being and prosperity of the communities in which we operate.”
On another note, indicators of international studies were presented, demonstrating that a sustainable development focus boosts the reputation and credibility of a business, attracts talented personnel and, moreover, allows the company to generate economic results through increased sales, which are the basis for generating social and environmental results.
Attending the presentation were Baltazar Caravedo, president of SASE Consultants, and Henri Le Bienvenu, general manager of Peru 2021, who have actively participated in the creation and validation of Backus’ sustainability report. This is the first report from the alcoholic beverages division with a “Grade A” level from the Global Reporting Initiative in Peru.*
During 2011, Backus, a part of the SABMiller group, will continue to implement strategies that encourage responsible alcohol consumption, work on projects for handling the environment (such as reforestation in Pucallpa), and develop treatment plants for residual water in Arequipa and for the handling of residual solids and recycling, the company said. It also continues its “Progressing Together” programme, designed to develop the capacity of businesspeople working in the small and medium-sized companies linked to Backus’ valuable chain of firms.