Our Goals
Foster's does not pretend to have all the answers in this vital but complex field. We acknowledge that better managing water is a long-term effort, which requires collaboration and continuous improvement. We are genuine in our commitment to these, and to exceeding best practice water management wherever possible.
Our Actions
Our Health, Safety & Environment Policy requires us to seek continuous improvements in our management of water. The following is a selection of practical examples of how we are doing this:
Australian breweries
As part of our participation in the Australian Greenhouse Challenge program, Carlton and United Beverages (now Foster's) has run a water conservation program since 1998.
As a result, water efficiency across the brewing business in Australia has improved 2.5% year on year, for the last six years.
As part of the upgrade of the Yatala Brewery in South East Queensland we have installed an innovative water reclamation plant that has reduced the ratio of hectolitres of water used per hectolitre of beer produced to 2.2, down from 4.3 two years ago. Global best practice is between four and five hectolitres of water per hectolitre of beer.
Viticulture, wineries and wine production - Australia and US
The continuation of a long and successful partnership between with the Australian Conservation Foundation and Southcorp Wines (now Foster's) has resulted in research to better understand the impacts of viticulture on biodiversity and water quality. In parallel with this activity, the 'Foster's Footprint' project commenced in 2003 and is developing a set of parameters that define best environmental practice in viticulture. This will give us the ability to identify and continuously improve our performance.
Our Californian vineyards participate in that State's Sustainable Winegrowing Practices programs. Those in the Napa Valley are being certified under the "Fish Friendly Farming Scheme" to protect local waterways, and our Sonoma County vineyards are certified under the Green Business Program. Our viticultural business overall is a participant and lead organisation in the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program.
A dedicated Australian Production / Viticulture Wastewater Working Group is exploring scope for further improvements in water use, including sustainable re-use of winery waste water in company vineyards.
Our wineries are also actively involved in water conservation, examples include:
Water programs in our community
Our Foster's in the Community program supports our focus on water in a number of ways:
Further information can be obtained from the following links:
Foster's Water Facts - Australian Wine
Wine Water Usage Facts - March 2007
Foster's Water Sustainability Platform (PDF, 83 Kb)
