The Harpers Sustainability Charter is aimed at UK-based* drinks-related trades and sectors**, championing those that are demonstrably advancing sustainable best practices across their businesses, and thus helping advance the wider trade in meeting globally pressing sustainability goals.

The goal of this Charter is to build a network of sustainably minded businesses and be a reference for companies looking to work with sustainable partners. As such, the Harpers Sustainability Charter forms part of a dedicated Harpers campaign to help drive sustainability across all facets of the UK drinks trade, by sharing, supporting and promoting best practice.

Signatories to the Harpers Sustainability Charter will be required to show that they are moving along an increasingly sustainable trajectory towards annual goals, by confirming actions taken to meet specific targets embraced by those companies.

In its launch year, signatories will be asked to confirm actions taken to date that demonstrate a sustainable trajectory. Considering the multifaceted nature of sustainability – encompassing environmental, social and economic elements – the Harpers Sustainability Charter is designed to allow signatories to chart their progress along various pathways towards greater sustainability (see below), in line with the resources, current focus and ability of a given business. By tracking progress across various key areas of sustainable advancement, the Sustainability Charter initiative will showcase the commitment of signatories (both individually and collectively) to deliver a sustainable future for the UK drinks trade.

This will be backed by regular coverage via Harpers Wine & Spirit, including our dedicated Sustainability Reports, webinars and round tables, helping to promote the visibility and communication of the sustainable credentials of Charter signatories to other partners in business across the supply chain, to the benefit of all.

MEASURING PROGRESS
The progress of companies making a commitment to the Charter will be plotted against clear goals and targets set by those organisations, including adherence to external codes and/or accreditation bodies. Reporting of progress must be clear, accurate and trustworthy, with the ability to substantiate such claims with credible evidence.

Evidence, when required, must also be submitted to the Harpers Sustainability Charter initiative.
 
Progress will be collated and published on an annual basis, but with more frequent occasional updates throughout the year, as companies progress towards their sustainable goals or meet a target along a given
sustainable pathway. Such sustainable gains will be discounted if a company is found to be increasing its unsustainable impact elsewhere, either within its own operations/business or with regard to the impact of business partners, suppliers and customers.
 
Overall, signatories to the Harpers Sustainability Charter will be committed to progressing sustainable best practices and sharing their progress with transparency for the benefit of all.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER OUR PARTNERS AND SIGNATORIES:
↘ Highlight to the wider trade that yours is an independently accredited
and genuine sustainable business
↘ Highlight that the UK drinks trade is a responsible and sustainable sector
to government, plus national and regional press
↘ Showcase your stories of success and your journey as a sustainability
champion
↘ Bring the UK trade together to learn and share best practice when it
comes to sustainability


* Businesses with a UK HQ or dedicated UK office
** Businesses that are involved in the production, distribution and sale/retail of drinks