Drinks giant Bacardi, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, has announced that its iconic premium rum brand will cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half from 2023.

The Bermudian-based company said Bacardi rum’s GHG emissions will be reduced by 50 per cent when a combined heat & power system goes live next year at the brand’s distillery in Puerto Rico.

The new CHP system will replace heavy fuel oil with propane gas, a much cleaner and more efficient energy solution, the company said.

“As a brand and as a company, we are committed to doing the right thing for the planet,” said Ned Duggan, senior vice-president, Bacardi rum.

“Our rums are made in Puerto Rico, a beautiful island in the Caribbean where we are continuously investing in new innovations that will ensure we do just that.

“This year, we are celebrating our 160th anniversary and while we reflect on our incredible history we are also looking forward to a more sustainable future.”

The 50 per cent reduction represents a 14 per cent cut in the total emissions globally for family-owned Bacardi, which the company says is a significant step towards the 50 per cent cut it is committed to achieving globally by 2025.

“We are committed to cutting our GHG emissions by reducing our energy consumption and switching to the most sustainable form of energy in the countries where we operate,” added Rodolfo Nervi, VP global safety, quality & sustainability for Bacardi.

“While propane gas is the most responsible energy source in Puerto Rico right now, we are continuing to explore ways in which we can reduce our use of carbon-based fuels even further and take more positive steps towards our ultimate goal of Net Zero.”