Lion has become a Certified B Corporation, marking a significant step in the company’s sustainability journey and reflecting the progress Lion has made with their ‘Force for Good’ strategy.
A framework for accountability
For a company with close to 4,000 employees and a portfolio spanning beer, wine and spirits, B Corp certification is quite an undertaking. Companies must score above 80 on the B Impact Assessment to achieve certification. Lion scored 80.6, well above the 50.9 median score for ordinary businesses.
Through the certification process, Lion also amended its constitution so that directors are legally required to consider other stakeholders – employees, suppliers, customers, communities and the environment – in decision making.
For group CEO Sam Fischer, the process reinforced a long-standing philosophy. “Being a force for good has always been part of Lion’s DNA, but B Corp Certification has given us a framework to go even further. For almost two centuries, we’ve believed in making a strong contribution to our communities and managing Lion for the long-term, and this certification supports that commitment for the years to come.”
‘Force for Good’ in practice
The B Corp certification builds on a strategy Lion has been formalising and reporting against in recent years: its ‘Force for Good’ agenda. The approach spans environment, community and people, with a focus on measurable outcomes.
In its 2024 sustainability report, Lion highlighted a 63.4 per cent reduction in direct and indirect emissions since 2019, powered by its move to nearly 100 per cent renewable electricity across its operations. At Tooheys brewery in Sydney, a new $7.2 million water recovery plant is set to save the equivalent of 108 Olympic swimming pools of water every year, underscoring the company’s efforts to lead on resource efficiency.
Packaging innovation is another area where progress is evident. Through partnerships with Visy, Novelis and Rio Tinto, Lion introduced cans made with 83 per cent recycled aluminium and 59 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Beyond environmental goals
Lion’s ‘Force for Good’ strategy extends into social impact as well. In New Zealand, its Healthy Hospo program is supporting thousands of hospitality workers through wellbeing workshops and community events, while its Alcohol&Me platform has engaged more than 760,000 people with tools for making informed drinking choices. Employee wellbeing has also been a focus, with initiatives such as Healthy Minds, a program designed to support resilience and mental health across the workforce.
The company has also stepped up its reconciliation work, launching an industry network group to encourage collaboration and progress on First Nations engagement.
Setting a precedent
B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand CEO Andrew Davies noted that Lion’s certification demonstrates how larger, more complex businesses can adopt the same level of scrutiny and accountability as smaller B Corps. “When a large business like Lion uses B Corp Certification to measure and improve its impact, it sends a powerful message to the broader business community that it is possible to prioritise people and planet, alongside profit,” he said.
For Lion, the certification doesn’t signal the end of a journey but the start of a new phase. As a B Corp, it will be required to recertify every three years, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability against its force for good strategy.
Lion is a Category One Member of the Drinks Association.