The Group has partnered with locally-based Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI) to support research on the impact of climate change on water quantity and quality Suntory Group announced the…

The Group has partnered with locally-based Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI) to support research on the impact of climate change on water quantity and quality

Suntory Group announced the launch of a new water replenishment initiative in the Brisbane River catchment, Queensland, Australia, to restore local waterways and support future generations’ access to water. Building on the 2025 launch of Suntory Mizuiku education program for nature and water in Australia, the Group is deepening its long-term commitment to water stewardship and sustainability in the region. In addition, the Group has partnered with locally-based Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI) to support research on the impact of climate change on water quantity and quality.

“Suntory Group recognises that water is a local resource, and we are committed to being a positive force in promoting healthy water cycles in the regions in which we operate,” stated Jun Asaki, Chief Sustainability Officer of Suntory Holdings. “By working closely with local partners and communities, we will develop tailored, science-based approaches that address the specific water challenges of this region and promote water stewardship and sustainability for generations to come.”

Why Brisbane: Local Water Challenges
With growing demographic and environmental pressures, global water scarcity is expected to intensify, and it is predicted that approximately 5 billion people worldwide will face severe water shortages by 2050. 

The Brisbane region in Australia is no exception. It has been facing multiple water-related challenges, including drought and water scarcity, which have prompted the city government to implement its Total Water Cycle Management Plan to transform Brisbane into a water-smart city. Suntory Oceania’s Swanbank Beverage Facility is located in proximity to this key regional water source, making the Group’s commitment to the long-term health and resilience of the local watershed both a responsibility and a strategic priority.

On‑the‑Ground Water Replenishment Initiatives with Local Communities
Starting from May 2026, Suntory Group will launch water replenishment initiatives in the Brisbane River Catchment with the goal of replenishing more water than the Swanbank Beverage Facility uses annually. It aims to help reduce water consumption and support healthier local water systems through practical, on-the-ground projects with local communities, including restoring waterways, riparian planting, optimising irrigation and crop rotations. 

This initiative builds on more than two decades of water stewardship efforts by Suntory Group, which launched its Natural Water Sanctuary Initiative in Japan in 2003 and has achieved water positivity there since 2019 — replenishing more than twice the groundwater withdrawn through science-based activities developed with the Institute for Water Science, alongside experts and local communities. Water source initiatives have since expanded to seven other countries, with Australia being the eighth. The Group will apply its existing expertise in the Brisbane River Catchment, with the aim of reinforcing its long-term commitment to giving back the water used at the Swanbank Beverage Facility.