Deloitte's initiative has distinguished performance of entrepreneurs and companies for over 30 years.

This Thursday, September 23, the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program (WASP) was distinguished at the IRGAwards, a Deloitte initiative that rewards the performance of entrepreneurs and companies for more than three decades and which, this year, made its debut a new “Sustainability Initiative Award” category, which was awarded to the sustainable initiative of the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission (CVRA).

“We were very proud to receive the distinction of a program that places the Alentejo region as a pioneer in the implementation of sustainable agriculture policies and measures that meet the goals set for building a better future”, stresses Francisco Mateus, president of CVRA, recalling that "PSVA was created in 2015 and already has 448 associate members, representing more than 42% of the Alentejo vineyard area."

The award was intended to recognize initiatives that, according to Deloitte "have had a significant impact on improving the conditions of corporate governance or the market, namely aiming to meet the responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of business activity."

Reduction of emissions and carbon intensity, effective management and recovery for recycling, reduction or reuse of waste, integration actions and inclusion of disadvantaged groups, maintenance and job creation, support to local communities and employees and promotion of inclusive and quality education these are some of the criteria for evaluating the award in the areas of environmental and social impact.

It should be recalled that WASP, for promoting more sustainable practices at an environmental, social and economic level in Alentejo vineyards and wineries, has already been distinguished with numerous international awards, from the “The Drinks Business Green Awards”; the European Business Promotion Awards, an initiative of the European Commission and coordinated, in Portugal, by IAPMEI; or the title of European Ambassador for Rural Innovation for the LIAISON project, a European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability also launched by the European Commission.