Acqua dell'Elba Benefit Corporation – 2026 Results
1. Environment
A Certified Environmental Management System
In 2026, we obtained ISO 14001 certification for our Environmental Management System and had our EMAS Environmental Statement validated by Bureau Veritas. Having completed all the required steps, we are now awaiting EMAS registration. This achievement is the result of a long-standing commitment that now provides us with more robust tools to measure, improve and report on our environmental performance.
A Verified Carbon Footprint
For the fifth consecutive year, we measured greenhouse gas emissions from our operations and value chain. For the first time, our emissions inventory was independently verified by Bureau Veritas in accordance with ISO 14064-1.
The scope of the analysis was expanded to include capital goods, water consumption, waste and upstream energy-related emissions, providing a more comprehensive picture and bringing reported emissions to 1,091.7 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. On a like-for-like basis, while production value increased by 1.7%, emissions decreased by 3.7%, with emissions from employee commuting falling by 26%.
From Offsetting to Reduction
After five years of increasingly accurate emissions measurement, we decided to move beyond the annual purchase of carbon credits and focus our resources and efforts on reducing emissions.
Our new approach includes an updated environmental plan, with the goal of reducing our carbon footprint by 20% by 2030 compared with 2024; a firm and permanent commitment to integrating environmental criteria into all investment and purchasing decisions; and two new policies covering employee commuting and business travel.
Packaging and Process Quality
We maintained our FSC certification, which guarantees the responsible sourcing of paper and cardboard used in our packaging, as well as ISO 22716 certification for good manufacturing practices in cosmetics. Two different standards united by the same attention to every stage, from production to packaging.
Kyoto Club
We renewed our membership of Kyoto Club, the network of companies and organisations committed to the energy transition and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
2. People
Certified Social Responsibility
We maintained our PAS 24000 certification, the international standard that supports businesses in managing and continuously improving their social performance, while respecting people's rights and dignity throughout the supply chain.
Certified Health and Safety
In 2026, we obtained ISO 45001 certification for occupational health and safety management. Together with ISO 14001, it now forms an integrated Environmental and Safety Management System, the result of a company-wide effort involving prevention, training, listening and audits.
Gender Equality and Time for Care
As part of our commitment to UNI/PdR 125, the gender equality standard for which we have been certified for three years, we strengthened our work-life balance measures. Since January, on the last Friday of every month, the company has given its employees one hour of paid time off, totalling nine hours per year, to spend as they wish. We have also maintained the doubling of mandatory paternity leave and a monthly allowance for each child during their first three years of life.
Our women's empowerment programme has also produced a tangible result: a curated bibliography on gender equality, now available in our company library.
Training That Fosters Growth
In 2026, company-wide training focused on gender equality and social responsibility, from inclusive language to respect in the workplace. We are thus continuing our commitment to bringing issues that shape our shared culture into the company.
3. Local Community
Elba 2035, a National Best Practice
The Elba 2035 participatory initiative was included by ASviS, the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development, in its report “Le buone pratiche dei territori” (Local Best Practices), among 216 Italian initiatives selected for their contribution to implementing the 2030 Agenda.
In March, the Island of Elba also hosted the “CO2 PACMAN. The Island I Would Like” event, part of the European Interreg Euro-MED project coordinated by the University of Siena and dedicated to Mediterranean islands. The project shares a tangible and consistent vision with Elba 2035.
The Acqua dell'Elba Foundation
In 2026, the Foundation continued its work across five areas: environment, education, culture, social welfare and art.
Key achievements included the inclusion of the Via dell'Essenza trail in the Cammini d'Italia network, the first gathering of Italian Blue Schools on the Island of Elba, the eighth edition of SEIF, the first edition of the Call for Social Projects and the permanent exhibition of the Acqua dell'Elba Art Prize.
Green Week and Green Box
Once again this November, Green Week brings together institutions, schools and citizens to share achievements and commitments relating to the island's sustainability.
The Green Box 2026, a 500 ml home fragrance refill in a special edition dedicated to the Foundation, will be offered as a complimentary gift with purchases of €110 or more. For each Green Box, Acqua dell'Elba will donate €10 to the Acqua dell'Elba Foundation to support its projects benefiting the territory and community of the Island of Elba.
4. Wider Community
Love That Heals
For the second year, we renewed our partnership with the Meyer Foundation, donating a selection of personalised fragrances worth €15,000 to support research into paediatric diseases, medical equipment and hospitality services for families at the Meyer Children's Hospital in Florence.
Pink October with Humanitas Foundation
Together with Humanitas Foundation for Research, we renewed our support for the Pink Union project during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, featuring Arcipelago Donna Eau de Parfum.
Art Odyssey
From 3 May to 12 September, the sailing boat Milanto crossed the western Mediterranean as part of Art Odyssey, the art and peace project conceived by art historian, artist and writer Lorenzo Cipriani and promoted by the Acqua dell'Elba Foundation together with Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte.
During their journey, Lorenzo Cipriani and skipper Valerio Bardi sailed 2,600 nautical miles, reached 50 ports across five countries and visited more than 50 contemporary art organisations, promoting a vision of the Mediterranean as a place of peace, cultural exchange and shared histories.
Throughout the voyage, they carried the Third Paradise flag, featuring the word “peace” in all the languages of the Mediterranean.
Sustainability Networks
In May, Acqua dell'Elba joined the Green Heroes community, the project created by Alessandro Gassmann to highlight people and businesses committed to an environmentally responsible economy. An article in il Venerdì di Repubblica featured the company, the Foundation, SEIF and the Blue Schools.
We also renewed our membership of Fondazione Symbola, the Foundation for Italian Quality.
Transparency
In March, we published our 2025 Impact Report, through which we report annually on the results achieved as a Benefit Corporation.
