Diageo to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030
Diageo – whose brands include Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Smirnoff – says it will ‘pioneer grain-to-glass sustainability’: also working with suppliers to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50%.
Its Scottish distilleries of Oban and Royal Lochnagar will both become carbon neutral by the end of the year.
SDG alignment
Diageo is focusing its action across three core areas, selected to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These key areas, outlined in the ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ plan, are promoting positive drinking; championing inclusion and diversity; and pioneering grain-to-glass sustainability.
The company is also launching Diageo's Sustainable Solutions, a global platform to provide non-equity funding to start-up and technology companies. In this way, it wants to promote sustainability across its supply chain and brands.
Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive, Diageo said: "As a global business, we are committed to playing our part to protect the future of our planet and to leading the way for others to follow.
"I am immensely proud of Diageo's sustainability and responsibility achievements to date, and this new, ambitious action plan will challenge us even further to deliver more over the critical decade to 2030."
Three key areas for sustainability
Promoting positive drinking
- Reach more than one billion people with messages of moderation from brands by 2030;
- Change the attitudes of five million drivers towards drink driving;
- Educate more than 10 million people on the dangers of drinking underage through the 'SMASHED' educational awareness program.
Championing inclusion and diversity
- Achieve 45% representation of leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds by 2030; with 50% of leaders being women;
- Provide skills and training to more than 1.7m people for an inclusive and thriving hospitality sector.
Pioneering grain-to-glass sustainability
- Harness 100% renewable energy to achieve net zero carbon emissions across direct operations, and work with suppliers to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50%;
- Scottish distilleries of Oban and Royal Lochnagar to become carbon neutral by the end of 2020;
- Achieve net zero in India by 2025;
- Every drink to use 30% less water to make than it does today; achieve a net positive water impact in key water stressed basins and communities;
- Deliver over 150 community water projects across the world, including providing access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene;
- Support more than 150,000 smallholder farmers with farming techniques to regenerate the land and build biodiversity;
- Use 100% recycled content in plastic packaging; with 100% of Diageo's packaging being widely recyclable.
