Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, has announced 25 ambitious targets from its plan „Society 2030: Spirit of Progress“. The individual points of the plan are designed to ensure a positive impact on the world by 2030, in response to the so-called Decade of Action, the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. Building on its long-term progress on ESG globally, Diageo will focus its activities over the next ten years on three key themes. These are supporting responsible drinking, promoting inclusion and diversity, and establishing sustainable processes „from grain to glass“.
„We’re succeeding in sustainability and responsibility, but this ambitious action plan will ensure we go even further in the next ten years. In each of our three priority areas – supporting responsible drinking, promoting inclusion and diversity, and advancing the sustainability of ‘grain to glass’ processes – it is our goal to continue to blaze the trail for others to follow,“ said Michael Holm, Diageo’s CEO for Eastern Europe.
Main points of the „SOCIETY 2030: SPIRIT OF PROGRESS“ plan include:
Promoting responsible drinking
– by 2030, Diageo will reach one billion people with a message about responsible drinking through its brands,
– will try to change the attitudes of five million drivers to avoid drink driving,
– will educate more than ten million people about the dangers of underage drinking through „SMASHED“, its award-winning alcohol education program now operating on every continent.
Promoting inclusion and diversity
– Diageo is building on its strong tradition of diversity and by 2030 the company would like to fill 45% of its leadership positions with employees from ethnically diverse backgrounds and 50% of all leadership positions with women.
– Diageo will also provide skills and training to more than 1.7 million people to help create a thriving hospitality sector.
Sustainable processes „from grain to glass“
– Diageo is committed to pursuing a low carbon future, using 100% renewable energy to achieve net zero carbon in direct operations and working with suppliers to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50%.
– As a first step in meeting this goal, Scotland’s prestigious Oban and Royal Lochnagar distilleries will become carbon neutral by the end of 2020. Diageo will also aim to achieve net zero emissions in India by 2025.
– By 2030, the company will ensure that 30% less water is used to produce each drink than is used today. This will achieve a net positive impact on water supplies in the most stressed key reservoirs and communities.
– The company will also support more than 150 community water projects around the world, including providing access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
– Diageo will provide more than 150,000 smallholder farmers with techniques for soil regeneration and biodiversity building.
– By 2030, all plastic packaging will be made from 100% recycled material and will then be widely recyclable thereafter.
A global platform „Sustainable Solutions“will also be launched today to provide non-equity funding to start-up technology companies. These will then help Diageo develop sustainability in its supply chain and individual brands. Using a platform designed to support small companies and entrepreneurs to develop and commercialise their innovations, Diageo will share global resources and expertise to unlock the future potential of partners.
„It is essential that we act now if we want to preserve this amazing world we all live in. We’ve cut our own carbon footprint in half and are working to go even further and become carbon neutral by 2030. It seems fitting that we are forging a path with Oban and Royal Lochnagar distilleries to be carbon neutral by the end of the year,“ added Ewan Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer and President, Diageo Supply & Procurement.
Source:TZ