Guinness and Baileys to go net carbon neutral in new Diageo action plan

Diageo, owner of the Guinness and Baileys drink brands, has unveiled a new 10-year sustainability action plan with the goal of becoming net carbon neutral.

A range of 25 goals were revealed in the company’s ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ plan.

Diageo said it will focus its action over the next 10 years in areas selected to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Of particular note, Diageo says it will “support over 150,000 smallholder farmers with farming techniques to regenerate the land and build biodiversity” as part of this.

The drink-maker says that in Ireland the Guinness and Baileys brands will lead the implementation of Diageo’s 2030 targets.

“Every drink produced will take 30% less water than it does today, packaging will be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable and the production operations on the island of Ireland will become net carbon neutral,” it was added.

The brands will also work in collaboration with farmers and those in its value chain to halve their indirect carbon emissions by 2030, the firm said.

Diageo Ireland also announced in September that the proposed Guinness Quarter development at St. James’s Gate aims to be Dublin’s first carbon neutral district.

John Kennedy, Diageo’s president of Europe, Turkey and India, pointed to work done so far in reducing the firm’s environmental footprint across carbon, water and waste.

“Recent achievements include a 32% reduction in CO2 emissions and halving water usage at St. James’s Gate. Similarly, at our Baileys operation on Nangor Road, 100% of the electricity supplied is renewable and zero carbon,” he said.

A core area of the plan focuses on “pioneering grain-to-glass sustainability”. This area contains the following points, according to the drinks giant:

Diageo has committed to working towards a low-carbon future, harnessing 100% renewable energy to achieve net zero carbon emissions across direct operations and working with suppliers to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50%;
As the first step in its net zero ambition, Diageo’s prestigious Scottish distilleries of Oban and Royal Lochnagar will both become carbon neutral by the end of 2020 and Diageo will aim to achieve net zero in India by 2025;
By 2030 Diageo will ensure that every drink it produces will take 30% less water to make than it does today and will achieve a net positive water impact in key water stressed basins and communities;
It will also deliver over 150 community water projects across the world, including providing access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene;
Diageo will support over 150,000 smallholder farmers with farming techniques to regenerate the land and build biodiversity;
By 2030 ensure that the business is using 100% recycled content in plastic packaging and that 100% of Diageo’s packaging will be widely recyclable.

Today also sees the launch of Diageo’s ‘Sustainable Solutions’, a global platform that will provide non-equity funding to start-up and technology companies in order to develop to help Diageo continue to embed sustainability in its supply chain and brands.

Designed to support small companies and entrepreneurs develop and commercialise their innovations, Diageo will share global resources and experience to unlock future potential for both partners.