Guinness manufacturer Diageo has launched a new 10 year sustainability action plan called "Society 2030: Spirit of Progress".
The plan will focus on three core areas that Diageo has selected to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The three core areas on which the plan will focus are promoting positive drinking, championing inclusion and diversity, and pioneering grain-to-glass sustainability.
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. The brands will also work in collaboration with farmers and those in their value chains to halve their indirect carbon emissions by 2030.
Additionally, Diageo Ireland said in September that its planned Guinness Quarter development in Dublin is planned to be the first zero carbon district in the Irish capital.
"Ambitious Action Plan"
Diageo's president of Europe, Turkey and India John Kennedy stated, "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.
"Across our Irish operations, we have already demonstrated our commitment to sustainability with a massive focus on reducing our 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."
"Sustainable Solutions" Platform
In addition to the "Society 2030: Spirit of Progress" plan, Diageo has launched a "Sustainable Solutions" global platform to provide non-equity funding to start-up and technology companies so that they can develop to help Diageo continue to embed sustainability in its supply chain and brands.
The platform has been designed to support small companies and entrepreneurs to develop and commercialise their innovations, and Diageo will share global resources and experience to unlock future potential for both partners.
"Vital" To "Act Now"
Chief sustainability officer and president, Diageo supply & procurement Ewan Andrew commented, "It is vital that we act now if we want to maintain the wonderful world we all live in. I'm proud that we have already halved our own carbon footprint and that we are going to push ourselves further by becoming carbon neutral by 2030. It feels fitting that we are leading the way with Oban and Royal Lochnagar distilleries, which will both be carbon neutral by the end of the year."
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