Diageo India Releases 2023 ESG Reporting Index; Makes Significant Improvements in Gender Representation

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 14 September 2023

Diageo India has unveiled its second annual ESG Reporting Index for 2023, outlining advancements in line with its "Society 2030: Spirit of Progress" ESG action plan. This reporting index provides insights into Diageo India's achievements across three primary objectives set out in the Society 2030 plan: advancing sustainability from grain to glass, promoting responsible drinking, and championing inclusion and diversity.

The ESG Reporting Index adheres to the 'Comprehensive' level of the globally recognized GRI Standards (2021) and aligns Diageo India's performance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Principles, and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board's (SASB) standards for the alcoholic beverage industry, which recommend disclosures on material issues.

Hina Nagarajan, Managing Director and CEO of Diageo India emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability and its positive impact on various aspects, including water stewardship, waste management, circularity, safety, and corporate governance. She stated that the index represents a transparent report on ESG progress, highlighting Diageo India's efforts to manage risks, leverage opportunities, and foster sustainable development both within the business and the community.

Key highlights from Diageo India's ESG Reporting Index 2023 include its grain-to-glass sustainability initiatives, with an emphasis on water conservation, low-carbon practices, and sustainable design. The company has created a replenishment capacity of 4,79,047 cubic meters of water annually through its community water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program, benefiting local infrastructure and enhancing people's quality of life.

Diageo India has achieved a 44% improvement in water use efficiency in distilleries and a 30% improvement in packaging against the 2030 goal of 40%. The Alwar distillery in Rajasthan has received the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification (Core) and is pioneering technology to extract drinking water from the air, conserving groundwater.

The company is making strides in reducing total packaging and increasing recycled content and recyclability across its product formats. Over 99% of the materials used in the past year were widely recyclable, with the goal of reaching 100% recyclability by 2030. Additionally, 57% of purchased packaging material contained recycled content.

Diageo India is actively involved in initiatives to combat underage drinking through programs like Act Smart India and anti-drink driving campaigns. Over 1,14,543 youths participated in Act Smart India to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking. Furthermore, 2,34,807 consumers engaged in anti-drink driving learning experiences, with partnerships established with 25 regional transport offices across Indian states to promote awareness. Diageo India has also been promoting moderation with messages reaching 52,642 consumers through the DRINKiQ platform.

Diageo India's commitment to ESG and its tangible achievements underscore the company's dedication to creating a sustainable and responsible business model.