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Diageo Australia

OVERALL

Owned
UK
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Alcoholic beverage producers

Australia's 3rd largest alcohol company. It operates two manufacturing sites (Huntingwood and Bundaberg) and also has licensed brewing arrangements with Lion (Guinness). Brands include Bundaberg Rum, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys and Guinness. 80% of products sold in Australia are manufactured locally.

Company Ownership

Diageo Australia Ltd   AUS     website   email      
  Diageo PLC   
   owns 100% of Diageo Australia Ltd  
UK     website   email      

Alcoholic beverage producers

World's #1 spirits company. Diageo produces eight of the world's top 20 spirits brands. Formed by the 1997 merger of alcoholic beverage giant Guinness with food and spirits company Grand Metropolitan.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Diageo Australia Ltd
Environment Australian Packaging Covenant signatory
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020)
Social ABAC signatory
This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia.
Source: ABAC (2017)
Social DrinkWise contributor
This company makes voluntary contributions to DrinkWise Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, whose stated goal is to help bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia.
Source: DrinkWise (2020)
Social Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
This company is listed by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as a Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holder. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Source: WGEA (2019)
Diageo PLC
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of A-
In 2019, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A-.
Source: CDP (2019)
Social CDP Water Security Score of A
In 2019, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A.
Source: CDP (2019)
Business Ethics 86/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 86/100 in the Beverages category of the 2019 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices. The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2019)
Social Human Rights Benchmark
The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 200 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel, Extractives and ICT Manufacturing sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 50-60 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%.
Source: CHRB (2019)
Business Ethics 66.1% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2016
This company received a score of 66.1/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2016, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2016)
Business Ethics Fined for disclosure failures
In Feb 2020 the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission announced charges against alcohol producer Diageo plc for failing to make required disclosures of known trends relating to the shipments of unneeded products by its North American subsidiary to distributors. Diageo agreed to pay $5 million to settle the action. According to the SEC's order, employees at Diageo North America (DNA), Diageo's largest and most profitable subsidiary, pressured distributors to buy products in excess of demand in order to meet internal sales targets in the face of declining market conditions. The resulting increase in shipments enabled Diageo to meet performance targets and to report higher growth in key performance indicators that were closely followed by investors and analysts.
Source: US SEC (2020)
Social Irresponsible advertising
This company has been criticised for irresponsible advertising. In 2016 the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints about a television ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ASA concluded that the ad implied that drinking alcohol could enhance personal qualities and was therefore irresponsible. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Source: Advertising Standards Authority (2016)
Business Ethics Land grabs in Africa
This company is a partner of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which claims will lift 50 million people in Africa out of poverty by 2022. But according to a 2015 report by ActionAid, the scheme will benefit multinational companies at the expense of small-scale farmers and is likely to increase poverty and inequality in Africa. Launched in 2012, the New Alliance provides aid money from rich countries like the US and the UK, and helps big business invest in the African agricultural sector. But in return, African countries are required to change their land, seed and trade rules in favour of big business. The New Alliance will: Make it easier for big corporations to grab land in Africa: Prevent farmers from breeding, saving and exchanging seeds: Heavily promote chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which increase farmersÂ’ risk of debt as well as damaging the environment and farmers' health: Replace family farms with low paid, insecure jobs; and Prevent countries from restricting crop exports, even at times of domestic shortage.
Source: Action Aid (2015)
Business Ethics Corporate Watch Report 2005
Criticisms include Lobbying, Diageo's policy on 'Responsible Drinking' and Diageo's links with government [listed under information due to age of report]
Source: Corp Watch (2005)
Business Ethics Tax avoidance
In February 2009 it was reported in the Guardian that the company had restructured itself so as to avoid paying tax in the U.K., despite much of its profits being generated in the U.K.
Source: news article (2009)
Business Ethics Corruption
In 2011 Diageo agreed to pay more than US$16 million to settle charges by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding widespread violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act stemming from more than six years of improper payments to government officials in India, Thailand, and South Korea. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: US SEC (2011)
Environment Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy (2019)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to 100% renewable power; remove commodity-driven deforestation from all supply chains by 2020; develop low carbon action plan, improve water security.
Source: We Mean Business (2017)
Social Gender equality
This company appears on the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, signifying a commitment to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency.
Source: Bloomberg (2020)
Social Gender equality
The Female FTSE Board Report 2015 examines the percentage of women on the UK's FTSE 100 boards of directors. This company was one of 41 in the FTSE 100 with at least 25% female directors. In fact Diageo was in first place with 45.4%.
Source: Cranfield University (2015)
Business Ethics Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform (2019)
Business Ethics Sedex member
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex (2018)
Business Ethics UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact (2020)
Environment C grade for plastic pollution
As You Sow's 2020 report, Waste and Opportunity, ranks companies on plastic packaging pollution. The study measures the progress of 50 large companies in the beverage, quick-service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and retail sectors on six core pillars where swift action is needed to reduce plastic pollution: 1) Packaging Design, 2) Reusable Packaging, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Packaging Data Transparency, 5) Support for Recycling, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of C
Source: As You Sow (2020)
Social Second Life
Diageo uses Second Life, the online networking website, as marketing tool and have set up virtual bars in the created world.
Source: news article (2007)
Social Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: Modern Slavery Registry (2018)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue $570 million in 2019
Employees 420 in 2019
Aus Manufacturing Yes

Contact Details

Address Level 8, 55 Grafton St, Bondi Junction, VIC, 2022, Australia
Phone 02 9931 9888
Fax 02 9386 1548
Email global.general.information@diageo.com
Website https://www.diageo.com/en/our-business/where-we-operate/asia-pacific/diageo-australia/

Products / Brands

Diageo Australia
Archers Schnapps
Baileys Liqueur
Bells Scotch Whisky
Bulleit Bourbon
Bulleit Premix Spirits
Bundaberg Premix Spirits
Bundaberg Rum
Captain Morgan Rum
Captain Morgan Premix Spirits
Casamigos Tequila
Ciroc Vodka
Copper Dog Scotch Whisky
Crown Royal Whisky (other)
Dalwhinnie Scotch Whisky
Dimple Scotch Whisky
Don Julio Tequila
Gilbeys Gin
Gordons Gin
Gordons Premix Spirits
Haig Premix Spirits
Haig Scotch Whisky
J&B Scotch Whisky
J&B Premix Spirits
Johnny Walker Premix Spirits
Johnny Walker Scotch Whisky
Ketel One Vodka
Lagavulin Scotch Whisky
Pimms Aperitif
Pimms Premix Spirits
Real McCoy Bourbon
Real McCoy Premix Spirits
Ruski Premix Spirits
Sheridans Liqueur
Smirnoff Premix Spirits
Smirnoff Vodka
Talisker Scotch Whisky
Tanqueray Gin
Tanqueray Premix Spirits
UDL Premix Spirits
Vat 69 Scotch Whisky
Zacapa Rum


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