Danone
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Reporting Period: 2014
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Social, Societal and Environmental Responsibility
- Sustainable industrial and agricultural models
- Nutrition
Environmental Achievements
- Reduction of carbon intensity by 42% from 2008 to 2014
Social Achievements
- Ranked No. 1 in the ATNI index (Access To Nutrition Index)
- Ranked in leading social responsibility indexes: Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Vigeo, Ethibel Sustainability Index
Governance Achievements
- Separation of chairman and CEO functions, strengthening the Chairman’s duties
Climate Goals & Targets
- Organic growth in sales of between +4% and +5% on a like-for-like basis in 2015
- Slight growth in trading operating margin on a like-for-like basis in 2015
Environmental Challenges
- High milk price inflation
- False safety alert issued by Fonterra in 2013
- Decline in Dumex brand sales in China
- Difficult and unstable economic environment
- Fragile or deflationary consumer trends in Europe
- Volatile currencies in emerging markets
Mitigation Strategies
- Cost reduction and adaptation plan in Europe
- Actions to improve product portfolio mix
- Innovation, distribution and partnerships in the US
- Price increases in CIS region
- Action plans to restore sales in affected Asian markets
- Focus on developing product categories and winning market share
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Close cooperation with local milk producers to improve animal husbandry practices
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- 100% plant-based plastic bottle
Reporting Period: 2016
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Nutrition
- Health
- Sustainability
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced sugar content in various products (e.g., Activia Prune, Danonino, Bonafont)
- Initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture and responsible packaging (mentioned but not quantified)
Social Achievements
- Launched numerous programs to address local public health challenges (e.g., obesity, malnutrition, calcium deficiency) in partnership with governments and NGOs
- Improved nutritional quality of products (e.g., increased vitamins and minerals, reduced sugar, fat, and salt)
- Developed healthier alternatives to existing products
- Implemented responsible marketing practices, especially towards children
- Provided appropriate product labeling to encourage healthier practices
- Supported research and innovation in nutrition and health
Governance Achievements
- Established a Product Compliance Board to ensure product compliance with regulations and Danone rules
- Created a Nutrition Steering Committee to establish Danone's nutrition strategy and measure performance
- Implemented systematic reporting systems (Danone Way and Nutrition & Health Scorecard)
- Independent third-party assurance provided by KPMG
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Addressing public health issues like obesity and malnutrition in various regions
- Balancing consumer preferences with nutritional improvements
- Ensuring responsible marketing practices, particularly for children
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed healthier product alternatives
- Implemented responsible marketing policies and external audits
- Partnered with governments and NGOs to address public health challenges
- Improved product labeling and provided nutritional information
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Awards & Recognition
- FTSE4Good Index
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Health and Nutrition
- Environment
- Social
- Responsible Sourcing and Human Rights
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced energy consumption intensity by 1.1% in 2019; 47% reduction since 2000.
- Reduced water consumption intensity by 1.9% in 2019; 49% reduction since 2000.
- Increased renewable energy share to 19.7% of total energy consumed in 2019.
- 87% of sites compliant with GREEN standards in 2019.
- 86% of production sites achieved FSSC 22000 certification in 2019.
- 81% of Danone’s packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable in 2019 (like-for-like increase).
- 90.1% of industrial waste recovered in 2019.
- 88.6% of food waste recovered in 2019.
Social Achievements
- Launched the Dan’Cares program, providing healthcare coverage to 99,627 employees in 53 countries in 2019.
- Implemented parental benefits policy in 18 countries in 2019.
- 83% of employees received at least one training course in 2019.
- Improved animal welfare practices, reaching Tier 2 of the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare.
- Launched MilQSat initiative to assess farmer performance on quality, food safety, and traceability.
Governance Achievements
- Implemented a confidential whistleblowing system (Danone Ethics Line), receiving 355 alerts in 2019.
- Incorporated environmental and social performance criteria into variable compensation for 1,600 senior executives.
- 20 Danone entities are B Corp™ certified, covering more than a third of consolidated sales.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve carbon neutrality across the entire value chain by 2050.
- Achieve 100% rPET bottles for evian and Volvic brands by 2025.
- Use 25% recycled materials in plastic packaging by 2025.
- Reduce unrecovered food waste by 50% by 2025.
- Achieve zero fatal accidents and 50% reduction in workplace accidents requiring medical absence by 2020.
- Achieve 100% compliance with Danone Clean Water Standards by 2020.
- Reduce water consumption in production processes by 60% relative to 2000 by 2020.
Environmental Challenges
- Climate change impacts on ingredient availability, production sites, water resources, packaging material prices.
- Supply chain disruptions due to social and environmental risks.
- Maintaining food safety and quality across the value chain.
- Ensuring responsible marketing practices, particularly towards children.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed a climate policy with a target of carbon neutrality by 2050.
- Implemented regenerative agriculture practices.
- Developed a Forest Footprint Policy to eliminate deforestation by 2020.
- Implemented the iCare program to strengthen food safety culture.
- Developed a responsible communication policy aligned with the ICC Code and EU Pledge.
- Implemented the WISE² program to improve workplace health and safety.
- Developed the RESPECT program for responsible sourcing and human rights.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 573 SMETA audits in 2019
Responsible Procurement
- RESPECT program
- Sustainability Principles for business partners
- Code of Conduct for Business Partners
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
- Water scarcity
- Ingredient availability
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Regenerative agriculture
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, FSSC 22000
Third-party Assurance: PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Danone's initiatives contribute to these goals through various environmental and social programs.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Plant-based products
- Products with probiotics, nutrients, and proteins
- Recyclable and compostable packaging
Awards & Recognition
- CDP Triple A score for Climate Change, Forests, and Water
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Health & Nutrition
- Environment (including climate change)
- Social (including workplace health and safety)
- Responsible Sourcing & Human Rights
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 14.8% between 2020 and 2021
- Reduced full scope GHG emissions by 3% on a like-for-like basis compared to 2020
- Increased renewable energy share to 29.8% of total energy use in 2021
- 87 production sites purchased 100% renewable electricity in 2021
- 99.8% of paper and board packaging made of recycled or certified fibers in 2021
- 84% of packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable in 2021
- Reduced industrial waste by 16% between 2020 and 2021
- Reduced food waste ratio by 5.3% (excluding waste for animal feed and biomaterials) between 2020 and 2021
Social Achievements
- Launched the “Future of Work” study to improve working conditions
- Increased percentage of women in senior management positions to 41%
- Reduced gender pay gap to 3.1 points
- Deployed FutureSkills initiative to support employee reskilling
- Reduced FR1+2 rate (lost-time and non-lost-time accidents) by 8%
- 91,672 employees received health coverage in 55 countries through Dan’Cares program
- Implemented Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in 28 countries
Governance Achievements
- Established a sustainability governance structure with various committees
- Implemented a worldwide compliance program with anti-corruption measures
- Received 568 alerts on various issues, none with material impact on consolidated accounts
- Vetted over 14,425 third parties, with 95% approved
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2050
- Achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030
- Reduce full scope GHG emissions intensity by 50% by 2030
- Implement regenerative agriculture practices across all key ingredients by 2030
- Achieve 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025
- Reduce water consumption intensity of high-risk production sites by 50% by 2030
- Reduce food waste ratio by 50% by 2025
- 50% women in senior management positions by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to climate events
- Covid-19 pandemic impact on operations and reporting
- Transition risks related to climate change
- Water stress and thermal stress on the milk supply chain
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies
- Implemented action plans to address Covid-19 challenges
- Developed climate change scenarios and adaptation strategies
- Implemented regenerative agriculture practices to improve water resource management
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 117 on-site or virtual assessments of high-risk suppliers in 2021
Responsible Procurement
- Sustainability Principles incorporated into contracts with Tier 1 suppliers
- RESPECT program for Tier 1 suppliers
- Use of Sedex and Ecovadis platforms for supplier assessment
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Water stress
- Extreme weather events
- Thermal stress on milk supply chain
Transition Risks
- Shift to plant-based alternatives
- Carbon pricing
- Growing consumer engagement in fighting climate change
- Increasing reporting obligations
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products
- Regenerative agriculture practices
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD
Certifications: ISO 14001, FSSC 22000
Third-party Assurance: PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Danone's initiatives contribute to these goals through various programs and commitments related to water stewardship, renewable energy, waste reduction, and climate change mitigation.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Reusable water containers
- Paper-based cups
- PET yoghurt pots
- Bio-based plastic packaging
Awards & Recognition
- CDP's triple A rating for climate change, forests, and water
- Access to Nutrition Index ranking
- FTSE4Good Index membership
- Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index membership
- Equileap ranking for gender equality
- Arborus Foundation's Gender Equality Diversity and Internal Standard Award
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Health
- Nature
- People & Communities
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved AAA status from CDP for environmental leadership on climate, forests, and water security for the fourth consecutive year.
- 1.5°C FLAG Target approved by Science Based Target Initiative for Forest, Land, and Agriculture.
- Launched Global Energy Excellence Program, Re-Fuel Danone, to improve energy efficiency.
- Signed the WASH Pledge.
- Issued renewed Forest Policy and Human Rights Policy.
Social Achievements
- 74.2% of global sales covered by B Corp certification.
- Continued progress towards gender balance in management.
- Improved employee engagement scores.
- Implemented WISE2 program to reduce workplace accidents.
- Launched various initiatives to support vulnerable communities.
Governance Achievements
- Established a sustainability governance structure with the Global Sustainability Board and Global Sustainability Compliance Board.
- Linked executive compensation to ESG performance.
- Appointed a Mission Committee to monitor progress towards mission objectives.
- Implemented a robust compliance program including the Danone Ethics Line.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Halve the use of virgin fossil-based packaging by 2040.
- Recover as much plastic as used by 2040.
- Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 47.2% by 2030.
- Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030.
- Reduce absolute scope 1 and 3 FLAG GHG emissions by 30.3% by 2030.
- Achieve 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by 2030.
- Reduce virgin fossil-based packaging by 30% by 2030.
- Reduce water consumption intensity by 50% at high-risk production sites by 2030.
- Improve energy efficiency by 30% by 2025.
- Source 30% of key ingredients from farms transitioning to regenerative agriculture by 2025.
- Achieve zero deforestation and conversion on key commodities by 2025.
- Reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
Environmental Challenges
- Availability of ingredients due to climate change.
- Extreme climate events affecting production sites.
- Water resource availability and watershed degradation.
- Price volatility of packaging materials.
- Financing the transition to sustainable agricultural practices.
- Supply chain disruptions.
- Underdeveloped reuse, collection, and recycling infrastructure.
- Scarcity of recycled content.
Mitigation Strategies
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies.
- Implemented regenerative agriculture programs.
- Improved water efficiency in production sites.
- Developed a circular economy approach to packaging.
- Invested in reforestation and ecosystem restoration programs.
- Implemented the Re-Fuel Danone program to improve energy efficiency and increase renewable energy use.
- Developed the Sustainable Dairy Partnership (SDP) to engage with dairy suppliers on sustainability.
- Invested in the Circulate Capital Ocean Fund (CCOF) to develop recycling infrastructure.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 85 sites completed on-site or virtual assessments in 2022.
Responsible Procurement
- Danone Sustainability Principles (DSP)
- Code of Conduct for Business Partners
- RESPECT program
- Sustainable Dairy Partnership (SDP)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Availability of ingredients due to extreme weather events.
- Water stress and thermal stress on the milk supply chain.
- Extreme events affecting direct operations.
Transition Risks
- Shift to plant-based alternatives.
- Growing consumer engagement in fighting climate change.
- Carbon pricing.
- Increasing reporting obligations.
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products.
- Growth of plant-based products.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SBTi, TCFD, UNGC, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, B Corp
Certifications: ISO 14001, FSSC 22000
Third-party Assurance: Mazars
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Danone's initiatives contribute to these goals through various programs and policies.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Plant-based products
- Reusable packaging
Awards & Recognition
- CDP Triple A rating
- Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
- Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index
- Arborus Foundation Gender Equality Award
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced GHG emissions by 17% between 2020 and 2022 (Direct Operations)
- More than 70% of electricity from renewable sources in 2022 (Direct Operations)
- More than 7% of thermal energy from renewables in 2022 (Direct Operations)
- 84% of packaging in 2022 is reusable, recyclable or compostable
- Reduced plastic use by 31,000 tons and virgin plastic by nearly 71,000 tons between 2018 and 2022
- Nearly doubled the use of recycled materials in plastic packaging since 2018, reaching 11.9% in 2022
- 300kT reductions in milk-related emissions between 2020 and 2022
- 22% reduction in emissions factors of ingredients sourced from Royal FrieslandCampina between 2015 and 2022
Social Achievements
- Launched Partner for Growth program in 2023 engaging 50 partners
- Danone North America Soil Health Program reduced nearly 119,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent and sequestered more than 31,000 tons of carbon since 2017
Governance Achievements
- Executive remuneration aligned with transition plan goals
- 2023 GPS plan includes internal sustainability performance conditions for 30% of the assessment and includes a performance condition on the like-for-like reduction of GHG emissions
- CEO has a short-term incentive tied to climate performance in 2023
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net-Zero emissions by 2050
- 35% renewable thermal energy by 2030
- 100% renewable electricity by 2030
- 30% improvement in energy efficiency in factories by 2025
- 70% recycling rate by 2030
- Reduce absolute emissions by 34.7% by 2030 (compared to 2020 baseline)
- 30% reduction in methane emissions from fresh milk by 2030
- 30% of key ingredients from farms engaged in regenerative agriculture by 2025
- 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030
- 30% reduction in virgin fossil-based packaging by 2030
Environmental Challenges
- Development of the renewable energy market
- Transition of all assets to renewable electricity and thermal energy sources
- Thermal energy transition
- Dependence on dairy farms' actions for decarbonization
- Climate change adaptation for resilient and low-carbon farms
- Consistent global standards for long-term carbon removals through agriculture
- Systemic barriers slowing down circular economy of packaging (underdeveloped collection and recycling infrastructure, underdeveloped reuse infrastructure, scarcity of recycled material)
- Need for collective action across the value chain for circular economy of packaging
- Different levels of carbon footprint and decarbonization maturity across regions and farms
- Demographic changes and urbanization posing risks to availability of sustainably-produced raw materials
Mitigation Strategies
- Re-Fuel program for energy efficiency, renewable thermal energy, and renewable electricity
- Regenerative agriculture programs
- Renewed Forest Policy (verified deforestation and conversion free supply chains by 2025)
- Supplier engagement program (embedding decarbonization goals into contracts, co-developing decarbonization plans, investing in on-the-ground projects)
- Shift to lower-carbon materials, packaging optimization, value chain engagement, end-of-life treatment improvements
- Optimization & Efficiency, Modal shift, Low-carbon warehouses initiatives, Innovative technologies in logistics
- Aligning direct operations decarbonization actions with co-manufacturing partners, engaging co-manufacturing partners to commit to SBTi targets
- Integrating carbon footprint into innovation and renovation processes, innovative lower carbon packaging and formats, developing lower carbon ingredients, fostering innovation and breakthrough technologies, portfolio management
- Livelihoods Funds for projects allying decarbonization with social and environmental benefits
- Developing strategy for addressing residual emissions through permanent removals
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Responsible Sourcing Policy (by 2030)
- Sustainable Dairy Partnership (SDP)
- Deforestation and Conversion Free commitments
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Water stress and thermal stress on milk supply chain
- Water stress and thermal stress on agricultural ingredients
- Extreme events affecting direct operations
- Water stress on direct operations
Transition Risks
- Shift to plant-based alternatives
- Growing consumer engagement in fighting climate change
- Carbon pricing in procurement of packaging and logistics
- Carbon pricing in the cost of direct operations
- Increasing reporting obligations
Opportunities
- Shift to plant-based alternatives
- Growing consumer engagement in fighting climate change
- Carbon pricing in procurement of packaging and logistics
- Carbon pricing in the cost of direct operations
- Energy efficiency initiatives and transition to renewable energy
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SBTi, TCFD, GHG Protocol
Certifications: ISAE 3000
Third-party Assurance: Independent third-party
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Plant-based products (Silk, Alpro)
- Fortimel Plant Based Energy
Reporting Period: 2024
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Social Principles
- Environmental Principles
- Business Ethics Principles
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net gain from 2030 and full recovery by 2050 (Biodiversity).
- Deploy SSP to all suppliers by 2030.
- Achieve 100% packaging designed to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable and 30% virgin fossil-based reduction by 2030.
Environmental Challenges
- Increasing incidents of modern slavery in global supply chains.
- Seven of the eight planetary boundaries needed to protect life have been breached.
Mitigation Strategies
- Launched Danone Impact Journey in 2023, focusing on Health, Nature, and People & Communities.
- Developed Danone Sustainable Sourcing Policy (SSP) to establish fair, sustainable, and ethical relationships with suppliers.
- Engaged with diverse stakeholders (union representatives, NGOs, international experts) to develop the SSP.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Danone Sustainable Sourcing Policy (SSP)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights (UNGPs), International Bill of Rights, International Labour Organization (ILO) eight core conventions, OECD Responsible Business Conduct due diligence approach, Science Based Target for Nature (SBTN), Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Accountability Framework Initiative (AFI), EU regulation on deforestation-free products, ISO 14001