One of the largest of its kind in North
America, the new distillery in Kentucky will operate using 100%
renewable electricity, zero fossil fuels for production and virtual
metering technology
The new site reflects Diageo’s ongoing
commitment to use 100% renewable energy and become net-zero carbon
across direct operations by 2030
Global beverage leader Diageo has opened its first carbon
neutral distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky. The site will support the
local community with 30 full-time jobs while also sourcing 100%
non-GMO corn locally. The 72,000 square-foot facility has the
capacity to produce up to 10 million proof gallons per year and has
begun distilling Bulleit Bourbon using electrode boilers that are
powered by 100% renewable electricity throughout the cooking,
distillation, and dry house processes. Bulleit is the first and
lead brand being produced at the Diageo Lebanon Distillery –and
supplements existing production at the nearby Bulleit Distilling
Co. in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
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Designed with sustainability at its core, the distillery is
built to ensure that fossil fuels are not used during production.
By partnering with Inter-County Energy and East Kentucky Power
Cooperative (EKPC), Diageo is sourcing a mix of wind and solar
energy to power the electrode boilers, onsite electric vehicles,
internal and external lighting and equipment making the facility
one of the largest of its kind in North America. The site has
implemented virtual metering technology to advance visibility of
water, electricity, and steam usage, collecting key data that is
used to drive the company’s resource efficiency and sustainability.
These technologies will allow the Diageo Lebanon Distillery to
avoid approximately more than 117,000 metric tons1 of carbon
emissions annually, the equivalent of taking more than 25,000 cars
off the road for a year2.
“Two years ago, we set a vision and commitment to build our
first carbon neutral distillery in North America. Now that the
Diageo Lebanon Distillery is operational, I’m incredibly proud of
the innovative actions from our teams and partners to fully
electrify the facilities and power them with renewable electricity.
This is a significant step in our journey to create a low carbon
future and be part of the solution to tackle the ongoing climate
crisis,” said Perry Jones, President, North America Supply for
Diageo.
In addition to the sustainability features of the new facility,
Diageo implemented an optimized staffing model consisting of
Bourbon Production Experts (BPE’s) responsible for all aspects of
distillery, dry house, and operations. By rotating the BPE’s
through each operational area to ensure depth of knowledge and
flexibility, Diageo aims to accelerate the development of future
leaders, ensuring a focus on gender equity and diversity to help
shape the industry.
“At Bulleit, we believe we have a responsibility to our
environment, our communities, and our planet. We are proud to
initiate the production of Bulleit Bourbon at the carbon neutral
Lebanon Distillery, as we take a significant step forward in the
brand’s long-lasting commitment to sustainability,” said Sophie
Kelly, SVP Whiskies, Diageo NA.
Bulleit brand’s continued commitment to
sustainability
Bulleit has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and
reducing its carbon footprint at the existing distillery in
Shelbyville, Kentucky, which was honored with the award of Highly
Commended for Sustainable Distillery of the Year at Whisky
Magazine’s 2020 Icons of Whisky American Awards.
- In 2021, the brand committed an annual $25,000 grant to support
Kentucky State University students in the Master of Agriculture
Sciences in Environmental Studies program for the next five
years, helping build a pipeline of diverse talent into the spirits
industry by supporting the sustainability leaders of tomorrow.
- Bulleit recently partnered with American Forests to plant
one million trees by 2025, providing a variety of environmental
benefits including carbon sequestration, air purification, water
conservation, and providing vital wildlife habitat.
- The Bulleit Distilling Co. production is a zero waste to
landfill site.
- The Bulleit Visitor Experience includes a partnership with the
non-profit Oceanic Global to ensure its tasting experience and
cocktail bar aligns with The Oceanic Standard (TOS) a certification
for venues that have adopted sustainable operating practices and
are committed to eliminating single-use plastics.
Diageo’s plan to building a low carbon future
Combatting climate change and its associated impacts is at the
heart of Diageo’s ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ action
plan. The company has already halved the carbon emissions
associated with its operations since 2008 and is now working to
reach net-zero carbon across its direct operations by 2030,
harnessing 100% renewable energy. As part of its action plan,
Diageo is developing site-by-site roadmaps and is also working to
achieve net-zero carbon across the entire supply chain by 2050 or
sooner, with an interim milestone to achieve a 50% reduction by
2030.
Building on a long track-record of environmental, social and
governance (ESG) progress globally, Diageo is now in the top 1000
companies in the world taking action to address climate change in a
science-led and systemic way. The company’s goals in this space
have been calculated in accordance with the principles of Science
Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and recently validated as meeting
the criteria for the 1.5oC pathway.
Diageo is part of a pioneering group of organizations that are
championing a green recovery and supporting the Sustainable
Development Goals, through membership of the United Nations Global
Compact, We Mean Business Coalition and other key global advocacy
organizations. As a signatory to RE100, Diageo aims to source 100%
of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. In addition,
Diageo has signed onto the global Race to Zero campaign, a
commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or
earlier. In North America, the company joined the Renewable Thermal
Collaborative to share best practices and work together to scale up
renewable thermal energy.
Note to editors:
Carbon neutrality of Diageo’s new Lebanon, Kentucky distillery
for all Scope 1 and 2 emissions from site operations will be
achieved by Diageo in accordance with PAS 2060 for the period
commencing with the first grain delivery to completion of
distilling operations, certified by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
View the PAS 2060 Qualifying Explanatory Statement. Through
sourcing for renewable electricity and the electrification of
operations, the site will only require residual amounts of carbon
offsets to be purchased, associated with operational elements such
as emergency back-up power.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown
Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel
One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain
Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO)
and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and our products are sold
in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information
about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at
www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking
resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways
to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news
and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
_______________________________
1 Both direct and indirect carbon emissions - comprising over
35,000 metric tons direct emissions, and over 82,000 metric tons of
indirect emissions of CO2-eq 2 According to the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies
Calculator):
https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210928005747/en/
Media: Luis Carlos Rabago Luis.Rabago@diageo.com (203)
690-0860
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