CDP report: Diageo, GSK and Anglo American top reporting firms

Launched today, the CDP’s report provides an annual update on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) data and climate change strategies at the UK’s largest public companies.

Although those at the top of the list make up a range of industries, the financial sector is prominent amongst the leading eight companies.

Topping the list, along with Diageo, GSK and Anglo-American, is BT, Barclays, British Sky Broadcasting, HSBC and British Land, who all received a disclosure score of more than 90.

Diageo and GSK lead the pack with a score of 98, with HSBC just behind with 97 and Anglo-American with 96.

GSK vice president of environmental sustainability, Richard Pamenter, says: “Understanding the risks and opportunities around climate change is important for an international company like GSK if we are to bring more medicines to more people in a more sustainable way.

“Our long term goal is to be carbon-neutral across our value chain by 2050. This means not just reducing emissions at our own facilities, but right across our value chain from the sourcing of raw materials to the use of our products by patients and consumers. Measurement and disclosure of value chain emissions is a critical first step on our journey to be carbon neutral.”

For beverage company Diageo, who makes Johnnie Walker and Guinness, this is the second time in a month that it has been recognised for its performance against environmental impacts.

Last month, the company was selected as a member of the World and Europe Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

Commenting on both achievements, Diageo’s director of sustainability & responsibility, Carolyn Panzer, said: ‘We are honoured that two such highly regarded indices have rated our performance at the top of best in class companies who are leading on sustainability.

“We know that stakeholder expectations of the private sector continue to evolve and become more demanding and we plan to continue to be responsive to these as we grow our business responsibly around the world,” added Panzer.

Depite the mining industry often being labelled a barrier to sustainable development, mining giant Anglo American also continues to gain recognition for its environmental and social reporting, ranking highly in the CDP’s list for a second consecutive year.

Finance director of Anglo American, René Médori, said: “Gaining the trust of stakeholders is a clear imperative for all businesses, and is all the more critical in the mining industry. Anglo American’s reporting is a reflection on the way we do business and reinforces our view of the importance of providing stakeholders with clearly presented, compelling and transparent information”.

Leigh Stringer