ESG PROGRAM OVERVIEW

BY MELISSA DOWLING

Brown-Forman Corp ., founded in 1870 , boasts a diverse portfolio of spirits , though it ’ s best known for American whiskey and bourbon such as Jack Daniel ’ s and Woodford Reserve . Environmental , social , and governance ( ESG ) best practices “ are deeply embedded in our values and culture , as well as being formally incorporated into our corporate strategy ,” says Andy Battjes , the company ’ s director , global environmental sustainability , office of sustainability and ESG .

“ Living a Spirit of Commitment ” represents Brown-Forman ’ s long-held focus on ESG responsibility , Battjes says . “ We have integrated this commitment into how we do business on a daily basis , which means being mindful of our obligations to our colleagues , consumers , communities , and the natural world upon which we depend .”

We recently spoke with Battjes to learn more about the company ’ s ESG initiatives .

What programs around environmental sustainability have you implemented ? Our Jack Daniel Distillery in October announced a partnership with 3 Rivers Energy to develop an anaerobic digester that will convert distillery byproducts into renewable natural gas and liquid fertilizer . We also invest in long-term programs that are designed to increase the sustainability of our supply chain , especially agriculture and forestry . In partnership with DendriFund , Woodford Reserve continues its collaboration with farmers , academia , and other stakeholders to bring commercial rye production back to Kentucky .

In addition , Brown-Forman was a founding partner , alongside cofounder Dendri- Fund , in the White Oak Initiative , a diverse coalition of partners committed to the longterm sustainability of America ’ s white oak forests as well as the economic , social , and environmental benefits they provide .

A long-time supporter of action for forest sustainability , Jack Daniel ’ s established a hardwood Seed Orchard in partnership with University of Tennessee in 1998 , which now produces improved white oak acorns for planting in Tennessee ’ s forests .

The Old Forester Tree Nursery was established in 2021 to help protect and improve Kentucky ’ s white oak forests . In early 2023 the Old Forester Tree Nursery will plant the third and final lot of white oak trees in support of a white oak seedling establishment and genetic study , the first urban study of its kind .

What specific programs around social justice initiatives have you implemented ? Our social commitment areas include Alcohol Responsibility , Diversity & Inclusion , and Community Relations . This year , we ’ ve partnered with Safe Bars and Safe Bar Network to provide industry-specific training on preventing power-based personal violence in bars , restaurants , and venues . We ’ ve also been a long-time supporter of Ben ’ s Friends , an addiction recovery support group for hospitality workers , as well as supporting various addiction recovery organizations in Louisville , KY , including , the Healing Place , The Morton Center and Volunteers of America .

Jack Daniel ’ s and the Nearest Green Distillery , maker of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey , announced the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative to further diversity within the spirits industry . A combined pledge of $ 5 million helped create the Nearest Green School of Distilling , develop the Leadership Acceleration Program , and establish the Business Incubation Program .

Du Nord Social Spirits was the first graduate of the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative Business Incubation

Program . This program offers mentorship to BIPOC ( Black , Indigenous , and people of color ) entrepreneurs in all areas of the distilling business , including access to marketing , branding , expanded distribution networks , and other assets and opportunities for growth . Another pillar in the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative is the Leadership Acceleration Program , designed to fast-track the development of BIPOC candidates for future master distillers , distillery managers , and other senior management positions within the American whiskey industry .

The Brown-Forman Foundation is collaborating with five organizations in west Louisville to advance educational opportunities from early childhood through adult learning . The partnership and corresponding $ 50 million commitment empowers these organizations to increase their reach and create measurable impact .

How are you working with other members of the beverage community to achieve your ESG-related goals ? We leverage our key sustainability partners , such as the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable , Kentucky Distillers ’ Association , the Scotch Whisky Association and DendriFund , to keep abreast of sustainability trends , find opportunities for collaboration in the industry , and lend our voice to pertinent environmental issues .

Does your company measure / rate ESG internally , and do you report any of that information externally ? Each year we report on progress towards meeting our ESG commitments both internally and externally . Brown-Forman uses an integrated annual report to inform our shareholders , employees , and other stakeholders on our ESG programs , and we publish various ESG data on our company website in response to leading ESG protocols such as SASB , GRI and CDP .

10 ESG Supplement 2022