Consumers are increasingly asking where products come from, how they are made and what impact they have on people and the environment. Independent organisations are responding by looking beyond marketing claims and assessing brands against measurable ethical standards.
One such organisation is The Good Shopping Guide, which uses its own independent research team to evaluate companies across a range of sectors. Their assessment of the spirits industry examined many of the market's most recognisable brands, measuring performance against environmental, social and governance criteria relevant to the sector.
The results highlighted how challenging it can be for brands to achieve high ethical standards. Of all the spirits companies assessed, only around one third achieved a score high enough to pass The Good Shopping Guide's Ethical Benchmark. Many household names failed to reach the required standard, including Belvedere, Hennessy, Smirnoff, Jack Daniel's, Captain Morgan and Gordon's.
The assessment considers a wide range of factors. These include environmental performance, sourcing policies, treatment of employees, corporate governance, transparency, organic and genetically modified ingredient policies where relevant, and the wider business practices of parent companies. The result is a more complete picture of how a brand operates beyond the product itself.
We are therefore incredibly proud that Downton Distillery has become the first distillery to achieve an Ethical rating through The Good Shopping Guide in 2020. Our score of 92% reflects years of investment in our Eco Programme and our commitment to producing spirits with a lower environmental impact.
From operating on 100% renewable electricity and reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by more than 80%, to our refill scheme, recycled packaging, carbon removal investments and conservation partnerships, sustainability has become part of every decision we make.
Recognition from an independent organisation reinforces our belief that great spirits and responsible business should go hand in hand.
