Drinks company Diageo has announced two regenerative agriculture programmes across its tequila and scotch brands in Mexico and Scotland respectively.

Whilst the programmes will aim to reduce carbon emissions, they will also aim to build supply resilience, particularly in Jalisco, Mexico, a region that is exposed to climate risks, by building soil health. Both programmes will provide greater resilience and knowledge to the farmers on how to farm and adapt their farming practices in response to climate change.

The outcomes of Diageo’s global regenerative agriculture programmes are expected to contribute to a reduction in Diageo’s scope 3 carbon emissions reduction target as outlined in its 10-year ESG action plan, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress. The programmes form part of Diageo’s investment of £1bn into developing a low-carbon world.

The tequila regenerative agriculture pilot will build the local knowledge pool of agave regenerative practices and investigate how the plant holds carbon over a 6 to 7 year growth cycle. The programme will span across Diageo managed farms and its network of producers of the agave required for Diageo’s tequila brands. The first phase of the scotch programme will focus on approximately 20 farms in three key barley and wheat sourcing regions in Scotland for brands.

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