Danone Sustainability Review

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Danone qZERO® Sustainability Score

3.7 / 5.0

Advanced Sustainability *

November 20, 2024

About Danone

Headquarters: 17 BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN 75009 PARIS PARIS ILE DE FRANCE France
Country: France France

Danone is a globally renowned company known for its range of dairy products, plant-based alternatives, early life nutrition, and medical nutrition. Founded in 1919, the brand has consistently prioritised health and sustainability, ensuring products promote overall well-being. Its commitment to quality and innovation is evident in its diverse portfolio, catering to various dietary needs. Danone operates in more than 120 markets, making a significant impact worldwide. The company's mission revolves around "One Planet. One Health," reflecting its dedication to preserving natural resources while providing nutritious food options. Danone remains a trusted name for consumers seeking healthy, sustainable choices.

Danone Sustainability Rating is 3.7 out of 5.0

This means Danone are above average compared to other companies in the Meat, Poultry & Dairy.

Industry positioning

Danone
Industry average
5
4
3
2
1
0
3.7
3.0
Overall
3.9
3.0
Environmental
3.7
4.2
Social
3.3
3.8
Governance

Danone positioning within the Meat, Poultry & Dairy

Main Sustainability Issues for the Meat, Poultry & Dairy Industry

The Meat, Poultry & Dairy industry faces several sustainability challenges. Key issues include environmental impact through greenhouse gas emissions, significant water use, and deforestation. Social concerns involve animal welfare, workers' rights, and community relations. Governance challenges arise from transparency, regulatory compliance, and ethical practices.

Danone's Sustainability Performance Comparison

Danone demonstrates stronger environmental practices compared to the industry norm, showing better management of resources and lower emissions. Socially, the industry generally shows a more favourable stance on worker and community aspects. In terms of governance, Danone lags slightly, indicating room for improving corporate accountability and ethical standards within its operations.

How does Danone focus on You?

Danone, a global food and beverage company, offers a wide range of products catering to consumers' nutritional needs and preferences. Their portfolio includes:

  • Fresh dairy products (yoghurts, cheese)
  • Plant-based products (almond milk, soy yoghurt)
  • Waters (natural mineral water)
  • Nutritional products (infant formula, medical nutrition)

Balancing affordability and sustainability is a significant focus for Danone. To address this, the company has taken several initiatives:

Affordable Pricing:

  • Danone ensures competitive pricing by optimising supply chains and scaling operations to reduce costs.
  • They offer a range of product sizes and formats to fit different budget needs.

Sustainable Practices:

  • Danone commits to using responsibly sourced ingredients, reducing its carbon footprint across the supply chain.
  • By promoting reusable and recyclable packaging, they aim to reduce waste.
  • The company supports regenerative agriculture, enhancing soil health and biodiversity.

Danone achieves a balance between affordability and sustainability by transparently communicating their practices, fostering consumer trust and encouraging informed choices.

Danone Sustainability Rating Breakdown:

Danone Overall Sustainability Rating is 3.7 out of 5.0

Top Unique Elements of Danone's Sustainability Approach

Discover the standout aspects of Danone's commitment to sustainability:

  • Carbon Neutrality: Aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050.
  • Regenerative Agriculture: Practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity.
  • Water Stewardship: Reducing water usage and safeguarding water resources.
  • Circular Economy: Emphasising recyclable and reusable packaging solutions.
  • Social Responsibility: Supporting local communities and fair trade.

Experience responsible consumerism with Danone’s forward-thinking sustainability initiatives. Choose Danone for a greener future.

Danone Environmental Rating is 3.9 out of 5.0

Environmental Practices of Danone

Danone demonstrates a robust commitment to environmental sustainability with several notable strengths. The company's efforts in pollution prevention and management are highly effective, showcasing a dedication to reducing environmental impact. Additionally, Danone's use of environmental certifications exemplifies its regulatory compliance and commitment to industry standards. Strong performances in areas such as materials sourcing and land use highlight sustainable practices in resource management. However, there are opportunities for improvement. Particularly, enhancing strategies around greenhouse gas emissions and environmental compliance could bolster their environmental sustainability profile further. Overall, Danone showcases a balanced approach with room for growth.

Danone Social Rating is 3.7 out of 5.0

Social Sustainability Practices at Danone

Danone demonstrates robust performance in several key areas of social sustainability. The company excels in Social-related Certifications with impressive scores, reflecting strong commitment to maintaining high standards. Their initiatives in Diversity and Inclusion are noteworthy, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace. Exceptional scores in Training and Education indicate a significant investment in employee development and skill enhancement.

However, there are areas where Danone could enhance its efforts. The Products and Services score suggests room for improvement in product sustainability and consumer impact. Likewise, scores in Labor Relations and Product Quality Management indicate potential for development in employee relations and product standards. Supplier Engagement is another area that could benefit from stronger practices to ensure supply chain sustainability.

  • Exceptional in Social-related Certifications, Diversity and Inclusion, and Training and Education.
  • Improvement needed in Products and Services, Labor Relations, and Product Quality Management.
  • Opportunity for enhanced Supplier Engagement practices.

Danone Governance Rating is 3.3 out of 5.0

Governance Practices Summary

Danone demonstrates strong performance in governance, reflecting a solid structure and effective management practices in several key areas. Notable strengths include their Governance-related Certifications and Business Resilience and Sustainability. These high scores indicate a robust framework supporting the company's long-term sustainability and adherence to recognised standards.

Additionally, Board Accountability and Business Transparency are commendable, showcasing their efforts to maintain clear oversight and openness in operations. However, areas for improvement include Corporate Compliance Behaviours and Business Ethics, where lower scores suggest potential challenges in ensuring consistency and ethical conduct throughout their activities.

What makes Danone stand out in the Industry?

Danone's Unique Selling Proposition

Danone stands out in the market by offering nutrition-rich, high-quality dairy products that cater to health-conscious consumers. Their commitment to sustainable practices and superior ingredients ensures a balance of taste and well-being.

  • Nutrition-Rich Dairy Products
  • Commitment to Sustainability
  • High-Quality Ingredients
  • Focus on Consumer Health

These attributes make Danone a preferred choice for those seeking a healthy and sustainable lifestyle through their dietary choices.

So is Danone sustainable?

Danone's Sustainability Performance

As a globally recognised brand, Danone demonstrates a noteworthy commitment to sustainability across its operations. Their approach focuses on three main areas: environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance.

Environmental Efforts: Danone is dedicated to reducing its ecological footprint. Through innovative practices, they are actively working to limit pollution and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. This shows a genuine concern for the planet's well-being.

Social Responsibility: The company places emphasis on its social responsibilities, promoting fair trade and ethical treatment within the communities it operates. Efforts in nurturing positive relationships with workers, customers, and local communities underline their commitment to contributing positively to society.

Corporate Governance: In terms of governance, Danone is consistently working on improving transparency and accountability. This ensures they maintain high standards of corporate ethics and compliance with regulations, which is crucial for building consumer trust.

Overall, Danone’s concerted efforts indicate a clear dedication to incorporating sustainability into their business practices. This provides assurance that when you choose Danone products, you are supporting a company engaged in responsible and sustainable initiatives. As a shopper, understanding such efforts helps you make more informed decisions, aligning your purchases with your values.

Danone Certifications List


Danone Supports These Sustainable Development Goals


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