Governance and strategy

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Total score Governance and strategy Environment Nutrition Social inclusion

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This measurement area focuses on the integration of sustainable development objectives and targets into companies’ core strategy, business model and governance structure. It captures companies’ overall commitment to sustainable development, including whether the company’s highest governing board is responsible for leading its progress on sustainability targets, as well as its stakeholder engagement activities.

In the governance and strategy measurement area, companies across all segments generally perform well in the benchmark. Among the top 25 companies, only the restaurant and food service segment is not represented. The top 25 consists primarily of companies in the food and beverage processor and manufacturers segment. Nevertheless, while companies generally perform well, this does not always translate into a strong performance across the other measurement areas. This illustrates that a wide-ranging sustainability strategy with accountability systems and stakeholder engagement in place does not always lead on to high performance in other areas.

Approximately three quarters of companies have a sustainability strategy, with over a quarter of these companies setting time-bound targets for relevant sustainability topics. However, only around 10% of companies address topics in all dimensions of the benchmark (environment, nutrition and social inclusion), highlighting that most companies do not take a holistic sustainability approach. Moreover, while 70% of the companies disclose that they have established a governance and accountability framework, only 50% of companies report that this is overseen by the highest governance body.

Looking ahead, companies have the greatest opportunity to improve their performance regarding their stakeholder engagement activities. Around half of the companies do not disclose sufficient evidence in this area, with only 4% of companies reporting a strategic and continuous stakeholder engagement process which addresses all three benchmark dimensions. There is an opportunity for companies to increase their disclosure on their process for identifying and engaging with stakeholders, as well as how the outcomes of this process are integrated into the company’s wider sustainability strategy.

Ranking table

 Total score out of 100 Governance and strategy out of 10 Environment out of 30 Nutrition out of 30 Social inclusion out of 30
1 Diageo
Total score 53.0 /100
Governance and strategy 10.0 /10
Governance and strategy 10.0 /10
Environment 18.2 /30
Nutrition 7.5 /30
Social inclusion 17.2 /30
- Unilever
Total score 71.7 /100
Governance and strategy 10.0 /10
Governance and strategy 10.0 /10
Environment 20.5 /30
Nutrition 17.5 /30
Social inclusion 23.7 /30
3 Firmenich
Total score 52.3 /100
Governance and strategy 9.2 /10
Governance and strategy 9.2 /10
Environment 13.1 /30
Nutrition 16.9 /30
Social inclusion 13.2 /30
- Fonterra
Total score 53.5 /100
Governance and strategy 9.2 /10
Governance and strategy 9.2 /10
Environment 15.7 /30
Nutrition 17.5 /30
Social inclusion 11.2 /30
- PepsiCo
Total score 54.5 /100
Governance and strategy 9.2 /10
Governance and strategy 9.2 /10
Environment 18.4 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 16.9 /30
6 Ahold Delhaize
Total score 43.0 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 13.4 /30
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
Total score 26.8 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 7.5 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 7.2 /30
- DSM
Total score 43.5 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 13.1 /30
Social inclusion 10.7 /30
- Danone
Total score 63.6 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 22.5 /30
Nutrition 16.3 /30
Social inclusion 16.5 /30
- FrieslandCampina
Total score 43.4 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 8.8 /30
Nutrition 15.0 /30
Social inclusion 11.3 /30
- Kerry Group
Total score 45.3 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 12.3 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 15.9 /30
- Kirin Holdings
Total score 41.0 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 15.0 /30
Nutrition 6.0 /30
Social inclusion 11.7 /30
- Orkla
Total score 43.8 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 15.0 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 10.5 /30
- Uni-President
Total score 24.6 /100
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Governance and strategy 8.3 /10
Environment 4.8 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 6.5 /30
15 Asahi Group
Total score 34.5 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 2.5 /30
Social inclusion 13.2 /30
- Carrefour
Total score 43.5 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 14.4 /30
Nutrition 7.5 /30
Social inclusion 14.2 /30
- Charoen Pokphand Group
Total score 35.2 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 9.4 /30
Nutrition 6.3 /30
Social inclusion 12.1 /30
- Compass Group
Total score 31.5 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 7.5 /30
Nutrition 6.3 /30
Social inclusion 10.2 /30
- ForFarmers
Total score 29.4 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 9.4 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 8.7 /30
- Givaudan
Total score 36.7 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 5.6 /30
Social inclusion 12.3 /30
- Hormel Foods
Total score 34.3 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 10.2 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 7.8 /30
- International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Total score 28.0 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 9.4 /30
Nutrition 1.9 /30
Social inclusion 9.2 /30
- Jeronimo Martins
Total score 38.1 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 13.1 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 8.7 /30
- Kellogg's
Total score 50.1 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 17.0 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 16.8 /30
- Kraft Heinz
Total score 35.9 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 10.0 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 8.4 /30
- Kroger
Total score 38.5 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 14.4 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 7.9 /30
- Nestlé
Total score 68.5 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 20.0 /30
Nutrition 18.8 /30
Social inclusion 22.2 /30
- Nippon Suisan Kaisha (Nissui)
Total score 18.5 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 3.8 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 3.5 /30
- OCP
Total score 56.8 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 18.8 /30
Nutrition 15.0 /30
Social inclusion 15.6 /30
- Suntory
Total score 30.4 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 12.9 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 6.2 /30
- Sysco
Total score 27.7 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 8.8 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 7.7 /30
- Thai Beverage
Total score 30.7 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 9.4 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 10.1 /30
- The Coca-Cola Company
Total score 47.5 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 14.3 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 15.7 /30
- Vion
Total score 21.2 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 8.2 /30
Nutrition 1.3 /30
Social inclusion 4.2 /30
- Walmart
Total score 39.0 /100
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Governance and strategy 7.5 /10
Environment 13.8 /30
Nutrition 6.3 /30
Social inclusion 11.5 /30
36 Anheuser-Busch InBev
Total score 55.2 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 20.4 /30
Nutrition 13.5 /30
Social inclusion 14.7 /30
- Arla Foods
Total score 46.6 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 13.0 /30
Nutrition 13.8 /30
Social inclusion 13.2 /30
- Bayer
Total score 42.4 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 14.1 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 11.7 /30
- CNH Industrial
Total score 38.5 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 12.9 /30
Nutrition 7.5 /30
Social inclusion 11.5 /30
- Campbell's
Total score 39.6 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 13.8 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 9.2 /30
- Carlsberg
Total score 31.5 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 10.7 /30
Nutrition 6.0 /30
Social inclusion 8.2 /30
- Coles Group
Total score 49.6 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 12.5 /30
Nutrition 11.3 /30
Social inclusion 19.2 /30
- Evonik
Total score 25.5 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 7.5 /30
Nutrition 1.9 /30
Social inclusion 9.4 /30
- General Mills
Total score 41.8 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 13.8 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 12.7 /30
- Heineken
Total score 44.1 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 12.9 /30
Nutrition 7.5 /30
Social inclusion 17.1 /30
- Lindt & Sprüngli
Total score 25.6 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 8.2 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 5.7 /30
- Novozymes
Total score 33.8 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 11.8 /30
Nutrition 5.6 /30
Social inclusion 9.7 /30
- Nutrien
Total score 33.4 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 12.5 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 9.2 /30
- Olam International
Total score 43.4 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 10.2 /30
Nutrition 11.3 /30
Social inclusion 15.2 /30
- SSP Group
Total score 15.9 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 3.1 /30
Nutrition 1.3 /30
Social inclusion 4.8 /30
- Schwarz Gruppe (Kaufland, Lidl)
Total score 32.5 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 6.9 /30
Nutrition 7.5 /30
Social inclusion 11.5 /30
- Shoprite Holdings
Total score 18.3 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 6.3 /30
Nutrition 2.5 /30
Social inclusion 2.8 /30
- Tate & Lyle
Total score 37.4 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 14.1 /30
Nutrition 7.5 /30
Social inclusion 9.2 /30
- Wilmar International
Total score 42.2 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 6.8 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 18.7 /30
- Yara
Total score 39.8 /100
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Governance and strategy 6.7 /10
Environment 8.8 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 14.3 /30
56 Aldi Nord
Total score 36.9 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 10.6 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 11.7 /30
- Associated British Foods
Total score 29.4 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 6.8 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 13.0 /30
- BASF
Total score 40.9 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 12.5 /30
Social inclusion 11.3 /30
- BRF
Total score 26.2 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 9.5 /30
Nutrition 2.5 /30
Social inclusion 8.3 /30
- BayWa
Total score 30.5 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 9.4 /30
Nutrition 7.5 /30
Social inclusion 7.8 /30
- Bidcorp
Total score 16.0 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 5.0 /30
Nutrition 1.3 /30
Social inclusion 3.9 /30
- Bonduelle
Total score 30.8 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 6.3 /30
Social inclusion 7.4 /30
- FGV Holdings
Total score 21.6 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 6.6 /30
Nutrition 1.3 /30
Social inclusion 8.0 /30
- Flour Mills of Nigeria
Total score 10.4 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 0.0 /30
Nutrition 1.3 /30
Social inclusion 3.3 /30
- Fuji Oil Holdings
Total score 33.4 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 8.9 /30
Nutrition 6.3 /30
Social inclusion 12.5 /30
- Golden Agri-Resources
Total score 26.4 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 4.7 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 10.8 /30
- Grupo Nutresa
Total score 27.0 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 6.9 /30
Nutrition 10.0 /30
Social inclusion 4.2 /30
- Jacobs Douwe Egberts
Total score 28.4 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 7.6 /30
- K+S
Total score 18.7 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 5.0 /30
Nutrition 0.0 /30
Social inclusion 7.8 /30
- Maruha Nichiro
Total score 17.1 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 3.1 /30
Nutrition 3.8 /30
Social inclusion 4.4 /30
- Metro AG
Total score 33.5 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 13.8 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 8.9 /30
- Mondelez International
Total score 39.9 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 12.3 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 13.0 /30
- Mosaic
Total score 30.0 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 7.9 /30
- Nueva Pescanova
Total score 39.1 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 12.0 /30
Nutrition 13.8 /30
Social inclusion 7.5 /30
- OSI Group
Total score 20.3 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 8.2 /30
Nutrition 2.5 /30
Social inclusion 3.8 /30
- Pernod Ricard
Total score 37.4 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 13.9 /30
Nutrition 6.0 /30
Social inclusion 11.7 /30
- Seven & I Holdings
Total score 25.3 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 8.1 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 6.3 /30
- Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM)
Total score 19.8 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 1.3 /30
Nutrition 2.5 /30
Social inclusion 10.2 /30
- Sodexo
Total score 41.5 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 13.1 /30
Nutrition 8.8 /30
Social inclusion 13.7 /30
- Symrise
Total score 31.3 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 11.3 /30
Nutrition 5.6 /30
Social inclusion 8.6 /30
- Thai Union Group
Total score 36.1 /100
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Governance and strategy 5.8 /10
Environment 8.3 /30
Nutrition 5.0 /30
Social inclusion 17.0 /30
- Tongaat Hulett
Total score 22.7 /100
Governance and strategy