Diageo's Norwalk, Connecticut Office Awarded Prestigious LEED® Green Building Certification

Company's fourth North America site to earn important distinction

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Jan 26, 2015, 09:30 ET

NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, and one of Norwalk's largest employers, announced that its Norwalk, Connecticut office has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This certification is the fourth of Diageo's buildings in North America to be LEED-certified, joining the company's Chicago and New York offices, and a facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The LEED rating system, developed by the USGBC, is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

Developed by USGBC in March 2000, LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. The certification process evaluates all construction standards regarding sustainability and respect for the environment, across six categories: Sustainable Site, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation in Design.

"We regularly analyze and address the impact of our operations on the environment, and LEED certification is one of our sustainability milestones in Norwalk and across North America," said John Longo, Diageo North America, Director, Corporate Real Estate. "Taking the steps that led to LEED certification was the right thing to do for the environment, and also for our business. Those initiatives enable us to save resources, and also make our employees proud to work in an environmentally-friendly building."

In the LEED evaluation for the Norwalk building, Diageo scored the highest in the categories of: Innovation in Design, Water Efficiency, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. One of the factors that led to LEED certification is the company's robust program of energy management to support lower energy usage. The office has transitioned to utilizing lower energy LED (light-emitting diode) light fixtures and bulbs, as well as systems that ensure that heating and air conditioning are only provided during off-hours upon request. Occupancy sensor lighting and maximization of natural light also contribute to lessen overall energy use. In 2013 Diageo announced a transition to 100 percent renewable electricity at the Norwalk site. The move to purchase electricity derived from renewable sources is estimated to result in a 92 percent reduction in carbon emissions in Norwalk.

"Diageo's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Diageo serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish."

Diageo is recognized as a global leader in environmental sustainability. Globally, Diageo was the top beverage company in 2013 in the Carbon Disclosure Project, and scored highly in the FTSE4GOOD (top food and beverage company) and Dow Jones Sustainability indices. As Diageo's largest region by volume and value, with a significant manufacturing footprint, Diageo North America is a significant contributor to this result. In 2013, Diageo North America became a signatory of the Climate Declaration, which brings together companies and individuals to demonstrate support for a national strategy to tackle climate change. For more details about Diageo's global sustainability efforts, view the company's 2014 Sustainability & Responsibility Report at http://www.diageo.com/en-row/newsmedia/Pages/resource.aspx?resourceid=2317 .

Last month Diageo also announced its commitment to new sustainability and responsibility targets for 2020, which are aligned with the emerging United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The 2020 goals reflect ambitions to best manage carbon emissions and water stewardship across Diageo's entire supply chain. For more details about Diageo's 2020 targets, visit http://www.diageo.com/en-row/csr/sustainability/Pages/2020-Sustainability-Responsibility-targets.aspx.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

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SOURCE Diageo