Constellation Brands Inc. | Climate transition plan and GHG reduction goals at Constellation Brands Inc.

Status
Filed
AGM date
Previous AGM date
Proposal number
5
Resolution details
Company ticker
STZ
Lead filer
As You Sow
Resolution ask
Report on or disclose
ESG theme
  • Environment
ESG sub-theme
  • GHG targets / emissions
  • Net Zero / Paris aligned
Type of vote
Shareholder proposal
Filer type
Shareholder
Company sector
Consumer Discretionary
Company HQ country
United States
Resolved clause
RESOLVED: Shareholders request Constellation adopt interim and long-term reduction targets across its full range of value chain emissions in alignment with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal requiring Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Whereas clause
WHERAS: According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the window for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.5oC) is quickly narrowing.1 Investor demand for science-aligned greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions reflects the reality that climate change poses a systemic risk to companies and to investor portfolios. Failure to limit global temperature rise is projected to have dramatic economic consequences.2 Immediate and significant emissions reduction is required of all market sectors.3

Constellation Brands identifies numerous climate-related risks in its 10-K, including climate change’s negative effects on agricultural productivity and water security.4 Some of these risks have already manifested: the Company notes that fiscal year 2021 inventory levels for its beer and wine and spirits segments were “negatively impacted by climate-related events.”5 Constellation Brands also identifies regulatory compliance costs associated with climate change as a risk factor.6 By reducing the emissions from its full value chain, Constellation Brands can mitigate the climate-related risks posed by supply chain disruptions and reduce transition costs associated with new regulations.

While Constellation Brands has committed to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15% by 2025,7 these targets are not aligned with the global 1.5oC Paris goal. Furthermore, according to the Company’s disclosures, over 95% of its emissions fall within Scope 3, meaning that its current climate targets cover less than one percent of its total climate footprint.8 Constellation Brands can make effective progress in mitigating its climate impact by expeditiously setting 1.5oC-aligned emissions reduction targets for its full value chain.

Constellation Brands lags peers in addressing climate risk. Molson Coors, Heineken, Carlsberg, Diageo, AB InBev, and Rémy Cointreau have all set 1.5oC-aligned reduction targets for their full value chain emissions and validated these targets through the Science Based Targets initiative.9

By setting science-based reduction targets covering its full value chain and disclosing a climate transition plan, Constellation Brands can align with peers and assure investors that it is addressing the operational and regulatory risks associated with climate change.

Supporting statement
SUPPORTING STATEMENT: Proponents suggest, at management discretion, the Company:

Provide a timeline for setting 1.5°C-aligned 2050 and interim targets;

Provide an enterprise-wide climate transition plan to achieve net zero emissions for its full value chain emissions; and

Annually report progress towards meeting value chain emission reduction targets.

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