Named to the Climate Performance Leadership Index and signs Climate Declaration

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Brown-Forman (NYSE: BFA) (NYSE: BFB) has been named to the Climate Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) for its approach to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the risks of climate change. The company received a distinguished disclosure score of 93 and an “A” performance rating.

Brown-Forman also announced today that it has signed the Ceres’ Climate Declaration, a business-backed effort to seize the economic opportunity of addressing climate change through stronger climate policies. Brown-Forman joins nearly 700 signatories, including General Motors, Owens Corning, Intel, Microsoft, VF Corporation and other leaders.

“We applaud Brown-Forman’s leadership in making the critical connection between its long-term success and the need to tackle climate change,” said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, which launched the Climate Declaration in the spring. “We are delighted that Brown-Forman is the first Kentucky-based major company to sign the Declaration and welcome others to join as well.”

Brown-Forman’s “A” rating was announced in September in the CDP S&P 500 Climate Change Report 2013. The annual index highlights companies listed on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500) that have strong strategies for reducing their impact on the environment. The CPLI is based on a number of criteria associated with measuring, verifying and managing carbon footprints. Thirty-six S&P 500 companies are featured in the 2013 CPLI.

Brown-Forman was one of only five companies in the S&P 500 consumer staples sector to be recognized in the leadership group. The CDP Report recognized Brown-Forman’s visionary strategy that competitively positions the company to become a “resilient organization with sustainable growth in emerging and existing markets, with business continuity mechanisms well aligned with risks and opportunities arising from climate change.”

“Brown-Forman is honored to be recognized as a leader in climate performance through our global sustainability initiatives and to get behind the Climate Declaration. It aligns with our commitment to responsibly managing our environmental footprint as we grow our business. We are learning from our progress and looking to expand our efforts and to set more ambitious goals,” said Jane Morreau, Brown-Forman’s Senior Vice President, Chief Production Officer and Head of Information Technology.

Climate Declaration

Tackling climate change is one of America’s greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century (and it’s simply the right thing to do). What made America great was taking a stand. Doing the things that are hard. And seizing opportunities. The very foundation of our country is based on fighting for our freedoms and ensuring the health and prosperity of our state, our community, and our families. Today those things are threatened by a changing climate that most scientists agree is being caused by air pollution. We cannot risk our kids’ futures on the false hope that the vast majority of scientists are wrong. But just as America rose to the great challenges of the past and came out stronger than ever, we have to confront this challenge, and we have to win. And in doing this right, by saving money when we use less electricity, by driving a more efficient car, by choosing clean energy, by inventing new technologies that other countries buy, and creating jobs here at home, we will maintain our way of life and remain a true superpower in a competitive world. In order to make this happen, however, there must be a coordinated effort to combat climate change—with America taking the lead here at home. Leading is what we’ve always done. And by working together, regardless of politics, we’ll do it again.

About Brown-Forman

For more than 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Canadian Mist, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, New Mix, Tuaca, and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide. For more information about the company’s corporate responsibility efforts, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/responsibility.

About Ceres

Ceres is a non-profit organization mobilizing business and investor leadership on climate change, water scarcity and other sustainability challenges. Ceres directs Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP), an advocacy coalition of companies committed to working with policymakers to pass meaningful energy and climate legislation. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a network of 100 institutional investors with collective assets totalling more than $11 trillion. For more information, visit www.ceres.org or follow us @CeresNews.

About CDP

CDP is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 722 institutional investors with assets of US$87 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions. Please visit www.cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.

Brown-Forman Corporation
Phil Lynch, 502-774-7928
Vice President
Director Corporate Communications and Public Relations
or
Jay Koval, 502-774-6903
Vice President
Director Investor Relations

Source: Brown-Forman Corporation