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LONDON, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

As people around the world prepare to embrace the season of goodwill, Johnnie

Walker announces a special gift for the home of Scotch whisky

The makers of the world's No. 1 Scotch whisky* today announced their vision to

plant one million trees across the four corners of Scotland before 2025. The

announcement comes as part of an ongoing commitment from Johnnie Walker to

reduce its carbon footprint and restore the natural resources it uses when

creating its award-winning range of Scotch whiskies.

Julie Bramham, Global Brand Director for Johnnie Walker, said: "Scotland is our

homeland. It is where our journey began 200 years ago and it's at the heart of

everything that makes our whiskies so special. As we throw open the doors to

the next 200 years of our journey, we want to take positive strides forward to

nourish and protect the wild Scottish landscapes and pristine natural resources

that have shaped our whiskies for generations."

To date, 389,000 of the one million trees have been planted near two of our

distilleries in the Scottish Highlands. Over the lifetime of this project,

these trees are anticipated to absorb over 69,000 tonnes of C02 - the

equivalent of taking 10,500 flights around the world or driving almost half a

million times from London to Edinburgh.

At Ballygowan, near Oban distillery, the investment funded the planting of

native birch, oak, wild cherry, willow and hazel trees and includes a new tree

dedicated to every one of Diageo's 28,000 employees, in partnership with Lupi

Moll, Environmental Entrepreneur and Owner of Inverlonan Estates. At Allt

Ruadh, near Glen Ord distillery, Johnnie Walker has joined forces with Trees

for Life to plant ancient and native trees which will serve as a vital wildlife

corridor and increase habitat availability for species including black grouse,

crossbills and red squirrels.

Steve Micklewright, CEO of Trees for Life, said: "Rewilding is an investment in

a future in which wildlife can flourish and communities can thrive. Johnnie

Walker's contribution to the Trees for Life Allt Ruadh project exemplifies this

approach. Their support recognises the critical part our wild places play in

restoring nature, reversing the climate and biodiversity crises and ultimately

creating a landscape in better health for future generations."

Today's commitment follows the recent announcement from parent company, Diageo,

of its bold and ambitious goals designed to make a positive impact on the world

in the next 10 years, with Johnnie Walker pledging to ensure all production of

its world-famous Scotch is carbon neutral and all distilleries are powered by

100% green energy by 2030.

Julie Bramham continued: "As Diageo announces our renewed 10-year action plan,

I am proud to have Johnnie Walker at the forefront of this. We're always

looking for ways to push the boundaries of Scotch and our approach to these

sustainability goals is no different. We will announce more about the steps

we're taking at Johnnie Walker to create a more sustainable future over the

coming months; our journey towards a better tomorrow is only just beginning...."

For more information on the wider Diageo 2030 sustainability commitments,

please visit: www.diageo.com

For more information on the Johnnie Walker 200th Anniversary story and our

celebratory limited editions, please visit: www.johnniewalker.com

Enjoy Johnnie Walker responsibly.

* IWSR 2020

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Source: JOHNNIE WALKER