The drinks industry is facing escalating climate pressures: disrupted harvests, water scarcity and increasingly fragile supply chains. Retailers, investors and consumers now expect credible ESG performance, not marketing claims. ESG has, therefore, become a commercial and operational imperative.
In response, we’ve completely reengineered our Global Drinks Intel ESG Awards to deliver recognition that carries real commercial weight.
Producer Awards: to recognise whole company ESG performance.
Initiative Awards: to celebrate specific ESG projects.
Retailer Awards: for grocery/offtrade and hospitality/ontrade companies.
producer and retailer categories now distinguish between large companies and small/independent businesses ensuring progress is recognised relative to scale.
producer categories have been expanded to include beer, cider, no/low alcohol and RTD companies.
We ensure genuine leadership is recognised. Entries are assessed on verified evidence, with unsubstantiated claims challenged. Our independent panel of both ESG and industry experts evaluates measurable progress over the past 12 months. This ensures that a GDI ESG Award stands as a trusted mark of commercial strength.
Thank you for considering our ESG Awards.”
COO & Marketing Director
Kate Wake-Walker
Head of Judges
Rosie Davenport
13 April 2026
16 October 2026
5 November 2026
16 December 2026
