Previous involvement with Burma

From Dec 2018 to Feb 2021 Kirin appeared on Burma Campaign UK's 'Dirty List' of companies assisting the Burmese military to continue to commit human rights violations and environmental destruction. In Burma Kirin was in a joint venture, Myanmar Breweries, with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, which is controlled by and for the benefit of the military. This subsidiary has also donated money to the Burmese military. Kirin announced they would end their relationship with the Myanmar military after it staged a coup in Feb 2021.

Source: Burma Campaign UK (2021)

49.8% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2012

This company received a score of 49.8/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2012, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on their environmental footprint, management (policies, programs, initiatives, controversies) and reporting practices, using data from Trucost and Sustainalytics.

Source: Newsweek (2012)

Climate action commitments

As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to 100% renewable power.

Source: We Mean Business (2021)

FSC certification

This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.

Source: FSC (2023)

IARD member

This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.

Source: IARD (2021)

UN Global Compact participant

The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.

Source: UN Global Compact (2020)

CSV claims

This company has Creating Shared Value claims on its website

Source: company website (2015)

22.7% in Human Rights Benchmark

The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 22.7%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.

Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2022)

Alcohol - direct involvement

Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.

Source: company website (2020)

Genetic Engineering & Animal Rights

USA biotech company Hematech Inc. genetically modify cattle for human antibody production. Hematech was previously a subsidiary of Kirin's pharmaceutical division (Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co) until Dec 2012 when it was acquired by Sanford Health and rebranded Sanford Applied Biosciences, LLC.

Source: company website (2012)

35% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark

The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #38/350, with a total score of 35/100.

Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2023)