Heineken President Western-Europe, Didier Debrosse, highlights progress being made on company's 'Brewing a Better Future' 2020 sustainability goals

Focuses on CO2 and Water reduction at annual European Food and Drink Industry conference
 

Brussels, 19 November 2010. Today during the annual European food and drink industry's CIAA conference, Mr. Didier Debrosse, Regional President Heineken Western Europe, highlighted the progress being made to achieve the company's 'Brewing a Better Future' targets.  These encompass reducing direct and indirect CO2 emissions in its breweries by at least 40% and water consumption by at least 25% by 2020.  He also provided an update on implementing sustainable agriculture practices in both developed as well as developing markets.

Mr. Debrosse said: "Sustainability is a journey for us. A journey with both global as well as local initiatives. On one level, in Sierra Leone we introduced a sustainable agricultural sorghum project that is helping to alleviate poverty in the country. This project was recently recognised with a World Business Development Award.  While on another level we have reduced road transport by 100,000 trucks annually and are reducing CO2 emission by 35% in the Netherlands by using an in-land shipping terminal to transport our export-beer to the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp."

He added: "Brewing a Better Future and the actions that it is stimulating will have a positive environmental impact and will help to make us a better, stronger, and more competitive company around the world."

A key focus area for Heineken's 'Brewing a Better Future' sustainability programme is the continuous improvement of its environmental impact. In addition to the reduction of direct and indirect CO2 emissions in its breweries and water consumption, Heineken has also put in place initiatives that will reduce the carbon footprint in the whole value chain. Some recent examples of progress are:

• the replacement fridges issued to customers that will be based on 'green' technology;
• the investment in new brewing technology in Seville, Spain, leading to a 40% reduction in water consumption, making it one of the most efficient breweries in the world in terms of water consumption.
• the development of a CO2 neutral brewery in Austria.

In its total value chain Heineken has identified the drivers for impact, and is addressing these in dedicated programmes on for instance packaging, cooling and distribution.

A total of 23 separate programmes support the strategic focus areas of Heineken's sustainability agenda. Each programme has its own ambition, targets and actions and, over the coming 10 years, each will be implemented across the business.
 

About Brewing a Better Future
Heineken's sustainability strategy for 2020 is formulated in the company's 'Brewing a Better Future' ambition. Our integrated programmes focus on improving the environmental impact of our brands and business, empowering our people and the communities in which we operate and positively impacting the role of beer in society. For more information on the programmes, please visit: www.heinekeninternational.com/sustainability

Heineken is a member of the UN Global Compact and endorses the UN CEO Water Mandate. 

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Editorial information:
Heineken is one of the world's great brewers and is committed to growth and remaining independent. The brand that bears the founder's family name - Heineken - is available in almost every country on the globe and is the world's most valuable international premium beer brand.  The Company's aim is to be a leading brewer in each of the markets in which it operates and to have the world's most valuable brand portfolio. The Company operates 140 breweries in more than 70 countries and sold 165.7 million hectolitres of beer on a 2009 pro-forma basis. Heineken is Europe's largest brewer and the world's third largest by volume. Heineken is committed to the responsible marketing and consumption of its more than 200 international premium, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. These include Amstel, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Dos Equis, Foster's, Kingfisher, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol Star, Strongbow, Tecate, Tiger and Zywiec. On a 2009 pro-forma basis, including FEMSA's beer businesses, revenue totalled €16.9 billion and EBIT (beia) was €2.3 billion. The average number of people employed is more than 75,000. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares are listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on the Reuter Equities 2000 Service under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. Most recent information is available on Heineken's home page: http://www.heinekeninternational.com.