Heineken has announced its ambition to become carbon neutral by 2040, becoming the first global brewer to set this target.
This announcement is the first in a series of refreshed 'Brewing a Better World' ambitions by the drinks company, which underpin its new EverGreen growth strategy.
Carbon Neutral
Heineken is aiming for all of its production sites to become carbon neutral by maximising energy efficiency and increasing reliance on renewable energy use by 2030.
The brewer will work closely with suppliers to cut emissions by 30% by 2030 across its entire value chain, from a 2018 baseline.
The company is taking a science-based approach by working closely with the SBTi to validate its new commitment.
Since 2008, the group has reduced carbon emissions per hectoliter in its breweries by 51%.
As well as that, the company has implemented over 130 renewable energy projects, including five of the world’s 10 largest on-site solar-powered breweries, since it made a commitment to rely on renewable sources of energy in 2018.
Renewable Energy Projects
Heineken has undertaken a number of renewable energy projects in operation across the world, such as in Finland, where it has partnered with another group to build a wind farm that will inject renewable electricity in the European grid supplying 13 of its operating companies.
To help reach its carbon neutrality goals, the company is supporting a pilot of 500 low-carbon farming projects in eight countries, as well as shifting to zero-emission breweries in Spain and Austria.
To mark the announcement, Heineken has projected its commitments to the world outside the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
