Drinks company Heineken has announced that it has already surpassed its 2020 target for CO2 emissions in production – three years ahead of schedule.
The firm made the announcement in its 2017 Financial and Sustainability Report, published yesterday.
Heineken said that it has achieved a CO2 level of 6.1 kg CO2 e/hl, down from 6.5 kg CO2 e/hl in 2016. This marks a 41% decline in CO2 emissions since 2008.
Emissions decreased in absolute terms as well, the company said. While production volumes were 57% higher in 2017 than in 2008, emissions were 7% lower.
In addition, global average water consumption at he company has decreased by 29% compared to 2008 – the baseline year for the company’s 2020 commitments.
Raw Materials
Elsewhere, 28% of the main raw materials used by the company came from sustainable sources last year, up from 17% in 2016, with 42% of the company’s agricultural raw materials used in Africa and the Middle East sourced locally.
‘However, there is more to be done in sourcing agricultural raw materials used in Africa after challenging economic conditions impacted the ability to source locally within the continent,’ the company said in a statement.
In addition 10% of total Heineken media spend was dedicated to responsible-consumption campaigns, including a high-profile campaign headed up by former Formula 1 world champion Jackie Stewart.
Drop The C
Last week, Heineken announced a new strategy to reduce carbon emissions yet further, with its ‘Drop the C’ campaign.
With this initiative, the company aims to grow its share of renewable thermal energy and electricity in production from the current level of 14% to 70% by 2030.
"With all the good progress made in reducing our CO2 emissions, now is the right time to set ourselves new targets,” said Heineken chief executive Jean-François van Boxmeer.
“When I visit our breweries, I want to see that we are brewing with real green energy, and that we are not achieving our reduction targets by buying unbundled certificates."
Heineken posted a 5% increase in revenue in full-year 2017, according to its latest results.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
