HEINEKEN Vietnam has made remarkable progress towards realising the company’s sustainability ambitions after a challenging couple of years.
During a Corporate Sustainability Index ranking event in December, the company was recognised among the top three most sustainable businesses for the eighth year in a row. It was also named in the top five pioneering businesses in circularity and decarbonisation in 2023 – sending zero waste to landfill since 2021, and brewing Heineken with 100 per cent renewable energy in Vietnam.
Alexander Koch, managing director of HEINEKEN Vietnam said, “It is a great honour for us to be recognised among the top three most sustainable companies in Vietnam again. Sustainability has always been central to how we brew, promote, and sell our beers. It is the way we run our business and stay close to the local community – in both good and challenging times.”
Over recent times, the company continued action towards its sustainability ambitions across three key paths. The first involves making zero impact on the environment, with it currently running brewing and production on 96 per cent renewable energy.
In 2023, it reduced its total carbon emissions by 87 per cent compared to 2018, and premium brand Heineken is now being brewed with 100 per cent renewable energy. This means the thermal energy and electricity used in brewing the products are coming from renewable sources.
The company is also exploring more comprehensive renewable electricity solutions, such as through direct power purchase agreements and solar energy systems. All six HEINEKEN Vietnam breweries are also sending zero waste to landfill – a goal achieved ahead of time as the company has maximised circularity in production.
At the same time, the company continues to roll out water conserving efforts in the Red River, Dong Nai River, and Tien River basins in collaboration with WWF-Vietnam and partners. With a total investment of $1.25 million from HEINEKEN Vietnam, this multi-year partnership aims to protect critical watersheds and replenish three billion litres of water a year.
Secondly, staying committed to growing together with Vietnam and its people, HEINEKEN Vietnam in 2022 alone contributed an equivalence of 1.04 per cent to the country’s total GDP, supported 246,000 jobs throughout the value chain, and dedicated $483,000 to supporting needy communities.
At the workplace, HEINEKEN Vietnam is passionately promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently, three of its six breweries are being run by female leaders. The company also stays fully compliant to equal pay and a fair living wage.
In terms of the third path on moderation, in 2022 the company dedicated 10 per cent of the Heineken brand’s communication budget to promoting responsible drinking and continued to invest in Heineken 0.0.
At the end of 2023, the company celebrated its 13 years of partnership with the National Traffic Safety Committee, through which a range of “When you drive, never drink” initiatives have been carried out over the years.
With increasing challenges in sustainability, HEINEKEN Vietnam is also calling for more collective actions from across industries and sectors to maximise the contribution to Vietnam’s sustainable development journey through creative and innovative approaches.
