Heineken ‘retires’ a third of sustainability goals and steps up on water

Dutch brewer “sharpens focus” and emphasises the role of collaboration in fulfilling its remaining ambitions

Heineken has become the latest company to overhaul its 2030 sustainability strategy, in a move that sees it reduce its targets and strengthen its efforts on water.  

The Dutch brewer announced this week that it had “retired” a third of its sustainability goals, and cut its “ambition areas” from nine to seven in a bid to “sharpen” its focus. 

Its report revealed that 92% of its carbon footprint comes from Scope 3 emissions, which it plans to reduce by 26% by the end of the decade.  

But the firm said it “can’t do this alone” and is emphasising the role of collaboration in its new sustainability strategy. 

It said it would partner with suppliers and peers, as well as working to “influence public policy”. 

Heineken retained its aim to become net zero across its own operations (Scope 1 and 2) by the end of the decade, stating it had already reduced absolute emissions by 34%, compared with 2022.  

It also revealed it had achieved its goal of treating 100% of wastewater from all its breweries, and has bolstered its commitment to reduce its average water usage. 

The target was previously to bring consumption down to 2.6hl/hl in water-stressed areas, and 2.9hl/hl globally. Now, it is aiming for 2.4 hl/hl and 2.6 hl/hl, respectively.