Staying committed to “Brewing A Better Vietnam”, HEINEKEN Vietnam has made remarkable progress towards realizing the company’s sustainability ambitions in a challenging 2023. With significant milestones achieved, at the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) Ranking 2023 program, the company was recognized among top 3 most sustainable business for the 8th year in a row and named in top 5 pioneering businesses in circularity and decarbonization in 2023 – having sent zero waste to landfill since 2021 and brewing Heineken® with 100% renewable energy in Vietnam.
“It is a great honor for HEINEKEN Vietnam to be recognized among the top 3 most sustainable companies in Vietnam for 8 years in a row. 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,” said Mr. Alexander Koch, Managing Director at HEINEKEN Vietnam. In a challenging 2023, HEINEKEN Vietnam has continued to move closer to the company’s sustainability ambitions across three key paths:
On Path to Zero Impact
HEINEKEN Vietnam is currently running its brewing and production on 96% renewable energy. The company has reduced the total carbon emissions by 87% compared to 2018. Heineken®, one of HEINEKEN Vietnam’s most premium brands, is now being brewed with 100% renewable energy. This means the thermal energy and electricity used in brewing Heineken® products are coming from renewable sources. Towards the future, HEINEKEN Vietnam is also exploring some bolder and more comprehensive renewable electricity solutions, such as the Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPA) and solar energy systems. All 6 HEINEKEN Vietnam breweries are also sending zero waste to landfill – a goal achieved ahead of time as the company has maximized circularity in production.
At the same time, HEINEKEN Vietnam 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 VND30 billion from HEINEKEN Vietnam, this multi-year partnership aims to protect critical watersheds and replenish 3 billion liters of water a year.
On Path to an Inclusive, Fair, and Equitable World
Staying committed to growing together with Vietnam and Vietnamese people, HEINEKEN Vietnam in 2022 alone contributed an equivalence of 1.04% to the country’s total GDP, supported 246,000 jobs throughout the value chain, and dedicated VND11.6 billion to supporting needy communities.
At the workplace, HEINEKEN Vietnam is passionately promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently, three out of six HEINEKEN Vietnam’s breweries are being run by female leaders. The company also stays fully compliant to equal pay and fair living wage.
On Path to Moderation and No Harmful Use
In 2022, HEINEKEN Vietnam dedicated 10% of Heineken® brand’s communication budget to promoting responsible drinking and continued to invest behind Heineken® 0.0. By the end of 2023, the company will be celebrating 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.
Commenting on the achievement of HEINEKEN Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of VCCI and President of VBCSD-VCCI, said: “HEINEKEN Vietnam has made some remarkable progress in transitioning to renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and maximizing circularity during the past year. Staying among the 3 most sustainable businesses in Vietnam for 8 running years, especially in a challenging 2023, is definitely a testament to the strong commitment and continued effort the company is putting into sustainability.”
With increasing challenges in sustainability, HEINEKEN Vietnam is also calling for more collective actions from across industries and sector to maximize the contribution to Vietnam’s sustainable development journey through creative and innovative approaches.
