Brewing a Better World
HEINEKEN Ireland is a leading brewer of premium beers and ciders. Rooted in Cork’s Leitrim Street Brewery for over 160 years, being a green brewer and a sustainable business is critical to HEINEKEN’s next 160 years.
Through its global sustainability roadmap called ‘Brewing a Better World’, HEINEKEN’s sustainability strategy focuses on six pillars to drive positive sustainable change.
HEINEKEN Ireland is a verified member of Origin Green, and the programme provides important external validation to HEINEKEN’s implementation of its ‘Brewing a Better World’ sustainability strategy and a framework to capture sustainability results.
In 2019, HEINEKEN Ireland received the ‘Sustainability Project Impact Award’ at the Bord Bia Food and Drink Awards in recognition of the scale of the positive impact of ‘Brewing a Better World’ which has seen the company deliver a 58% reduction in carbon emissions. Over the past decade, HEINEKEN Ireland has delivered positive and sustainable change in key areas as follows:
‘Drop the C’: reducing CO2 emissions
Over the past decade, Heineken Ireland has reduced CO2 emissions by a staggering 58%, far exceeding the 20% target. The company uses 100% renewable green energy to power its brewery, including electric forklifts and LED efficient lighting.
‘Every drop’: protecting water resources
HEINEKEN Ireland’s Lady’s Well brewery is one of the most water efficient in HEINEKEN’s global network. Over the past decade, it has achieved a 6% reduction in the water needed to produce each litre of beer.
Advocating responsible consumption
HEINEKEN is a market leader in the no and low alcohol market, offering consumers choice. 10% of Heineken’s® media spend is dedicated to campaigns about enjoying Heineken responsibly, such as our ‘when you drink never drive’ campaign.
Sourcing sustainably
100% of its suppliers have signed up to the HEINEKEN Ireland Supplier Code to ensure high standards of integrity and respect for the environment and human rights.
Growing with its communities
As part of its community commitment, HEINEKEN Ireland has contributed €480,000 to 52 community and local causes throughout Ireland.
Promoting Health and Safety
A permanent focus on health and safety throughout the business has reduced accidents by 57% since 2015.
Committed to driving further change in 2020, key sustainability focus areas for HEINEKEN Ireland include further reductions in carbon footprint and packaging waste. Earlier this year HEINEKEN Ireland became a signatory to the all-Ireland pollinator plan for Bio-Diversity and developed an on-site Bio-Diversity garden.
"Origin Green provides a solid framework for capturing the sustainability activity we’ve committed to in our Brewing a Better World sustainability strategy. We welcome the external validation this brings."