HEINEKEN Vietnam continues to cave a spot among Top 3 most sustainable businesses

At the 2023 Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) Rankings awards ceremony on December 13, the company was recognised among the 3 most sustainable businesses for the eighth year in a row, and named in the Top 5 pioneering businesses in terms of circularity and decarbonisation in 2023 – it has sent zero waste to landfill since 2021 and brews Heineken with renewable energy in Vietnam.

Alexander Koch, managing director of HEINEKEN Vietnam said, “It is a great honour for HEINEKEN Vietnam. Sustainability has always been central to how we brew, promote, and sell our beers. It is the way we run our business, as we stay close to the local community – in both good times and in bad.”

In a difficult 2023, HEINEKEN Vietnam has continued to move closer to the company’s sustainability ambitions across three key paths:

On the path to zero impact

HEINEKEN Vietnam is currently running its brewing and production on 96 per cent renewable energy.

The company has reduced its total carbon emissions by 87 per cent compared to 2018.

Heineken®, one of HEINEKEN Vietnam’s most premium brands, is now being brewed totally with renewable energy, meaning the thermal energy and electricity used in brewing Heineken® products comes from completely sustainable sources.

Looking to the future, the company is also exploring some bolder and more comprehensive renewable electricity solutions, such as 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 its 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 its partners.

With a total investment of nearly $1.3 million from HEINEKEN Vietnam, this multi-year partnership aims to protect critical watersheds and replenish three billion litres of water a year.

On the path to an inclusive, fair, and equitable world

Staying committed to growing together with Vietnam and the Vietnamese people, in 2022 alone, HEINEKEN Vietnam contributed an equivalence of 1.04 per cent to the country’s total GDP, supported 246,000 jobs throughout the value chain, and dedicated VND11.6 billion ($489,000) to supporting needy communities.

In 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 standards.

On the path to moderation and no harmful use

In 2022, HEINEKEN Vietnam dedicated 10 per cent of the Heineken® brand’s communication budget to promoting responsible drinking and continued to invest in 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 achievements of HEINEKEN Vietnam, Nguyen Quang Vinh, vice chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and chairman of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development-VCCI said, “HEINEKEN Vietnam has made some remarkable progress in transitioning to renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and maximising circularity over the past year. Staying among the Top 3 most sustainable businesses in Vietnam for eight years running, especially in a challenging 2023, is definitely a testament to the strong commitment and continued efforts the company is putting into sustainability.”

With the increasing hurdles of sustainability, HEINEKEN Vietnam is also calling for more collective actions across industries and sectors to maximise the contribution to Vietnam’s sustainable development journey through creative and innovative approaches.

Sustainability can be a net positive for businesses Experts across a raft of sectors have agreed that while sustainable development demands substantial initial capital, it is essential to recognise it not as an expense, but an investment in the future.

Three concepts for developing a sustainable factory While investing in sustainable factories requires significant capital, it is considered an irreversible journey that promises long-term benefits for both the economy and the environment.

Honouring sustainable businesses in Vietnam in 2023 About 100 businesses with important contributions to sustainable development goals were honoured at the 2023 Announcement Ceremony of Sustainable Businesses in Vietnam on December 13.