HEINEKEN Vietnam honoured as most sustainable company in Vietnam

HEINEKEN Vietnam was crowned as the most sustainable company in Vietnam once again

On November 23, 2018, HEINEKEN Vietnam has been recognised as the most sustainable company in Vietnam (in the manufacturing sector) for the second consecutive year. This honour, presented at the Awarding Ceremony in Hanoi of the Programme on Benchmarking and Announcing Sustainable Companies in Vietnam 2018, marks the third year HEINEKEN Vietnam has been named in the top three since the programme’s launch in 2016.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, chairman of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc, and other government officials from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), other government agencies, and nearly 400 representatives from national and international organisations, the business community, and the media.

This highly-anticipated event is part of the Programme on Benchmarking and Ranking Sustainable Companies in Vietnam, initiated by the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), under the guidance of VCCI, since 2016. To promote sustainable development within the Vietnamese business community, the programme uses the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) as a base criteria for ranking and celebrating the most sustainable companies in Vietnam. These are the organisations with the most significant contribution to supporting the National Sustainability Agenda and the United Nations’ SDGs in Vietnam.

Winners of the awards ceremony for sustainable companies in Vietnam in 2018

This year, the CSI was further aligned with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and other international practices. The CSI can be applied by any member of the business community, regardless of their scale or sector, and is a form of sustainability reporting. The Programme on Benchmarking and Ranking Sustainable Companies in Vietnam and the CSI stems from Resolution No. 19-2018/NQ-CP which is aimed at continuously improving business climate and enhancing national productivity and competitiveness.

This year’s programme received almost 500 applications from the business community. Despite the significantly higher number of applications this year, HEINEKEN Vietnam maintained its position as the most sustainable manufacturing company in Vietnam. HEINEKEN was also recognised on stage as one of the few organisations awarded in the top ten for three consecutive years of the CSI since its launch in 2016.

Matt Wilson, corporate affairs director of HEINEKEN Vietnam, said: “Being awarded as the most sustainable manufacturing company in Vietnam for the second consecutive year is such a wonderful honour for everyone at HEINEKEN Vietnam. It is also a great challenge for us to uphold this high standard and raise the bar further, but we are up for the challenge. We want to continue to push ourselves and inspire other businesses in Vietnam to create more sustainable value in Vietnam. We believe that with the significant support of the Vietnamese government and increasing dedication by members of the business community, together we can build a better future for Vietnam.”

HEINEKEN Vietnam has been in the top 10 in all three years since the CSI was launched

Both HEINEKEN’s global and local Vietnamese sustainability strategy are designed to support the United Nations’ SDGs. HEINEKEN’s approach covers their entire value chain from manufacturing to distribution to consumption. HEINEKEN Vietnam’s sustainability strategy focuses on six key areas and supports the implementation of eight out of 17 SDGs, where the company believes it can have the greatest impact in Vietnam: Advocating Responsible Consumption, Promoting Health and Safety, Protecting Water Resources, Reducing CO2 Emissions, Growing with Communities, and Sourcing Sustainably.

One of HEINEKEN Vietnam’s major focuses in Vietnam has been to promote responsible consumption through its major brands. Last year HEINEKEN Vietnam invested VND16 billion ($695,700) and reached more than 10 million Heineken & Tiger fans with responsible drinking initiatives.

HEINEKEN Vietnam contributed to protecting the planet by using renewable energy, reducing water consumption, and moving towards zero waste to landfill in production. HEINEKEN Vietnam’s breweries are the most water efficient across HEINEKEN Asia-Pacific Region. 99 per cent of its waste and by-products from production are reused or recycled – creating virtually zero waste from production. In terms of economic impact, HEINEKEN Vietnam contributed 0.88 per cent of Vietnam’s total GDP and supported 158,000 jobs in 2017, both directly through its operations and indirectly through its value chain in Vietnam.

HEINEKEN Vietnam is also committed to working with both the Vietnamese government and other members of the business community in Vietnam to further encourage sustainable development. At the National Conference on Sustainable Development 2018 held earlier this year in Hanoi and chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, HEINEKEN Vietnam was recognised by representatives from the government and the business community as an excellent example of implementing innovative sustainability initiatives, enhancing competitiveness and providing long-term socio-economic benefits in Vietnam.

HEINEKEN Vietnam is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN, one of the world’s leading international brewers. Originated in the Netherlands, this family-owned business with a history of over 150 years, brews and distributes over 250 beer and cider brands in more than 180 countries.

In Vietnam, HEINEKEN produces and distributes Heineken, Tiger, Amstel, Larue, BIVINA, Desperados, Affligem, and Strongbow cider. HEINEKEN has six breweries across Vietnam, in Hanoi, Danang, Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, and Tien Giang.