The bar chart below shows the average Eco Care
Indicator scores per region and subject.
The results of the Eco Care Indicator are used for
internal benchmarking, demonstrating the relative
score of our production units on environmental
sustainability and showing how their performance
can be improved.
Sustainable farming
In our ten-year vision for raw materials use, we
have stated the objective that a large part of our
raw materials should be grown in a sustainable
manner. After having exchanged ideas with various
stakeholders (amongst others some leading NGOs
in this area) about a possible approach, we have
drawn up a concrete plan. This plan covers a three-
year period 2003 - 2005 to carry out research into
the practical opportunities offered by sustainable
barley farming; to be followed up by periods
devoted to scaling-up and implementation. This
project refers to 'sustainable barley farming' and
not 'sustainable barley' because it is impossible to
regard barley as a separate crop in a system of
crop rotation on the same soil.
With the enthusiastic participation of 10 barley
farmers and a number of advisers, Heineken has
developed a system that allows measurements to
be made on the basis of internationally accepted
sustainability indicators. The results provide a
means for control and development of sustainable
agriculture at individual farms. The situation at the
farms at the start of the project in 2003 has been
determined through a zero measurement, while the
direction of control for the various indicators has
been determined together with the farmers so as
to create a more sustainable situation.
In 2004, a plan was drafted and implemented by
all participating barley farmers to move towards
sustainability. Measurements made in the course
of 2004 revealed possible effects, which, after
evaluation, have been added to the sustainability
plan drafted and implemented in 2005. The
participating growers were supplied with any
information considered necessary to enable them
to develop their farms along the road towards
sustainability. The farmers' autonomy has been
fully respected throughout the process.
The participating barley farmers have familiarised
themselves with the concept of sustainability. The
third year was crucial in terms of key decision
making and adjustment of business operations.
During this year, plans were finalised in detail (soil
management, product value and crop protection),
and all farmers extended their cropping plans to
increase sustainability. The first calculations show
that more than half of the farms will remain at
least at the same level of income when using
a sustainable cropping plan.
Eco Care Indicator
average score per region
100
Total score on Eco Care 1. Eco Management
score
2. Renewable energy
score
3. Air emissions
score
4. Water and waste 5. Residual materials
water score score
World
Western Europe
1 Central Eastern Europe Americas Africa Middle East Asia-Pacific
Heineken N.V.
- 2004/2005 Sustainability Report