60. Chapter 5: Heineken in society There are already some good examples of ways in which we can contribute to the realisation of the MDGs. One example, is our involvement with small sorghum growers in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, a partnership between Heineken and the Winrock Foundation; others include our involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention in parts of Nigeria and the maternal health services we provide for our employees and their direct dependants. There are, however, limitations to what we can do, and there must also be a credible business case for us to become involved. Only then, can we sustain our efforts in line with the mandate we have from our shareholders. Economic and social impact Our business philosophy is clear: when volume and market circumstances are favourable, we produce our beers locally. Implicit in this approach is a recognition of the fact that in all our major markets, we are part of an extensive value chain, from producers of raw materials right through to retailers. Studies carried out in technologically advanced markets in Western Europe indicate that for every employee in a brewery there are between ten and fifteen other people employed by suppliers and customers in the value chain. Recent investigations, supported by organisations such as Oxfam in cooperation with other companies, have demonstrated that indirect employment generated by the activities of multi national enterprises in developing countries is even higher than in mature markets. Apart from indirect employment, our operations provide other direct and indirect benefits for local communities. These include tax revenues (amongst others through beer excise duties), value creation through the supply and demand chain and operating company investments. Of course, our operations can also have negative economic impacts - for example, depletion of natural resources and waste emissions. In addition to the economic benefits outlined above, our operations also generate social benefits and costs. Social impacts are often assumed to be synonymous with economic impacts; however, while economic analysis can be considered as one part of social analysis, economic impact analysis addresses how efficiently investments of capital and other resources are returned in present and future benefits to society (i.e. whether the economic benefits of an action or policy outweigh the costs). Economic impact analysis focuses on resource supply and demand, prices, and jobs. Though social and economic impact assessments overlap and are related, they differ considerably in their focus and in the underlying questions, methods, and approaches they entail. Heineken N.V. - 2004/2005 Sustainability Report

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Heineken - Milieuverslag | 2004 | | pagina 62