The worldwide recession is forcing businesses, governments and consumers alike to reconsider their priorities. At Heineken, we have been through this process and alongside the critical business and financial priorities we have identified, we have said that we will not compromise our journey to create a stronger more sustainable company. Our approach to sustainability is straightforward and embedded in our long-held Company values: Passion for Quality, the Responsible Enjoyment of our brands and Respect for the environment, for people and for our obligations to create a better world. This leads us to focus on seven areas: energy, water, safety, agriculture, supply chain responsibility, responsible beer consumption and our impact on developing markets. This ensures that we address our material risks, our impacts on people and the planet and it enables us to influence our future. As always, we are honest in recognising that we cannot focus to the same degree on every aspect of sustainability. External stakeholder feedback indicates that so far, we have been on the right track. Our continued leadership of the beverages sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index series, as well as our ongoing inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index and many other sustainable investment portfolios, strengthens this belief. In 2009, we will re-define our sustainability goals for the longer term. These goals will be shaped in a dialogue with key stakeholders and will guide our approach in the coming years. Whatever the specifics of any change, the principles of the UN Global Compact1 remain fully integrated in our approach. For the immediate future, the financial sustainability of our business will feature prominently, as the global economic downturn impacts the industry. Against this backdrop, we intend to maintain our long-term commitment to the overall sustainability of our Company, as this is the basis for successful operations beyond a one- or two-year horizon. A key part in this is the work we do with the industry and as Heineken to promote the responsible consumption of our brands. During the year, we made a significant step forward in this regard. As Heineken, we implemented a series of concrete international actions to develop our Enjoy Heineken Responsibly platform. These included responsibility messaging on our key local and regional brands and the formation of responsibility partnerships in more than 30 markets. In particular, we were pleased to set new standards through the creation of the world's first international, interactive online responsibility campaign 'Know the Signs'. These initiatives have been underpinned by our continued support of industry action at local and regional level. We undertake these actions for two reasons. Firstly, because we believe that alongside all other stakeholders we have a responsibility to play our part in reducing alcohol-related harm. Secondly, because we strongly believe that beer is a legitimate, enjoyable part of a balanced lifestyle. We are also clear about our responsibilities with regard to health and safety. Last year, we committed to improving the performance in this area. Although the total number of fatalities in 2008 was lower than in 2007, any fatality is one too many and we offer our condolences to the families and friends of the two employees and three contractors, who died in accidents on our sites in 2008. As we look ahead, there is much for us to do. I would therefore ask for and welcome your continued feedback on our activities. Jean-Frangois van Boxmeer Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO Amsterdam, 8 April 2009 1 The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and integrity. HEINEKEN N.V. SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2008 01

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Heineken - Milieuverslag | 2008 | | pagina 3