Reporting basis and governance of non-financial indicators (continued)
Drop the C: reducing CO2 emissions
O O Qs
Report of the Executive Board
Report of the Supervisory Board
Financial Statements
Sustainability Review
Heineken N.V. Annual Report 20191150
Other Information
Effluent organic load to
surface water (kg COD)
Water stress
Water balancing
This indicator relates to the pollution load of the effluent that is
discharged into surface water from our breweries. This excludes the
wastewater which is treated by third parties. COD stands for Chemical
Oxygen Demand, which is a measure for the pollution of water with
organic material
Water balancing projects
Refers to the ability, or lack thereof, to meet human and ecological
demand for water. Compared to 'water scarcity', 'water stress' is a more
inclusive and broader concept. It considers several physical aspects
related to water resources, including water scarcity, but also water quality,
environmental flows, and the accessibility of water. Every five years, we
assess current and future risks arising from the watersheds in which our
breweries are located. In 2015, we undertook a water risk assessment
with WWF International across our total operational footprint - fully
consolidated as well as Joint Ventures - and on our barley-sourcing areas.
Production sites identified as potentially located in a water-stressed area
need to complete a Source Vulnerability Assessment (SVA). This enables
us to obtain a clear picture of the local water situation, identify relevant
stakeholders and explore the need for activities that increase water
retention or promote the health of ecosystems. The outcomes serve as a
basis for local Source Water Protection Plans, which includes the plans for
water balancing. The outcome of the assessment can also indicate that
water risks are negligible and that no further actions are required
Redressing the balance in water-stressed areas between the amount of
water we source from the watershed and the amount that is not returned
because it is used in our products, and through evaporation. Because
water from a watershed is shared by many, one of the challenges is
mobilising stakeholders, particularly at a government level. To help us,
in February 2015, we entered into a partnership with the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). HEINEKEN and UNIDO
are jointly organising three-day stakeholder engagement workshops
to develop a shared vision on the most important water issues and on
collective efforts needed to redress them in priority locations
Projects that aim to conserve or restore water quantity or quality
in the local watershed and/or improve access to clean water for the
local communities. We consider a balancing project started once
a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with one or
more partners
Carbon footprint
of electrical energy coming
from renewable sources
of thermal energy coming
from renewable sources
CO2 emissions in
production (Scope 1
and 2, GHG Protocol)
CO2 emissions in distribution
(Scope 3, GHG protocol)
CO2 emissions from fridges
(Scope 3, GHG protocol)
Our carbon footprint includes CO2 emissions by all the activities linked
to making and selling our products, through the entire value chain. Our
model incorporates six phases in the life cycle of a beverage: agriculture,
malting and adjuncts, beverage production, packaging, logistics and
cooling. This enables scope 12 and 3 emissions to be included in the
calculation of our carbon footprint
Quantity of renewable electrical energy use (kWh) divided by total
electrical energy use (kWh). Sources can be:
- own renewable production all electricity generated from renewable
resources on-site (wind, solar, biogas)
- imported electricity under green certificates all electricity streams
for which certified green electricity is purchased
Quantity of renewable thermal energy use (MJ) divided by total thermal
energy use (MJ). Sources are: biomass, biogas, solar thermal and
imported heat (with 100% renewable and 0 g CO2/MJ)
This indicator includes CO2-eq emissions caused by:
- direct emissions from combustion of fuels
- indirect emissions from imported heat and electricity
- emissions from refrigerant losses
The reduction in CO2 emissions is being achieved by improving our energy
efficiency for both thermal and electrical energy (as part of our TPM
framework), and by using more renewables and replacing high CO2 fuels
such as fuel oil with lower-emission fuels such as natural gas
This indicator refers to CO2-eq emissions from outbound distribution of
finished goods and returns of empty packaging material. It includes domestic
and export transport by road, rail and sea. Excluded is inbound transport
We focus our actions on reducing the distance we drive, improving fuel
efficiency with our transport partners, switching from road to rail and
water, and using more carbon-efficient vehicles. As the majority of our
transport is outsourced, we work in collaboration with our transport
service providers and also with peer companies, customers, fuel providers,
industry groups and other key stakeholders
This indicator refers to CO2-eq emissions as a result of the electricity used
by beverage fridges (branded and non-branded) invoiced to HEINEKEN
in the reporting year