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i Q Water balancing in
water-stressed areas
129
Every Drop - protecting water resources
Looking ahead:
Our 2020
commitment:
Our 2020
result:
Local water balancing initiatives
Heineken N.V.
Annual Report 2020
Introduction
Report of the
Executive Board
Report of the
Supervisory Board
Financial
Statements
Sustainability
Review
Other
Information
Aim for
significant water
balancing by
our production
units in water-
scarce and
water- stressed
Our contribution
to the SDGs:
6.6
Protect and restore
water-related
ecosystems
We are committed to balancing the water we use
in water-stressed areas. This means designing
projects to replenish the water that goes into our
products and leaves the local water cycle.
Water balancing projects can range from
nature-based solutions, like restoring wetlands
and reforestation, to socially-focused projects
such as repairing infrastructure to reduce water
leakage and enabling farmers to use less water.
Projects are enabled through public private
partnerships with local governments, NGOs,
academia and communities.
By the end of 2020, 19 of the 24 production
units in scope had started water balancing
projects (2019: 15). 10 sites in Mexico, Spain
and Egypt have replenished more water in
the respective watersheds than their annual
beverage production volume. For measuring
the outcomes and impacts of water balancing,
we use the Volumetric Water Benefit
Accounting standard, launched by the World
Resources Institute in 2019.
Each watershed is unique and it takes time
to identify the right projects and partners
to address its vulnerabilities. It can be more
challenging to identify and form joint actions
and collective platforms in some locations
than others.
Five sites - three in Tunisia, one in Algeria
and one in Nigeria - have not started water
balancing projects.
Barley used for our beers in Egypt is sourced locally and needs irrigation to grow. Since 2015,
our team has been working with farmers and research partners to develop and adopt
sustainable agriculture practices. By increasing crop yields and reducing the need for
irrigation, the water demand per hectare has significantly decreased over the years.
In addition to the sustainable barley cultivation project, our team worked with the local
government and a technical partner to improve local water infrastructures to reduce water
leakages/non revenue water. The impact of these two projects have enabled three sites in
Egypt to restore more water to its watershed than the total beverage volume produced.
Engagement with local stakeholders is key
to improve our understanding of the local
challenges. We are committed to establishing
water balancing projects in these areas.
Our breweries continued to have a significant
positive impact on local watersheds.
- In Indonesia, efforts to protect the
watershed health of the Brantas and
Cisadane will be accelerated through a
new multi-stakeholder partnership, the
Indonesia Water Coalition. Members include
local and international NGOs and six
other multinational companies aiming to
promote water security in Indonesia.
- In Ethiopia, we are working with
World Vision International to develop
a programme that will protect the
environment and improve local livelihoods.
- In Nigeria, we signed an agreement with
the Government of Ogun State in Nigeria
to carry out water balancing through
reforestation at the Olokemeji Forest.
Learn more about this topic on our website
More than 100% water balanced in Egypt
Our efforts to protect the health of
watersheds through collective action will
continue and be further supported through
the Water Resilience Coalition.
