Heineken to be inaugural participant in United Nations Global Compact LEAD

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During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jean-Fran?ois van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Heineken NV, joined United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and CEOs of other leading international companies for the launch of Global Compact LEAD.
This new platform created by the UN Global Compact has been established to set a new benchmark for corporate sustainability.
Heineken is one of 54 companies, invited by the UN to make a commitment to work towards implementation of the ‘Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership’ a roadmap of actions to achieve greater sustainability.
“Heineken is proud to have been asked to be one of the inaugural Global Compact LEAD participants,” said Jean-Fran?ois van Boxmeer. “It underlines our commitment to sustainability and provides us with additional tools, benchmarks and networks that will support the delivery of our ‘Brewing a Better Future’ sustainability strategy around the world.”
In his remarks to the group, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “From the beginning, the Global Compact has been driven by business leaders willing to move beyond the status quo. Through Global Compact LEAD, you can help guide the way to the level of sustainability performance our world requires from business today.”
About Brewing a Better Future
‘Brewing a Better Future’ is Heineken’s long-term sustainability initiative. The 23 integrated programmes that make up the initiative focus on improving the environmental impact of Heineken’s brands and business, empowering people and the communities in which Heineken operates and positively impacting the role of beer in society. Amongst the commitments Heineken has made as part of its approach to sustainability are:
•by 2020 a reduction of specific direct and indirect CO2 emissions in breweries by at least 40% and a reduction in specific water consumption by at least 25%;
•to expand to €20 million the funding for the Heineken Africa Foundation;
•to expand the local sourcing of raw materials in Africa to 60% by 2020;
•the continuous reduction of our CO2 footprint of our brands;
•by 2015 ensuring that all markets have a partnership that help the company play its part in reducing alcohol abuse;
•by 2015 for every majority-owned business to have a sustainability plan and to report publicly on its progress and commitment.