Recognition for brewer’s outstanding track record in environmental and social sustainability initiatives
18 August 2022 – Heineken Malaysia Berhad’s (HEINEKEN Malaysia) commitment to environmental and social sustainability has received recognition from the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2022 for the fifth year since 2017. The brewer was recognised as Company of the Year for Environmental Sustainability & Social Initiatives and also received the Long-Standing Excellence in Sustainability Award, in recognition of its continued sustainability commitment and consistent efforts in giving back to society for many years through its various initiatives.
Commenting on the achievement, Roland Bala, HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Managing Director said, “It is an honour to receive this recognition once again. This year’s double win demonstrates HEINEKEN Malaysia’s bold commitment to creating a positive impact in Malaysia. As a responsible and progressive brewer, our global Brew a Better World sustainability strategy ensures we do the right things to protect the environment, grow with our people and communities around us, as well as advocate responsible consumption. We will continue to be guided by our purpose to Brew the Joy of True Togetherness to Inspire a Better World.”
Environmental Sustainability
On environmental sustainability, HEINEKEN Malaysia has an ambitious commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions in production by 2030 and across its value chain by 2040. As of June 2022, the brewer has reduced its carbon emissions in production by 19%, compared with its 2018 baseline.
Since March 2022, HEINEKEN Malaysia has transitioned to renewable electricity via the Malaysian Renewable Electricity Certificate (mREC) programme. Accounting for the period before March 2022, it is estimated that 75% of electricity consumption at HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Sungei Way Brewery in Petaling Jaya will be from renewable sources in 2022. Additionally, on-site renewable electricity generation (solar photovoltaic) installation is underway with target completion in Q1 2023. Since 2017, the brewer has also achieved zero waste to landfill by recycling and upcycling 100% of its by-products and production waste. As a result of these initiatives, HEINEKEN Malaysia expects to reduce 86% of carbon emissions in production by 2025, keeping it on track to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Corporate Affairs & Legal Director, Renuka Indrarajah said, “We have a roadmap to decarbonise our operations, including investing in renewable electricity, increasing biogas recovery, and exploring new innovations that will help us reach our net zero goal. Water is also a key resource for us. We are proud to be the first company in Malaysia to fully balance the water we use in our products. We invest in conservation projects that help us protect our water sources externally whilst we continue improving the efficiency of water consumption internally. To make a positive impact for the environment, we cannot do this alone. We need the support and cooperation of our stakeholders across the value chain.”
Being the leader in water stewardship, HEINEKEN Malaysia has a three-pronged approach to reduce water consumption in production, maximise water circularity and fully balance water used in its products.
- Water Balancing – HEINEKEN Malaysia has a target to balance 1.5 litres for every 1 litre of water used in its products. In 2021, through water stewardship initiatives such as river and peatland conservation, rainwater harvesting, reforestation, and other water conservation initiatives, it achieved 289% versus its water balancing target.
- Water Efficiency – In 2021, HEINEKEN Malaysia reduced its average water consumption by 15.5% compared with 2014. It has a 2030 target to reduce water consumption by a further 29% to 2.6 hectolitres per hectolitre of beer produced.
- Water Circularity – The brewer treats 100% of its wastewater beyond the standards required by the Department of Environment and continues to identify opportunities to maximise the reuse and recycling of treated wastewater.
Social Sustainability
With a history of more than 58 years in Malaysia, HEINEKEN Malaysia contributes over RM1.1 billion in taxes annually. HEINEKEN Malaysia sustains more than 500 jobs directly and over 30,000 jobs indirectly. HEINEKEN Malaysia also supports the growth of the local economy, supplying its products to more than 25,000 retail partners nationwide.
Besides contributing to the economy, the brewer is also committed to making a positive social impact. In 2021, HEINEKEN Malaysia launched the HEINEKEN Cares programme to help mitigate the negative impacts of a prolonged lockdown. Collaborating with 8 NGOs in Peninsular and East Malaysia, the brewer delivered 150,000 meals to vulnerable communities across Malaysia at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to the major flood disaster in the Klang Valley in December 2021, the HEINEKEN Cares programme channelled an additional 100,000 meals and emergency care packages to flood victims.
“The HEINEKEN Cares programme connected our employees with our social impact initiatives. To encourage our employees to take action, we committed to deliver 1 meal for every 1,000 steps taken by a HEINEKEN Malaysia employee. We are proud that we collectively contributed over 155 million steps, exceeding our target and enabling our partner NGOs to deliver the much-needed aid to our communities,” said Renuka.
HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Tiger Sin Chew Chinese Education Charity Concert, the brewer’s long-standing social impact project, successfully raised RM5.96 million for five schools through its virtual fundraising concert in 2021. Since 1994, Tiger Beer together with Sin Chew Daily and Guang Ming Daily have helped to raise more than RM361 million for schools in Malaysia. The fundraising concerts, which are sponsored by Tiger Beer, serve as a platform for local businesses and communities to come together to support their local schools.
For more information on HEINEKEN Malaysia’s CSR and Social Responsibility initiatives, please visit SPARK Foundation’s official website at www.sparkfoundation.com.my or HEINEKEN Malaysia’s official website at www.heinekenmalaysia.com.
