Innovative partnerships on the path to net zero

HEINEKEN’s ambition is to reach net zero across our value chain by 2040¹ with an intermediate goal to reach net zero carbon in our operations (scope 1 and 2) by 2030.²

The HEINEKEN Net Zero Production (NZP) programme is designed to reduce our carbon footprint across nearly 181 production sites worldwide by adopting customised energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.

To reach net zero, we are focused on two key areas:

• Reducing energy demand: Implementing energy-efficient technologies in our production and logistics to minimise consumption.
• Transitioning to renewables: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and bioenergy.

We cannot use a one size fits all approach, and decarbonisation requires precise planning and tailored solutions. We are developing custom strategies for each location which account for geographical, socio-political, technological and economic variations.

Access to renewable thermal energy remains a significant challenge. Barriers vary across the globe from fragmented energy infrastructure to gaps in regulation and policy. These obstacles limit available solutions and make some financially unviable. It is too early to determine the impact of such challenges on our ability to achieve our goals. Despite this, we remain steadfast in our ambitions and continue to engage with policymakers to advocate for removing barriers to decarbonisation and explore innovative solutions with our partners.

The impact of collaboration

The scale of the challenge is significant. Our approach combines in-house expertise with strategic external partnerships. We are collaborating with Siemens, Royal Haskoning DHV, NIRAS, Engie and Arcadis to drive decarbonisation efforts across nearly 181 sites globally. Several local partnerships are already delivering impact.

Ethiopia: After conducting a feasibility study with our global implementation partner NIRAS, we identified a solution to help our Kilinto Brewery tap into renewable electricity available through Ethiopia’s grid. The solution involves transitioning from traditional oil boilers to electric boilers (e-boilers) as the main source of steam for production. The existing fuel boilers will remain operational as backup in case of grid power outages.

 Hungary: We set out in 2022 to create a local decarbonisation roadmap in Hungary with our global partner, Siemens. A feasibility study identified a range of improvements to help drive emissions reductions at our Sopron brewery. After detailed analysis, the measures selected include investment in a high-temperature ammonia heat pump, producing steam using biogas derived from wastewater treatment, and replacing an old tunnel pasteuriser with a hot water-heated unit.

Portugal: We began working with Siemens in 2022 to develop a decarbonisation roadmap for our Vialonga site, comprising the brewery and the malting plant. As an example, we will construct an energy recovery system that uses a heat pump to create thermal energy using electricity through a hot water loop. This system will partially replace steam currently produced by natural gas boilers. This part of the roadmap is estimated to reduce of almost Vialonga’s scope 1 thermal emissions by almost half vs. The 2022 baseline. The brewery is also working with EDP, another major energy company, on a heat battery solution to help deliver renewable steam produced from solar energy.

A strategic focus on maximising outcomes

We take a strategic approach to identifying investments on the path to net zero. Since 2022, we achieved a 34% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions. In 2024, we began to apply a marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) to further accelerate delivery while controlling programme costs and prioritising projects. This provides a way of ranking and comparing the expected costs and savings of different opportunities alongside the potential emissions that could be reduced.

“These initiatives demonstrate HEINEKEN’s progress in rethinking energy systems and directly reducing emissions at production sites on the path to net zero. We’re proud to be working with our technical partners on decarbonisation projects around the world.

Jan-Maarten Geertman, Director Sustainable Production at HEINEKEN 

_{¹Net Zero is defined by SBTi as a minimum of 90% emissions reductions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. A maximum of 10% residual emissions that cannot be eliminated otherwise must be covered with permanent carbon removal and storage solutions.}

_{²We have defined this goal as a 90% emissions reductions across Scopes 1 and 2. A maximum of 10% residual emissions that cannot be eliminated otherwise must be covered with permanent carbon removal and storage solutions.}