How Heineken’s water strategy achieved 33 % efficiency gains and scaled basin-level restoration to protect operations

In this episode, Sonia Thimmiah, the Sustainability Director at Heineken, shares how the world’s most international brewer integrates water management into its "Brew a Better World" sustainability strategy. Key efforts include reducing water use in breweries (targeting 2.9 hectoliters per hectoliter globally and 2.6 in water-stressed areas), achieving water balancing in water-stressed sites by 2030, and contributing to water positivity in 100 critical global water basins. 

The discussion highlights collaboration with local communities, governments, and other companies in projects like river rehabilitation in Malaysia, wetland protection in Spain, and reforestation in Indonesia. Thimmiah also emphasized the importance of measuring impact using tools like volumetric benefit accounting and integrating sustainability into governance and the supply chain, particularly agriculture (which accounts for 90% of Heineken’s water footprint). 

Disclaimer: This case example is intended strictly for learning purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of the individual companies by the UN Global Compact.