Heineken Malaysia Bhd has been recognised at the recent UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB) Forward Faster Sustainability Awards 2023, emerging victorious in the Water Resilience category for exceptional leadership in building resilience for water-related challenges
The recognition acknowledged the brewer’s progress made under the Towards Healthy Watersheds programme.
Receiving the award, Heineken Malaysia’s managing director Roland Bala said, “It is an honour for us to be recognised two years in a row as a champion for our efforts in water conservation. Guided by Heineken’s Brew a Better World sustainability strategy, our team has designed and implemented initiatives that focus on improving the way we use and protect water as a key resource for our business.”
He added, “We also continue our collaboration with government agencies, civil society, and local communities to conserve our watersheds, which are the precious sources of water. We cannot do this alone and hope to inspire more companies and organisations to care for our watersheds.”
This win extends the company’s track record as a member of UNGCMYB, having won two awards in 2022 for the UN SDG benchmarks of “Net-positive water impact in water-stressed basins” and “Zero waste to landfill and incineration”.
The Towards Healthy Watersheds programme is a key part of the company’s Brew a Better World sustainability strategy. In its 2030 roadmap, the brewer strengthens its environmental responsibility by setting ambitions towards clean, safe, and sustainable watersheds, involving a three-pronged approach – Water Efficiency, Water Circularity and Water Balancing.
Water Efficiency:
Heineken Malaysia targets to reduce its average water usage to 2.6 hectolitre per hectolitre of beer produced by 2030. Key initiatives include reducing the amount of water used in production by upgrading machines and utilities, reducing wastage and leakages, and exploring innovations in cleaning technology processes.
Water Circularity:
Heineken Malaysia treats 100% of its wastewater produced in the brewery, above the standards of the Department of Environment, ensuring that water used is maximised through recovery, reuse and recycling. It is also exploring methods to increase the recovery and reuse of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes, including general cleaning and gardening activities at the Sungei Way Brewery.
Water Balancing:
For every litre of water used in its products, Heineken Malaysia targets to balance 1.5 litres of water through conservation initiatives in the watershed beyond its brewery walls. The WATER Project (Working Actively Through Education & Rehabilitation), carried out through its corporate responsibility arm SPARK Foundation and environmental NGO, Global Environment Centre, focuses on key projects that include:
- Rehabilitation and conservation of Sungai Way to maintain water quality at Class III.
- A 305-metre clay dyke at the Raja Musa Forest Reserve, that prevents forest fires and contributes to the sustainability of Sungai Selangor.
- Reforestation to rehabilitate degraded peatland and increase the water table in the Raja Musa Forest Reserve.
- Rainwater harvesting systems for 23 communities in Selangor, reducing dependence on treated water for non-potable uses.
This year, Heineken Malaysia will invest RM6 million across eight years until 2030 in its water stewardship projects by bringing together different stakeholders to focus on a common goal to safeguard the health of watersheds in the Klang Valley.
Heineken Malaysia was also a finalist in the Climate Action category at UNGCMYB’s Forward Faster Sustainability Awards 2023 for progress on its Net Zero ambitions.
