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Heineken

OVERALL

Owned
NLD
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Brewer

World's #2 brewer after Anheuser-Busch InBev. Founded in 1864. The founding Heineken family controls the company.

Heineken NV   NLD     website   email      

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Heineken NV
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of A
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A.
Source: CDP (2022)
Social CDP Water Security Score of A-
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A-.
Source: CDP (2022)
Business Ethics 68/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 68/100 in the Beverages category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 16 Dec 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022)
Business Ethics 44.1% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #18/350, with a total score of 44.1/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021)
Business Ethics 18.7% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 18.7/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2017)
Environment Plastic pollution
In 2019 Break Free From Plastic engaged 72,541 volunteers in 51 countries to conduct 484 brand audits. These volunteers collected 476,423 pieces of plastic waste, 43% of which was marked with a clear consumer brand. While not in the global top 10, this company ranked as Europe's third worst plastic polluter.
Source: #breakfreefromplastic (2019)
Environment D- grade for plastic pollution
As You Sow's 2021 Corporate Plastic Pollution Scorecard ranks companies on plastic packaging pollution. The study measures the progress of 50 large companies in the beverage, quick-service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and retail sectors on six core pillars where swift action is needed to reduce plastic pollution: 1) Packaging Design, 2) Reusable Packaging, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Public Data Transparency, 5) Support for Recycling, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of D-
Source: As You Sow (2021)
Environment Supply chain practices in China
This company received a score of 11.7/100 (retrieved 10-Oct-2020) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains.
Source: IPE (2020)
Business Ethics 41.1% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 41.1/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2017)
Social Beer promotion workers in Cambodia
Beer promotion workers selling Heineken, Carlsberg, Bavaria and other beer in Cambodian bars and restaurants earn too little to make a decent living. This 2012 report by SOMO reveals that to compensate for their low wages, Cambodian beer promoters have to sit and drink beer with customers, often undergo sexual intimidation, have to work on their weekly days-off and occasionally resort to prostitution. The situation has improved mainly due to the efforts of Beer Selling Industry Cambodia (BSIC), the industry body of breweries that Heineken and Carlsberg are members of. Despite these efforts however, there are still a significant number of issues to be dealt with to provide decent working conditions for beer promotion workers. Heineken has the largest market share of beer in Cambodia.
Source: SOMO (2012)
Business Ethics Price fixing collusion & convictions
In 2007 Heineken were fined by the European commission 219.3m, along with Grolsch 31.65m and Bavaria 22.85m for operating a price fixing cartel in the Netherlands, totalling 273.7m. The brewers controlled 95% of the Dutch market, with Heineken claiming a half and the three others 15% each. [Listed under information due to age of court date]
Source: Guardian Weekly UK (2007)
Business Ethics Land grabs in Africa
This company has signed a letter of intent (https://bit.ly/2rdBlwn) to participate in the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which claims will lift 50 million people in Africa out of poverty by 2022. But according to a 2015 report by ActionAid, the scheme will benefit multinational companies at the expense of small-scale farmers and is likely to increase poverty and inequality in Africa. Launched in 2012, the New Alliance provides aid money from rich countries like the US and the UK, and helps big business invest in the African agricultural sector. But in return, African countries are required to change their land, seed and trade rules in favour of big business. The New Alliance will: Make it easier for big corporations to grab land in Africa: Prevent farmers from breeding, saving and exchanging seeds: Heavily promote chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which increase farmers’ risk of debt as well as damaging the environment and farmers' health: Replace family farms with low paid, insecure jobs; and Prevent countries from restricting crop exports, even at times of domestic shortage.
Source: Action Aid (2015)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
Social IARD member
This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.
Source: IARD (2021)
Animals Good Egg Award 2011 (UK)
Compassion in World Farming is a UK-based organisation which works with the European food industry to encourage and reward commitment, transparency, performance and innovation in the field of animal welfare. This company won their Good Egg Award in 2011 in recognition of their commitment to only source cage-free eggs.
Source: Compassion in World Farming (2011)
Business Ethics Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform (2019)
Business Ethics Sustainable Brands member
This company is a Bronze Member of the Sustainable Brands Network, the leading peer to peer, learning and networking group designed to support brands in meeting their sustainability goals and ultimately become those leaders of the next sustainable economy.
Source: Sustainable Brands (2018)
Business Ethics Sustainable Food Laboratory member
The Sustainable Food Lab is a network of business, public sector, and civil society leaders from around the globe who are working together to accelerate sustainability in mainstream food and agriculture.
Source: Sustainable Food Lab (2016)
Social 28.5% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 28.5%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2022)
Information Transnationale profile
A profile on this company can be seen at 'Transnationale' website. Follow source link for details on company record and involvements, which includes three accounts of fraud, five offshore tax havens, three accounts of political influence.
Source: Transnationale (2009)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Founded 1864
Revenue 21.9 billion EUR (2017)
Employees 73,000 (2017)
Subsidiaries United Breweries Ltd (62% owned) 

Alcoholic beverages

India's largest beer producer. In 2021 Heineken increased its stake to 61.5%, giving it full operational control.


DB Breweries Ltd 

Brewer

One of New Zealand's top 2 brewers, which has been owned by Heineken since 2013.


  - Redwood Cider Company 

Cider

Joint venture between Redwood Cellars and Heineken-owned DB Breweries, which began operations in October 2012. Heineken took over full ownership in 2015.


  - DBG (Australia) Pty Ltd 

Beer & cider sales and marketing

Australian sales and marketing arm of DB Breweries, one of New Zealand's top two brewers. Acquired 5 liquor brands from Asahi in 2020.


Heineken Asia Pacific 

Brewer

Formerly Asia Pacific Breweries. Makers of Tiger beer and other beverages. Founded in 1931 as a joint venture between the Heineken and Fraser and Neave. Heineken became full owners in 2013.


PT Multi Bintang Indonesia Tbk 

Brewery


Heineken USA Inc 

Brewer


Heineken UK Ltd 

Brewer

Operates about 2,500 pubs throughout the UK, plus a large portfolio of ciders and beers.

Contact Details

Address Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website www.heinekeninternational.com

Products / Brands

Drinkworks
Beck's Beer (imported)
Bintang Beer (imported)
Bonamy's Cider
Kingfisher Beer (imported)
Little Green Cider
Monteith Beer (imported)
Monteith Cider
Old Mout Cider Cider
Orchard Thieves Cider
Sol Beer (imported)
Stella Artois Beer (imported)
Strongbow Cider
Tiger Beer (imported)
Tui Beer (imported)


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