The notion of corporate social responsibility is gaining prominence, as more and more brands see sustainability as a key factor for securing growth. In a bid to improve its sustainability performance, beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is looking to reduce its packaging and cut 100,000 tons of waste over the next five years, the equivalent of about a quarter of a billion full cans of beer.
Like many companies, Anheuser-Busch InBev which owns brands like Budweiser and Stella Artois, has been setting environmental targets for some time. Initially, the company determined three-year environmental goals in 2009. In the UK the initiative proved to be extremely successful, with almost 100% recycling rates of waste and by-products.
As a next step, the brewer has created a programme that includes a total of seven targets. The plan will be implemented in 27 countries and has to be completed by 2017. Apart from reducing waste, the targets include improving water management and reducing water risks in barley growing areas; engaging in watershed protection activities at its facilities located in the US and Latin America; and cutting down on water usage globally, bringing it down to 3.2 hectoliters of water per hectolitre of production.
Moreover, Anheuser-Busch InBev wants to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions per hectolitre of production by 10%, with the exception of China, where the goal is 15%, and will aim to cut global energy consumption per hectolitre of production by 10%.
It’s targets and achievements like these that companies like Anheuser-Busch InBev will increasingly be reporting on through Sustainability Communications and Integrated Reports. We actively encourage all of our clients to look beyond the financial data in their corporate reports as stakeholders increasingly look beyond the numbers when making judgements about a company.
Budweiser Manufacturer Announces Seven Environmental Targets
