Skip to content
Back to home page

Environmental Sustainability

Supporting HEINEKEN’s global net zero ambition.

Reach net zero carbon

We're focussed on reducing our carbon footprint and tackling climate change. One of the goals of HEINEKEN’s global Brew a Better World strategy is to reach net zero carbon by 2040 across our value chain (Scope 1, 2 and 3).

Globally, in 2025 we achieved a 19% CO2 reduction vs. 2022 across all scopes and sourced 88% of our electricity from renewable sources. 

Regenerative Agriculture - two people walking through the barley farm

Regenerative Agriculture

British barley is at the heart of some of the UK’s best-loved beers, so making it more resilient for the future matters.

We’re working with partners across the barley supply chain to support the transition to regenerative agriculture practices with the aim of contributing to healthier soils and strengthening the long-term resilience of British barley.

In 2027, almost half of the malted barley sourced by HEINEKEN UK is expected to be grown through regenerative agriculture practices.*
 
Manchester Brewery Investment

Our Investment into Manchester Brewery

Manchester Brewery is our largest UK brewery, where it brews 2.5m pints a day of household favourites including Foster’s, Cruzcampo and Heineken®. 

What’s more? We’ve invested £28.2m in large scale heat pump technology, which has contributed to a 42% reduction in CO₂ intensity (kg CO2/HL) and the cutting of natural gas use at the site by a third**. This has reduced our reliance on natural gas for heating and is transforming how energy is managed across the brewery.
Birra Moretti Bottle in Brewery

Reducing Emissions Beyond Production

Our global circularity strategy focuses on packaging across three areas: reuse, recycled content, and recyclable by design, with clear 2030 global ambitions.

Our Managing Director Boudewijn Haarsma said, “At HEINEKEN UK, we’re committed to working closely with Exchange for Change and our industry partners to help ensure a smooth transition and a successful launch for consumers, retailers and producers alike. A simple action that can drive real environmental change, and one we’re proud to play our part.”

Orcharding Apples 2026

Brewing Circularity into Orchards

For us, cider is about more than apples; it’s about long-term relationships, sustainable growing, and giving every part of the process purpose.

Through 25-year grower contracts and our own nursery, we’re planting with the next generation in mind. Some of our orchards have been thriving for over 50 years, standing the test of time. 

After harvest, apples are pressed for juice, while leftover pomace is converted into biomass and renewable energy. From orchard to energy, it’s circularity in action, supporting consistency, reliability and our Brew a Better World strategy.
SmartDispense

Water Efficiency

Water. Without it, we don’t have beer. It’s essential for our beers and ciders, and with climate change, it's more important than ever that we use and replenish it responsibly.

Our SmartDispense technology is already helping our customers serve quality drinks whilst reducing water use in their pubs, bars and restaurants.

We’re working to improve water efficiency in our own operations to support HEINEKEN’S 2030 global ambition of reaching a water efficiency of 2.6hl for every hectolitre of beer and cider produced.

*Calculation based on HEINEKEN UK estimated forecast of malted barley volume for 2027. Secondly, calculation based on the committed volume offtake of regenerative barley from the programme in 2027.

**Percentage reductions in on-site natural gas use and CO2 emissions intensity (kg CO2/HL) at HEINEKEN UK’s Manchester Brewery are based on the period of July to December 2025, compared to the same period of July to December 2024.