Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Heineken score?

Heineken reported 974,000 tCO₂e Scope 1 and 117,000 tCO₂e market-based Scope 2 in 2024 under CSRD/ESRS standards. Scope 1 decreased 3.94% year-on-year and 34% since 2022 baseline. Multi-year tracking with granular breakdown and third-party assurance in place.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Heineken score?

Scope 3 emissions reported at 14.8 MtCO₂e across 13 of 15 GHG Protocol categories in 2024. 56 suppliers have set SBTi targets; packaging suppliers representing 80% of packaging footprint committed to SBTi. REfresh Alliance launched with 10 beverage companies to scale renewable electricity adoption.

Emissions Trajectory: How does Heineken score?

Scope 1&2 fell 34% since 2022 baseline, tracking toward 2030 net-zero target. Scope 3 fell 14% versus baseline. 2024 total emissions of 16.65 MtCO₂e appear above 2022 baseline, partly due to expanded reporting from 9 to 13 categories, introducing measurement uncertainty.

Energy Source: How does Heineken score?

84% of global electricity from renewable sources in 2024; 50% of total energy consumption renewable. Heineken uses PPAs, on-site solar, and renewable thermal investments (heat pumps in Hungary, electric boilers in Ethiopia, solar thermal in Spain). No reliance on unbundled RECs. Fossil fuels still power 50% of total energy.

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Heineken score?

First global brewer with SBTi-validated FLAG targets targeting 30% agriculture-emissions reduction by 2030. TRANSITIONS regenerative agriculture programme launched with 200 farmers on 25,000 hectares in France, scaling to 1,000 by 2026. Quantified nature footprint and deforestation-free certification across full supply chain not yet confirmed.

Resource Use & Waste: How does Heineken score?

39% of volumes in reusable packaging; 44% recycled content in bottles and cans; 98% packaging recyclable by design. 2030 targets: 43% reusable, 50% recycled content, 99% recyclable. 61% of volumes still in single-use packaging; virgin material use continues.

Water Impact: How does Heineken score?

Water usage improved to 3.1 hl/hl in 2024 from 3.2 hl/hl in 2023; target 2.6 hl/hl globally. 36 active water replenishment projects including reforestation in Brazil, Ethiopia, Malaysia. Water-stressed sites increased from 32 to 41 in 2024. Ethiopian brewery showed rising grey water footprint 2019–2023.

Targets & Commitments: How does Heineken score?

SBTi-validated near-term and long-term targets plus FLAG targets (first global brewer, approved 2023). Net zero Scope 1&2 by 2030 (90% absolute reduction); net zero value chain by 2040. Scope 3: FLAG -30%, non-FLAG -25% by 2030 versus 2022. Max 10% residual emissions via high-quality removal credits only.

Transparency & Accountability: How does Heineken score?

First CSRD/ESRS-aligned Annual Report 2024 integrating financial and sustainability data. Expanded Scope 3 disclosure (13 of 15 categories), TCFD alignment, Senior Director Global Sustainability, board oversight. Third-party assurance in place. No evidence of executive compensation linked to sustainability targets or mission-locked structure.

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Heineken score?

Brazil CONAR ruling (2022) required amendment of claims about '100% green energy' and 'zero CO₂ emissions' — regulatory correction for overstated marketing. InfluenceMap rates Heineken highly on direct climate engagement. Member of European Round Table for Industry with mixed EU climate policy positions. No published lobbying audit.

Heineken Sustainability Score: 45/100

Recently scored: Next plc, Target Corporation, Rapanui Clothing, SHEIN

515 companies scored·27 score updates this week

Heineken·Food & Beverage (non-meat)·Amsterdam, Netherlands·Founded 1874·Last verified 31 May 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review

Heineken has credible science-based targets and is delivering on emissions reductions, particularly Scope 1&2. But heavy reliance on single-use packaging (61% of volumes), incomplete supply-chain deforestation verification, and water stress expanding in 41 sites reveal structural sustainability gaps beneath the headline numbers.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Food & Beverage (non-meat) sector ceiling.

50 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

71 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 50) + (0.7 × 71) = 64.7

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.7

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

45 / 100

The ten questions

Where Heineken is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Targets & Commitments and Carbon Footprint — Operations (9/10, 8/10). Weakest on Resource Use & Waste and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (6/10, 6/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

21 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

16 of 21 sources are third-party verified or public record.

[1]Third-party verified

Tracenable — Heineken GHG Emissions

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3

Every score shows its working.

Where Heineken is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Heineken sits among food & beverage (non-meat) peers.

Heineken's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.