Heineken Malaysia’s long-running focus on water management, renewable energy, and social partnerships earned multiple awards for environmental and social impact in 2024 and 2025.

Heineken Malaysia has earned six industry awards in recognition of its corporate sustainability work, highlighting years of investment in environmental and social initiatives across its operations and partnerships.

At The Star ESG Positive Impact Awards 2024, Heineken Malaysia was named Most Outstanding ESG Initiative in the Large Companies category for its Water Management and Efficiency programme. The company also picked up Gold awards in the Renewable Energy and Water Management categories, along with a Silver for Waste Management. Two additional recognitions were presented at the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2025.

Managing Director Martijn van Keulen said the awards reflect the company’s long-term approach. “This year marks meaningful progress as we demonstrate the impact of long-term, purpose-driven initiatives. Through our Brew a Better World 2030 ambitions, we aim to create value beyond our business for the benefit of people and the planet.”

Corporate Affairs and Legal Director Renuka Indrarajah noted that the company’s ESG strategy is built around environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and responsible consumption, with partnerships at the core of its progress. “Working with NGOs, suppliers and communities has allowed us to drive real impact, especially in the area of water,” she said.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Heineken Malaysia’s environmental work in 2024 focused on decarbonisation and circularity, including a 36 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 production emissions compared to its 2022 baseline. Since 2022, its brewery has been powered by 100 percent renewable electricity via Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s Green Electricity Tariff. In 2024, the company installed 3,500 solar panels at its Shah Alam site.

Water efficiency has improved by 29 percent since 2014, and through its ongoing partnership with the Global Environment Centre, the company supports river rehabilitation, reforestation, and rainwater harvesting initiatives. Last year, Heineken Malaysia replenished more than double the water it used in production.

In waste management, the company has maintained zero waste to landfill since 2017. In 2024, it eliminated 108 tonnes of plastic by switching to paper-based secondary packaging for locally produced products.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Heineken Malaysia continues to engage with community-focused programmes through established partnerships. Among the longest-running is its work with Sin Chew Daily through the Tiger Sin Chew Chinese Education Charity Concert, which has raised more than RM427 million since 1994, including RM19 million in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Heineken Cares initiative, delivered through the Sokong platform by Malaysiakini, supported six community projects in 2024, focusing on long-term resilience and empowerment. Beneficiaries included Hopes Malaysia, PWD Smart Farmability, SIROM, and the MyKasih Foundation.

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION

The company continues to promote moderation in alcohol consumption through targeted partnerships. In 2024, more than 5,000 Grab promo codes were distributed to encourage the use of e-hailing services at events. During the year-end festive season, RM140,000 worth of Grab credits were offered to consumers as part of a responsible drinking campaign.

Additionally, more than 10 percent of the Heineken brand’s annual media spend is allocated to responsible consumption messaging, including campaigns such as “When You Drive, Never Drink” and “Player 0.0”.

Globally, parent company Heineken NV was named among TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025, placing within the top 500. The ranking further reinforces the group’s broad commitment to environmental, social, and governance performance across its markets.

To learn more about how Heineken Malaysia is brewing a better world, visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com or explore Heineken’s latest progress in its 2024 Annual Report here.