Anheuser-Busch InBev has released its 2011 Global Citizenship Report, titled “Connecting for a Better World.” The publication details AB InBev’s 2011 progress toward its Better World commitment and global goals, which focus on responsible drinking, environment and community. The report is available to view and download on AB InBev’s website at www.ab-inbev.com/go/social_responsibility.cfm.
“At AB InBev, we constantly challenge ourselves to dream bigger and achieve more. It is a fundamental part of our culture – and it explains why we are not satisfied with just striving to be the world’s best beer company. Our dream is to be the Best Beer Company in a Better World,” said Carlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer of AB InBev. “This 2011 Global Citizenship Report is a testament to our progress and our colleagues, as the people of AB InBev continue to drive us toward our dream.”
Global achievements for the 2011 reporting period include:
Responsible Drinking Highlights
- In 2011, AB InBev established a set of six ambitious Global Responsible Drinking Goals to help promote responsible drinking and discourage the harmful use of alcohol. The company aims to achieve these goals by the end of 2014 and progress will be independently audited:
- Reach at least 100 million adults with programs developed by subject matter experts to help parents talk with their children about underage drinking;
- Provide ID-checking materials and other education information to at least half-a-million bars, clubs, restaurants and grocery stores to help them prevent sales to minors;
- Provide training on responsible alcohol beverage sales to at least 1 million bartenders, waiters, grocery store clerks and others who serve and sell alcohol;
- Reach at least half-a-billion legal-age consumers to increase awareness of the importance of using a designated driver or safe-ride home;
- Invest at least 300 million USD in advertising and programs to help remind and educate consumers about the importance of responsible drinking; and
- Celebrate Global Be(er) Responsible Day annually to promote the importance of responsible drinking among our employees, retail customers and consumers.
- The company celebrated its second annual Global Be(er) Responsible Day on September 23, 2011 to focus worldwide attention on responsible drinking. More than 27,000 employees in over 20 countries participated, a 60% increase from 2010. The day’s activities ranged from efforts with retailers to prevent sales of alcohol beverages to minors to partnerships that expand the use of designated drivers in markets around the world.
- Since its inception in 1990, the Family Talk About Drinking program has reached millions of parents and educators. The program is available in seven languages and is tailored for parents of children of different ages. In 2011, AB InBev expanded the program’s reach to new markets including Russia and Ukraine and also brought the program to Facebook in the UK and U.S.
Environment Highlights
- In 2011, the company advanced toward its global environmental goals, which it aims to meet by end-2012. These are:
- Reaching a leading-edge water-usage target of 3.5 hectoliters of water for each hectoliter of product at beer and soft drink facilities. In 2011, the company’s average water use was 3.71 hectoliters per hectoliter of product, which represents an 8.2% reduction versus 2010, and a 13.7% reduction against its 2009 baseline.
- Reducing energy use per hectoliter of product by 10%. In 2011, the company achieved a 5.2% decrease on a per hectoliter basis (megajoules per hectoliter), representing an 8.7% overall decrease compared to 2009.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions per hectoliter of product by 10%. AB InBev reduced its CO2 emissions by 5% in 2011, which represents a reduction of 11.5% per hectoliter of product since 2009.
- Reaching a 99% recycling rate of waste and byproducts. In 2011, AB InBev reached a rate of 98.2%.
Community Highlights
- In 2011, AB InBev issued its global volunteer policy and began tracking employees’ volunteer efforts. More than 18,000 employees took part in community volunteerism activities in 2011.
- With operations in 23 countries, AB InBev has a far-reaching economic impact on the communities where it does business through the jobs it creates and the taxes it pays. In 2011, it paid 3.2 billion USD in wages and salaries to approximately 116,000 employees; 3.3 billion USD in capital investments in its facilities, distribution network and systems – an investment that generates jobs and local economic growth; and 12 billion USD in excise and income taxes.
People
- AB InBev focuses on attracting and retaining the best talent and aims to enhance its people’s skills and potential through education and training, competitive compensation and a culture of ownership that rewards people for taking responsibility and producing results.
- In 2011, 100,237 employees across all Zones participated in a combined total of more than 1.3 million hours of training, which was an average of about 13 hours per employee. All training and development programs are designed to provide strategic direction, structure and consistency across the company as part of AB InBev University.
- Although safety is a permanent concern, AB InBev takes extra time to celebrate safety during its Supply plant safety days and during World Safety Day on April 28. In 2011, the company focused the celebration around internal transport and commuting safety with the theme “Drive Safely at Home and at Work.” The emphasis on commuting safety extended throughout the year as part of its regular safety excellence programs and special defensive driving courses offered to its employees in several Zones.
AB InBev consults the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and is self-reporting at Level B. The company was the No. 1 ranked brewer in Social Responsibility in the beverage industry in the 2012 FORTUNE “World’s Most Admired Companies” list.
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