Anheuser-Busch InBev has released its 2014 Global Citizenship Report, noting that it has achieved its goal of reducing 2014 global water usage to 3.2 hectoliters (84.5 gallons) of water per hectoliter (26.4 gallons) of production three years early, representing a year-over-year decrease of 3.6 percent. Water reduction efforts saved the company $5 million in 2014 and more than $12 million since 2012.
The company says it is focusing on minimizing water use through its supply chain by helping farmers use enhanced irrigation technology and drought-resistant seeds and reducing its in-brewery water use. To offset additional water use, ABI reuses water left over from the brewing process to support other businesses and irrigate community parks and agricultural crops.
ABI is halfway to its goal of engaging in watershed protection measures at 100 percent of its facilities.
Since 2012, the company has reduced its global greenhouse gas emissions per hectoliter of production by 10.6 percent, exceeding its 2017 target by 0.6 percent. By 2017, the company aims to reduce GHG emissions in logistics operations by 15 percent per hectoliter sold from its 2013 baseline. ABI plans to reach this goal by reducing outbound transportation, using alternative fuels, implementing more fuel-efficient driving practices and increasing the use of multimodal transportation, among others. It is in the process of replacing its Houston, Texas, fleet of 66 diesel-powered tractors with compressed natural gas-powered tractors. Each CNG truck emits about 23 percent less GHG emissions compared to a comparable diesel engine. The conversion is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by a combined 2,000 tons per year.
In 2014, ABI recycled more than 98.5 percent of solid waste across its global operations, and 124 of its 150 beverage plants achieved virtually zero waste to landfill status, diverting at least 98 percent of all solid waste from landfills.
In its second year of working toward its materials reduction target, ABI reduced its packaging by approximately 20,600 tons; it has reduced packaging by more than 68,000 tons since 2012. The company is more than half way to its goal of reducing packaging by 100,000 tons against its 2012 baseline.
Global energy use per hectoliter of production has dropped 7.5 percent against the 2012 baseline. The company’s goal is to reach a 10 percent drop in energy use by 2017.
