Sustainable development
Our sustainability
strategy
Our success is only possible if we develop our employees and communities and create the conditions to hinder climate change.
Over the years, our activities have created value for the residents among whom we brew, our employees and business partners, and our consumers, as well as making an impact on the environment.
New challenges in these areas have led us to adopt a new ambition in our sustainability strategy “Brew a Better World” and set out the new goals we want to achieve by 2030.
Our strategy focuses on three areas: reducing environmental impact, supporting community development and promoting responsible alcohol consumption. The goals we set ourselves are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Science Based Targets Initative.
Brew a Better World
In 2021, we have adopted new targets as part of our sustainability strategy
“Brew a Better World”.
By 2030 we will achieve
net zero emissions
in Scope 1 and 2
Our activities
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Beer is 95% water. We save it at every stage of production, which is why we are one of the most efficient beer companies in the entire HEINEKEN Group.
As part of employee volunteering, we clean up riverbanks with Operation Clean River. We are also one of the founding members of the We Care for Water Coalition, which aims to promote small-scale retention in the Żywiec region.
As part of employee volunteering, we clean up riverbanks with Operation Clean River. We are also one of the founding members of the We Care for Water Coalition, which aims to promote small-scale retention in the Żywiec region.
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100% of the electricity we use comes from sustainable sources.
We are also working hard to decarbonise thermal energy to achieve net zero emissions in our net production by 2030. We are constantly improving energy efficiency at our breweries and investing in modern infrastructure.
We are also working hard to decarbonise thermal energy to achieve net zero emissions in our net production by 2030. We are constantly improving energy efficiency at our breweries and investing in modern infrastructure.
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Did you know that a returnable bottle can circulate up to 20 times?
In addition, its carbon footprint is many times lower than a disposable bottle or even a can. It is worth giving bottles a second life and returning them to circulation – just return them to the shop.
In addition, its carbon footprint is many times lower than a disposable bottle or even a can. It is worth giving bottles a second life and returning them to circulation – just return them to the shop.
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We support local agriculture by buying from domestic barley and hop producers.
We are a member of the Association of Sustainable Agriculture and Food in Poland, which popularises regenerative farming practices among Polish farmers. Our goal is to certify 100% of the agricultural raw materials we buy by 2030 for sustainable farming practices in accordance with SAI FSA guidelines.
We are a member of the Association of Sustainable Agriculture and Food in Poland, which popularises regenerative farming practices among Polish farmers. Our goal is to certify 100% of the agricultural raw materials we buy by 2030 for sustainable farming practices in accordance with SAI FSA guidelines.
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Have you been drinking? Don’t drive. And not just by car, but also on two wheels.
As part of the Trzymaj Pion campaign, we emphasise the importance of moderation in alcohol consumption. We educate consumers on current cycling laws, e-scooters and other forms of urban mobility. 10% of the advertising budget of the Heineken brand is allocated to the broadcast of ads of the Enjoy Heineken Responsibly campaign.
As part of the Stay Upright campaign, we emphasise the importance of moderation in alcohol consumption. We educate consumers on current cycling laws, e-scooters and other forms of urban mobility. 10% of the advertising budget of the Heineken brand is allocated to the broadcast of ads of the Enjoy Heineken Responsibly campaign.
Strategy
The strategy sets our ambitions on three pillars: environmental protection, community development and promoting responsible alcohol consumption. Our ambitions also fit in with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which have been adopted by all UN countries.
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Objectives:
- Net zero emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 and across the value chain by 2040
- 100% sustainable raw materials (hops, barley) by 2030
- Zero waste to landfill in all breweries by 2025
- Closing material circuits
- Reducing water consumption to below 2.9 hl/hl by 2030
- Zero net emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 and across the value chain by 2040
- 100% sustainable raw materials (hops, barley) by 2030
- Zero waste to landfill in all breweries by 2025
- Closing material circuits
- Reducing water consumption to below 2.9 hl/hl by 2030
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Objectives:
- Gender balance in senior management positions: 30% by 2025, 40% by 2030
- 100% leaders trained in inclusion practices by 2023
- Fair wage for employees
- Equal pay for equal work
- Fair living and working standards for third party employees and brand promoters
- Zero fatal and serious accidents at work
- Social impact initiative
- Gender balance in senior management positions: 30% by 2025, 40% by 2030
- 100% leaders trained in inclusion practices by 2023
- Fair wage for employees
- Equal pay for equal work
- Fair living and working standards for third party employees and brand promoters
- Zero fatal and serious accidents at work
- Social impact initiative
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Objectives:
- Clear and transparent consumer information on our packaging by 2023
- Offer including non-alcohol options on at least 2 major brands in the portfolio
- Implementation of a programme promoting responsible alcohol consumption
- 10% of the advertising budget of the Heineken brand allocated to the broadcast of the Enjoy Heineken Responsibly campaign
- Clear and transparent consumer information on our packaging by 2023
- Offer including non-alcohol options on at least 2 major brands in the portfolio
- Implementation of a programme promoting responsible alcohol consumption
- 10% of the advertising budget of the Heineken brand allocated to the broadcast of the Enjoy Heineken Responsibly campaign
Reports
Detailed information on our sustainability activities can be found in the Żywiec Group’s ESG reports.
Our programmes
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Return the bottle
A returnable bottle can circulate up to 20 times and its carbon footprint is many times lower than a disposable glass bottle or even a can.
A returnable bottle can circulate up to 20 times and its carbon footprint is many times lower than a disposable glass bottle or even a can.
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We Care for Water Coalition
The Coalition is made up of Grupa Żywiec and Żywiec Zdrój and aims to promote small-scale retention solutions in the Żywiec region.
The Coalition is made up of Grupa Żywiec and Żywiec Zdrój and aims to promote small-scale retention solutions in the Żywiec region.
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Trzymaj Pion
We firmly believe that alcohol should be consumed in moderation, which is why we educate and encourage people to consume responsibly as part of the Trzymaj Pion Campaign.
We firmly believe that alcohol should be consumed in moderation, which is why we educate and encourage people to consume responsibly as part of the Trzymaj Pion Campaign.
Ethics and human rights
We conduct our business based on the highest standards of business ethics. Due diligence in the Żywiec Group is based on conducting a number of activities, indicated in international documents, including:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Declaration of the International Labour Organisation
concerning Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (ILO) - UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises
At Grupa Żywiec, we attach great importance to due diligence and acting with integrity. The basis of our operations is the Code of Business Conduct, which applies to all HEINEKEN Group entities worldwide. It acts as a kind of instruction manual showing how to implement HEINEKEN values and the highest standards of integrity in everyday life. The Code sets out standards of behaviour that help us make the right decisions and protect our employees, business partners and the Company. It is important to us that every cooperation is based on mutual trust and honesty, therefore any cases of abuse, corruption or other unethical behaviour should be reported in accordance with the Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection Procedure so that they can be counteracted.
SpeakUp
At Grupa Żywiec, we believe that transparency and honesty foster success and create the right attitudes in social relations. We address our employees as well as our business partners with the same message. It is important to us that any cooperation is based on mutual trust and honesty, so any cases of fraud, corruption or other unethical behaviour should be reported so that they can be countered. As an entity within the Heineken Group, we are proud to present our Code of Business Conduct, which is a source of knowledge and guidance for all of us on what we do to conduct business with integrity and honesty – always and everywhere.
You can report a suspected breach via:
Remember that this channel can only be used to raise concerns about misconduct in our organisation. If you would like to contact us about any other topic or if you are a consumer of our beers and have any questions or concerns about our beer, please call our consumer helpline 801 540 450, email us at: info@grupazywiec.pl or use the contact form.