Today, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Heineken NV, joined United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and CEOs of other leading international companies for the launch of Global Compact LEAD.

This new platform created by the UN Global Compact has been established to set a new benchmark for corporate sustainability.

Heineken is one of 54 companies invited by the UN to make a commitment to work towards implementation of the 'Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership' a roadmap of actions to achieve greater sustainability.

"Heineken is proud to have been asked to be one of the inaugural Global Compact LEAD participants," said Jean-François van Boxmeer. "It underlines our commitment to sustainability and provides us with additional tools, benchmarks and networks that will support the delivery of our 'Brewing a Better Future' sustainability strategy around the world."

In his remarks to the group, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: "From the beginning, the Global Compact has been driven by business leaders willing to move beyond the status quo. Through Global Compact LEAD, you can help guide the way to the level of sustainability performance our world requires from business today."

About Brewing a Better Future
'Brewing a Better Future' is Heineken's long-term sustainability initiative. The 23 integrated programmes that make up the initiative focus on improving the environmental impact of Heineken's brands and business, empowering people and the communities in which Heineken operates and positively impacting the role of beer in society. Amongst the commitments Heineken has made as part of its approach to sustainability are:

• by 2020 a reduction of specific direct and indirect CO2 emissions in breweries by at least 40% and a reduction in specific water consumption by at least 25%;


• to expand to €20 million the funding for the Heineken Africa Foundation;


• to expand the local sourcing of raw materials in Africa to 60% by 2020;


• the continuous reduction of our CO2 footprint of our brands;


• by 2015 ensuring that all markets have a partnership that help the company play its part in reducing alcohol abuse;


• by 2015 for every majority-owned business to have a sustainability plan and to report publicly on its progress and commitment.

For more information on 'Brewing a Better Future', visit www.heinekeninternational.com/sustainability.

For more information on UN Global Compact and the 'Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership,' visit www.unglobalcompact.org/lead.

Editorial information:
Heineken is one of the world's great brewers and is committed to growth and remaining independent. The brand that bears the founder's family name - Heineken - is available in almost every country on the globe and is the world's most valuable international premium beer brand. The Company's aim is to be a leading brewer in each of the markets in which it operates and to have the world's most valuable brand portfolio. The Company operates 140 breweries in more than 70 countries and sold 165.7 million hectolitres of beer on a 2009 pro-forma basis. Heineken is Europe's largest brewer and the world's third largest by volume. Heineken is committed to the responsible marketing and consumption of its more than 200 international premium, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. These include Amstel, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Dos Equis, Foster's, Kingfisher, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol, Star, Strongbow, Tecate, Tiger and Zywiec. On a 2009 pro-forma basis, including FEMSA Cerveza, revenue totaled €16.9 billion and EBIT (beia) was €2.3 billion. The average number of people employed is more than 75,000. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares are listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on the Reuter Equities 2000 Service under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. Most recent information is available on Heineken's home page: www.heinekeninternational.com.

HEINEKEN

HEINEKEN

Launched in 2010 'Brewing a Better Future' is HEINEKEN's long-term sustainability ambition for 2020. 22 integrated programmes make up the ambition, focussing on improving the environmental impact of HEINEKEN's brands and business, empowering people and the communities in which HEINEKEN operates and positively impacting the role of beer in society.

Amongst the commitments Heineken has made as part of its approach to sustainability are:

• by 2020 a reduction of specific direct and indirect CO2 emissions in breweries by at least 40% and a reduction in specific water consumption by at least 25%
• to expand to €20 million the funding for the Heineken Africa Foundation
• to expand the local sourcing of raw materials in Africa to 60% by 2020
• the continuous reduction of our CO2 footprint of our brands
• by 2015 ensuring that all markets have a partnership that help the company play its part in reducing alcohol abuse
• by 2015 for every majority-owned business to have a sustainability plan and to report publicly on its progress and commitment.

More from HEINEKEN