Anheuser-Busch InBev (Euronext: ABI) (NYSE: BUD) announced it is the most efficient in terms of water use among global brewers¹. The designation was achieved by reaching an industry-leading water use ratio of 3.2 hectoliters per hectoliter of production. From 2013 to 2014, this resulted in saving the equivalent of the amount of water it takes to make more than 4 billion cans of our beers. In addition to the work done within its brewery walls, the company also engages in a comprehensive water stewardship program, including watershed protection measures in brewery communities facing water stress and working with barley growers to obtain the most crop per drop.  The efforts aim to improve the quality and quantity of available water for all users.

This announcement coincides with AB InBev’s 7^th global celebration of the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Environment Day.  This year, the company is putting a particular emphasis on the issue of water, a critical input to AB InBev’s products and a vital resource to its communities around the world.  To demonstrate its commitment to collectively tackling environmental challenges inside and outside its brewery walls, AB InBev is joining together for the first time in a common initiative—a Global Walk for Water. Colleagues will log steps and charitable donations to drive awareness of water issues in their communities. 

“Making strides in water efficiency brings us closer to our Dream to be the Best Beer Company Bringing People Together For a Better World,” said Carlos Brito, CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev. “At the heart of that Dream is collective action with all stakeholders. Through our first Global Walk for Water, we’re bringing people together globally to raise awareness of water issues. We believe we have an important role to play to address the world’s most serious environmental challenges and we’re proud of our colleagues and partners worldwide who will be pledging steps and donations to help solve large-scale water challenges.”

The Global Walk for Water is just one illustration of how AB InBev deploys resources, technologies and human capital both within its facilities and across its global footprint to help solve environmental challenges such as water management. AB InBev also invests in partnerships and initiatives that address the whole water ecosystem, from facility improvements, to new grower technologies, to community forums, to watershed clean-ups and beyond.  For example, at the end of 2014, nine breweries returned clean, repurposed water to help community water needs. While the water isn’t potable, it can be pivotal in water-stressed regions as it can be used for many other purposes including agriculture, landscaping and road cleaning.

2014 Global Environmental Goal Progress

AB InBev is on track to meet its eight Global Environmental Goals by 2017 – and has already achieved two of these goals early. In particular, the company has achieved its goal to reduce the amount of water needed to produce its products, without compromising the quality consumers know and love, and exceeded its targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

The company reduced its global GHG emissions intensity by 10.6%, surpassing the 2017 goal of 10% three years ahead of schedule.  In China, AB InBev has also made creative use of alternative and renewable fuels, as well as its proprietary Voyager Plant Optimization (VPO) system, to reduce GHG emissions per hectoliter of production by 22.1%, a level well above the 15% 2017 target. 

AB InBev will continue to make similar investments in China and around the world to meet global standards and to drive progress on all its environmental goals ahead of the 2017 deadline.

^[1] This water use ratio is the lowest among largest global brewers, based on publicly available data provided by global brewers as of May 30^th.

AB InBev

AB InBev

Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with an American Depository Receipt secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). It is the leading global brewer and one of the world's top five consumer products companies.

Beer, the original social network, has been bringing people together for thousands of years and our portfolio of well over 200 beer brands continues to forge strong connections with consumers. We invest the majority of our brand-building resources on our Focus Brands - those with the greatest growth potential such as global brands Budweiser®, Stella Artois® and Beck’s®, alongside Leffe®, Hoegaarden®, Bud Light®, Skol®, Brahma®, Antarctica®, Quilmes®, Michelob Ultra®, Harbin®, Sedrin®, Klinskoye®, Sibirskaya Korona®, Chernigivske®, Hasseröder® and Jupiler®. In addition, the company owns a 50 percent equity interest in the operating subsidiary of Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer and owner of the global Corona® brand. AB InBev’s dedication to heritage and quality originates from the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium dating back to 1366 and the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery, with origins in St. Louis, USA since 1852. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, AB InBev leverages the collective strengths of its approximately 116,000 employees based in 23 countries worldwide. In 2011, AB InBev realized 39.0 billion USD revenue. The company strives to be the Best Beer Company in a Better World. For more information, please visit: www.ab-inbev.com.

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