Heineken México Launches 2024 Green Challenge

Heineken Mexico, in collaboration with incMTY, has announced the launch of the seventh edition of its HEINEKEN Green Challenge. This initiative seeks innovative solutions to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions, offering participants the chance to implement pilot projects within Heineken’s operations.

In this edition, the HEINEKEN Green Challenge will award incentives totaling MX$1 million (US$51,627). Additional support includes project acceleration incentives and pilot opportunities at the brewery. The challenge will seek entrepreneurial projects focused on five strategic themes: reducing energy consumption and/or utilizing renewable energy in production processes; measuring and tracking the environmental footprint in the value chain; providing low or zero environmental impact materials and services; reducing CO2 emissions in logistics operations; and promoting education and democratization of sustainability knowledge.

incMTY, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform, supports the challenge through its Open Innovation model, connecting Heineken México with the innovation ecosystem to discover disruptive solutions. Participants in the 2024 HEINEKEN Green Challenge will gain access to a network of experts, mentors, and resources, allowing them to scale their projects and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Heineken aims to reduce its carbon emissions from operational scopes 1 and 2 by 2030, extending this goal to its entire value chain by 2040. This initiative encompasses production, logistics, and energy consumption at points of sale, leveraging new technologies to lower energy usage. One of the industry's challenges is logistics, where Heineken seeks to reduce CO2 emissions across its supply chain. Elena Montes de Oca, Sustainability and Circular Economy Lead, Heineken México, emphasized that logistical solutions must address emissions at all three scopes, including fuel consumption, renewable energy use, and data tracking during transport and storage. 

In addition to technical validation, Montes de Oca noted the importance of education in sustainability. "We cannot expect individuals and companies to make informed decisions without the necessary knowledge. Therefore, one focus of the HEINEKEN Green Challenge is to promote sustainability education and make these tools accessible to all," she added.

Guillaume Duverdier, CEO, Heineken México, emphasized the importance of creating long-term value and promoting social development, especially given the urgent need for action on environmental issues. “Every decision we make will have a lasting impact. This year's challenge includes the possibility of integrating a pilot project into the brewery, provided it aligns with Heineken México's business strategy,” he stated.