OREANDA-NEWS. Anheuser-Busch InBev (Euronext: ABI) (NYSE: BUD) today committed to a new global environmental goal to reduce the company's carbon emissions in logistics operations by 15% by the end of 2017. In support of the new goal, the company will implement a variety of innovative measures and expand proven best practices across its global operations. AB InBev estimates that collective logistics improvements could result in up to 200 million USD in savings by the end of 2017.

This new target adds to AB InBev's existing global environmental goals covering water use and agricultural development; energy and greenhouse gas emissions; and materials and recycling. First-year progress was reported in AB InBev's 2013 Global Citizenship Report “Raising the Bar Together,” published in April.

The announcement coincides with AB InBev's 6th global celebration of the United Nations Environment Programme's World Environment Day (WED). In 2013, more than 67,000 employees led and participated in 1,043 projects around the world. This year's celebration is expected to be larger, with breweries taking part in an annual internal competition to promote best-practice sharing. Local markets will also host activities, including watershed cleanups, recycling initiatives and educational events with local partners.

“Aspiring to be the brewing industry leader in sustainable logistics helps advance our dream to be the Best Beer Company Bringing People Together For a Better World,” said Carlos Brito, CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev. “This new goal builds on our strategy to look beyond our brewery walls as we continue to drive reductions in the impact of our supply chain and pursue partnerships to improve performance globally.”

Human activity generates greenhouse gas emissions of around 50,000 mega-tons of carbon per year, and about 5.5% of that - an estimated 2,800 mega-tons - is contributed by the logistics and transport sector, according to the World Economic Forum.

The new global goal to reduce the carbon emissions in the company's logistics operations includes inbound transportation, outbound transportation and warehousing. In terms of outbound transportation, the reduction represents about 230,000 tons of carbon emissions in total. This is equivalent to the annual energy needed to power almost 21,000 homes in the U.S. The goal is measured against a 2013 baseline.

A series of new initiatives aims to reduce transportation- and logistics-related energy consumption. This includes the use of alternative fuels, smart driving tools and trucks designed to maximize efficiency. AB InBev will continue to drive collaboration with its supply chain partners to expand proven best practices like shared transportation programs already in place in the U.S. and Brazil.

A model for the new global target is the Lean & Green program sponsored in the Netherlands by Connekt, an environmental institution, and in Belgium by the Flemish Institute for Logistics. The program, which was piloted in Europe with local teams, achieved approximately 3,100 tons of emissions reductions over two years and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide output by 14,000 tons over the five-year program. These results inspired the global goal, which will drive the adoption of similar logistics improvement strategies in other countries.

2013 Global Environmental Goal Progress

In addition to the new global logistics target, AB InBev also reported progress on the global environmental goals that it aims to achieve by the end of 2017.

Water Management

Reduce water risks and improve water management in 100% of our key barley growing regions in partnership with local stakeholders.

Pilot programs are underway in all key regions.

Engage in watershed protection measures at 100% of our facilities located in key areas in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Mexico, Peru and the United States, in partnership with local stakeholders.

Started in 20% of the company's facilities.

Reduce global water usage to a leading-edge 3.2 hectoliters of water per hectoliter of production.

Reduced water use ratio to 3.35 hectoliters of water per hectoliter of production, which amounted to a 5.2% reduction over the previous year.

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Reduce global greenhouse gas emissions per hectoliter of production by 10%, including a 15% reduction per hectoliter in China.

Achieved a 3.1% reduction globally, and an 8.8% reduction in China.

Reduce global energy usage per hectoliter of production by 10%.

Achieved a 3.4% reduction in the first year.

Reach a 70% global average of eco-friendly cooler purchases annually.

Reached a 16.3% average in 2013.

Materials and Recycling

Reduce packaging materials by 100,000 tons.

Achieved a reduction of 48,000 tons, almost halfway to the goal.