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International Breweries publishes Maiden Sustainability Report

International Breweries Plc (IB Plc.) a proud part of the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev, has released its first Sustainability Report which discloses the giant beverage maker’s impact and stewardship on the economy, society and the environment.

International Breweries Plc (IB Plc.) a proud part of the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev, has released its first Sustainability Report which discloses the giant beverage maker’s impact and stewardship on the economy, society and the environment.

Themed “Driving Sustainability for a Better World,” the report is a reflection of the transformational journey of the organisation, highlighting its commitments, progress, challenges and opportunities in 2019. It also communicates International Breweries’ impact -positive/negative- and ultimately, contributions to building a sustainable society.

Speaking on the publication of the report, Hugo Rocha, Managing Director, International Breweries Plc. said the initiative showcases the company’s commitment to running the business responsibly, focusing on the triple-bottom line approach.

“More than just profit, we are dedicated to entrenching sustainability in our operations and ensuring that our activities positively impact our stakeholders. Our success is hinged on our commitment to our core vision of Bringing People Together for a Better World, our agile business model, core values in our 10 Principles, leadership, and strong corporate governance.

“We are proud of our commitment to our Global AB InBev 2025 Sustainability goals in Water Stewardship, Climate Action, Circular Packaging, Smart Agriculture and Smart Drinking. These form the bedrock of our sustainability programmes across our value chain as we aim to continue to contribute significantly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

“With our sustainability report, we are able to offer voluntary disclosures to our stakeholders on our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts. We also pledge, as a responsible business to continue to contribute to improving our planet, our people and the prosperity of all.”

The reporting scope primarily covers brewing activities across the company’s plants in Anambra, Ogun, Osun and Rivers, including its head office in Lagos and other states of the federation where the company extends its impact.

Speaking during the launch in Lagos, Board member and Chairman of IBPLC’s Board Committee on Sustainability and Risk Management, Olugbenga Awomolo while commending the team at the launch, stated that the report is a testament of their journey as a business and consolidation of their socio-economic footprint across entire operation.

In its commitment to its 2025 sustainability goals, the organisation in 2019 embarked on smart drinking initiatives impacting 20,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries, provided potable water for host communities in Osun, Ogun and Rivers states, achieved a 7.5 per cent increase in recycling efforts and installed a 150kWP Grid Tied Power System to support operations in its flagship brewery in Ogun state, thereby making it the first fully solar powered plant in Nigeria.

Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, Temitope Oguntokun, stated that the report was aptly titled because it is when businesses look within and outside their fences and across their value chains that they can truly create a better world.

Oguntokun further added that in line with Goal 17 of the UNSDG’s, the company is happy with its partnerships with its peers in the industry, which has helped it to have a wider-reaching impact in the country.

As part of social investment efforts, IB invested over N325 million in empowering 274 entrepreneurs since 2016 thereby bridging the unemployment gap through its Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme; completed an irrigation project for farmers of Omi-Asoro community and impacted seven farmers in Ilesha, Osun State.

The company also built, furnished and equipped a primary healthcare facility in Oginigba, Rivers State. With up to 36,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries, the N44 million project is a health facility equipped with infant incubators and warmers, nebulizer, anaesthesia machine, suction machine, delivery beds, X-ray new box, oxygen concentrator, facilities for the resident doctor, and an autoclave machine amongst others.

In furtherance of its commitment to sustainable development, IB also launched its employee volunteering initiative tagged “Better World Champions”. The initiative availed staff the opportunity to express their sense of purpose by giving back to the society. “A total of 3,154 hours of voluntary service was rendered to our communities by employees and 19,601 beneficiaries were positively impacted by the various social interventions courtesy, “Better World Champions”, the company said.

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