HEINEKEN Mexico, GIZ, Fundación Azteca Seal 2030 Climate Pact

HEINEKEN Mexico, Fundacion Azteca, and GIZ announced a long-term strategic alliance to strengthen climate action in Mexico, with a 2030 horizon focused on ecosystem restoration, water resource management, and support for vulnerable communities. The multisector collaboration will be integrated into HEINEKEN México’s global sustainability strategy, Brindar un Mundo Mejor (Toasting for a Better World) adding Fundación Azteca’s social mobilization capacity and GIZ’s technical expertise as an international facilitator in biodiversity conservation and emissions reduction.

The partners said the alliance aims to generate direct impact on ecosystems, water resources, and communities in regions where HEINEKEN Mexico operates. Priority intervention zones include Mexico City/State of Mexico, Monterrey, Saltillo, Meoqui, and Guadalajara. These areas were selected for their ecological relevance and their connection to the company’s operations.

The collaboration will be implemented through the strengthening of two existing programs. The first, Un Nuevo Bosque para Brindar Un Mundo Mejor (A Better Forest to Toast for a Better World) is a reforestation and environmental restoration initiative led by Fundación Azteca and supported by HEINEKEN México since 2023. The program’s next phase includes the use of native trees, support for community nurseries, soil fertility restoration, and the establishment of local partnerships for long-term monitoring. The updated approach prioritizes improved water infiltration and more structured ecosystem management.

The second, Cultivadoras de Agua y Clima (Water and Climate Female Cultivators) promotes projects led primarily by Mexican women focused on water stewardship, biodiversity, and climate action. The initiative seeks to create sustainable economic opportunities at the local level. With GIZ joining the program, the partners will strengthen the measurement of social and environmental impact for each project to ensure alignment with a just transition framework in participating communities.

“At HEINEKEN México, we understand that environmental and social challenges require strong partnerships. Integrating GIZ’s technical expertise with Fundación Azteca’s community roots allows us to expand the reach of our programs, creating real value for the communities where we operate,” said Claudia de la Vega, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, HEINEKEN México. 

The alliance will be guided by five strategic lines: strengthening multisector partnerships with governments and civil society; building community capacity for climate adaptation; promoting communication and citizen participation; restoring, reforesting and managing ecosystems with a focus on water conservation; and improving livelihoods through sustainable entrepreneurship.

The partners said the cooperation model is designed to leave installed capacities in communities and to be replicable in other territories, while inviting additional public and private actors to join efforts aimed at building climate resilience in Mexico.

HEINEKEN’s Sustainability Milestones

In 2025 HEINEKEN Mexico reported progress on water efficiency, emissions reduction, and circularity targets under its sustainability strategy, part of its global EverGreen plan. According to Oriol Bonaclocha, CEO, Heineken, Mexico records the lowest water consumption per liter of beer across global brewing operations, with an average of 2.4L of water per liter produced. Globally, producing 1L of beer requires between 4L and 6L of water.

Bonaclocha said the Tecate plant, which supplies five northwestern states, became HEINEKEN’s first facility in Latin America to achieve water balance. From 2019 to 2024, it replenished 800,000cm3 of water, equivalent to 800 million L. In 2024, the company replenished 77% of the water used in water-stressed areas nationwide, while Tecate reached 100% four years ahead of schedule.

On emissions, HEINEKEN México reported a 29% reduction in CO2 across its value chain compared with 2022. Scope 1 and 2 emissions fell 33%, while Scope 3 declined between 18% and 31%. In packaging, 42% of total sales volume is in reusable formats and 98% of packaging is recyclable by design. Ninety percent of plastic can rings were made from post-consumer recycled material.

The company also reported that women now hold 30% of executive roles, meeting its 2025 target one year early, and that it invested MX$35 million (US$2.01 million) in social programs focused on reforestation, water access and entrepreneurship. The company operates seven breweries, one malting plant and 175 distribution centers in Mexico, employing more than 17,000 people.