Launched in June 2017, Together Towards ZERO calls for strong action in the face of complex sustainability challenges such as climate change, access to water resources and public health concerns. It consists of four major ambitions – ZERO carbon footprint, ZERO water waste, ZERO irresponsible drinking and a ZERO accidents culture – each with individual targets for 2022 and 2030 respectively.

Together Towards ZERO was developed in partnership with leading global experts, using a science-based approach. It is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and with the Paris Agreement’s more ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This year’s report provides details on progress Baltika Breweries made over the last year, and against its 2015 baseline.

Jacek Pastuszka, President of Baltika Breweries LLC, Executive Vice Executive Vice President Carlsberg Group Eastern Europe Region:
«Our company has already done a lot to reduce environmental impact, promote responsible drinking and improve health and safety. However, there is much to be achieved. The launch of the programme Together Towards Zero is a new spiral in our work, which will require from us even more efforts, engagement, out-of-the-box solutions to achieve our industry leading targets. In 2018, we will continue our efforts to ensure sustainable development and focus on the creation of roadmaps to pave the way for achieving our ambitions».

ZERO carbon footprint

In 2017, Baltika Breweries reduced relative emissions of CO2 by 6% and relative consumption of heat energy by 9% compared to 2015 baseline. 4% of total heat energy consumed by the company last year, was produced from biogas. Biogas is a by-product of wastewater treatment facilities, which Baltika uses as an alternative energy source for running boiler-houses. It allows to reduce natural gas consumption. The company will increase use of this “green” fuel as a result of new wastewater treatment facilities construction at three breweries.

One of the programme’s targets is to reduce by 30% beer-in-hand emissions by 2030. To achieve it the company strives to decrease volumes of generated waste and increase recycling. In the reporting year, Baltika Breweries continued its project “Benefit your city”, which aim is to contribute to development of separate waste collection and recycling system in Russia. The total number of containers amounted to 2.500 in more than 20 cities. The company and its partners managed to collect and send for recycling more than 55.000 tonnes of waste, including 1.500 tonnes of PET.

ZERO waste water

The company’s key project in the area in 2017 was start of the construction of wastewater treatment facilities at the sites in St Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Rostov-on-Don, where wastewater was treated at the municipal sewer systems. Only last year, total investments amounted to almost 690 mln rubles. All three complexes will have energy-saving equipment and units for collecting biogas produced during one of the treatment stages.

ZERO irresponsible drinking

On its journey towards the ambition of ZERO irresponsible drinking, Baltika Breweries aims to ensure 100% distribution of alcohol-free brews by 2022 to expand consumer choice. In the reporting year, Baltika Breweries launched production of alcohol-free beer at our brewery in Samara and enriched the range of Baltika #0 by introducing new Baltika #0 Wheat beer.

In 2017, Baltika Breweries and Russian Beer supported the initiative Global Beer Responsibility Day and continued the campaign “18+ Rules for All, Responsibilities for Everyone”. The volunteers informed employees of more than 70,000 points of sale in 120 cities about legislation and responsible sales rules. They also paid special attention of shop assistants on the extended list of documents allowing to prove consumers’ age.

ZERO accidents culture

The company’s ambition to strive for a ZERO accidents culture is measured against a reduction in the number of accidents year on year up to 2030. Baltika Breweries has undertaken measure to increase H&S at the workplace. The company focused on communication to increase employees’ awareness, introduced new more strict procedures related to work with contractors, including a number of H&S requirements by which our specialist will assess potential partners at the tender stage. 22 mln rubles were invested in improvement of H&S system, 2,098 employees successfully undergone training and passed state labour safety test, in 2017.

Economic impact

Due to the fact that Baltika’s activities are integrated into a long supply chain, its economic impact in Russia is reflected both directly and indirectly.

In 2017, the company’s average headcount was 9,000 employees. In total Baltika created directly and in related industries 90,716 jobs.

76 bn rubles was the value added generated from production and consumption of Baltika’s products.

100% of malting barley was purchased by Baltika from local producers.

Enaging with society

In the reporting year, Baltika Breweries in partnership with the Fund for regional social programmes "Our Future" launched the programme “Act without limits” providing educational and financial support to social entrepreneurs who address issues of social integration and employment of adults with disabilities. The programme included online school of social entrepreneurship. The school course was created by experts especially for social entrepreneurs addressing the problems of disable people, and is designed to help start-ups launch and develop their business, as well as to acting entrepreneurs.15 school participants successfully defended their projects. 4 out of 9 winners among start-ups were school graduates. Also the contest was held among social entrepreneurs. 8 acting social entrepreneurs from 7 regions received financial support worth more than 3 mln rubles in total, and 9 start-ups from 6 regions received 3,4 mln rubles in total.