COCA-COLA HBC SETS OUT NEW SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS SUPPORTING ITS PURPOSE TO INSPIRE A BETTER FUTURE
5 October 2016
COCA-COLA HBC SETS OUT NEW SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS SUPPORTING ITS PURPOSE TO INSPIRE A BETTER FUTURE
Coca-Cola HBC, ranked global beverage industry sustainability leader by Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) earlier this month, have announced their new sustainability targets.
By 2020 the company commits to:
- Take 40% of the total energy used from renewable and clean energy sources
- Recover for recycling 40% on average of total packaging placed on our markets
- Source 20% of the total PET used from recycled PET and/or PET from renewable material
- Reduce the amount of primary packaging by 25% per litre of beverage produced
- Certify over 95% of key agricultural ingredients against the Coca-Cola system’s Sustainable Agricultural Guiding Principles
- Invest 2% of its annual pre-tax profit in communities
- Double the number of employees taking part in volunteering initiatives during work time to 10%
The seven new targets build on the initial 2020 commitments announced last year to reduce water and direct carbon emission intensity[1] of the company by 30% and 50% respectively.
In the last couple of years, Coca-Cola HBC reduced its water usage by 2.1 billion litres, equivalent to a glass of water to everyone on Earth. In the last five years, the global carbon footprint of its products was reduced by 1.07 million tonnes as a result of investing in energy efficient and low-carbon technologies. This is comparable to the total annual greenhouse gas emissions of over 200,000 passenger cars.
In 2015, the company invested €8.2 million – 2.3 % of its pre-tax profit – to support community wellbeing, environmental, water stewardship and youth development, partnering with more than 230 NGOs.
Dimitris Lois, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC, said: “The ambitious targets we announce today reflect our commitment to inspire a better future for our people and the communities we serve. These are part of our overall strategy that established Coca-Cola HBC as a leader in sustainability among beverage companies, and show that we are determined to grow our business responsibly, profitably and sustainably.”
A product for everyone, for every occasion – choice and innovative packaging
People consume our products every day in the 28 countries, where Coca-Cola HBC operates. The company offers a variety of soft drinks, juice and water products to serve the changing consumer needs. Coca-Cola HBC offers one of the most diverse product portfolios to consumers with close to one third of sales in 2015 coming from juices, waters and ready-to-drink tea, compared to 10% in 2001. The company sales of juice products grew by 8% in 2015. Low and no calorie sparkling soft drinks account for 7% of total sales, growing at a high rate, contributing 25% of additional volume sold in 2015.
Coca-Cola HBC also focuses on offering its drinks in innovative packaging. By employing state-of-the-art technologies, they have introduced bottles which contain more than 50% recycled material. Further, the “Twist” bottles are 22% lighter than previous containers. PLANTBottle usage significantly increased by an outstanding 254% last year. PLANTBottles contain 30% plant based material, and are fully recyclable. They are now available in 10 of the 28 markets where Coca-Cola HBC operates, and more will be joining next year.
2015 key performance highlights:
- 33.311 employees
- 43.000 suppliers
- €1.3 billion spent in direct procurement
- €271 million total taxes paid
- 11.7 % direct carbon emissions reduction year-on-year
- Energy use ratio improved by 7.2% year-on-year
- 19.4% increase of recycled PET usage year-on-year
- 87% sustainable engagement score
[1] Water consumption and direct carbon emissions per litre of beverage produced, versus 2010.