Coca-Cola, long a target of environmental groups over its water use, made a new commitment Tuesday to lessen its impact on the Earth. Included are new reductions in water usage and a goal of cutting its carbon footprint by 25 percent over the next eight years.
In a joint announcement with the World Wildlife Fund, the Atlanta-based beverage giant said it plans to improve water efficiency by 25 percent and will work with the WWF on joint conservation efforts in 11 key global regions, including the Amazon, Rio Grande and Yangtze river basins.
Coca-Cola's commitment also includes sustainably sourcing key ingredients, including sugarcane, corn, tea, coffee and paper fiber, the company said.
“Increasingly, businesses, government and communities are really beginning to understand that we have some very, very serious challenges around fresh water,” said Jeff Seabright, vice president of environment and water resources for Coca-Cola. “It’s estimated that by 2025, fully two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-stressed areas. But collaborations like this can help us manage this precious resource.”
Coca-Cola’s announcement comes as the beverage maker continues to face off with critics in some areas of the globe over water use. Village councils in eastern India, for instance, recently opposed plans to expand a Mehdiganj bottling plant because of allegations the facility is partly responsible for drying up wells and ponds, according to the India Resource Center.
Critics charge Coca-Cola’s commitment to the environment amounts to little more than window dressing.
“They have a history of rolling out programs that are trying to get in front of criticism or in response to a criticism,” said Jesse Bragg, spokesman for the Boston-based environmental advocacy group Corporate Accountability International.
But Carter Roberts, the WWF’s president and chief executive officer, said Coca-Cola’s commitment is real. He said the environmental group has been working with the company since 2000 and their partnership has helped convince other companies, governments and advocacy organizations to address the problem.
“Part of the value of our brand is the third-party affirmation that the progress we are making is real,” he said.
