Coca-Cola Enterprises aims to reduce carbon footprint by 15 percent by 2020

Sustainable packaging is seen as a key part of program's goals

-- Packaging Digest, 7/23/2009 9:57:00 AM

Coca-Cola Enterprises, the largest nonalcoholic bottler in the world, has announced that it has set goals for its five strategic Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS) focus areas and has committed to achieving these goals by the year 2020 – what the company is calling “Commitment 2020.”

“Even during difficult economic times, our commitment to CRS has never been stronger, and our quantifiable Commitment 2020 goals demonstrate the progress we are making on our journey,” said John F. Brock, chairman and chief executive officer. “We have been recognized as a CRS leader in the global Coca-Cola system, and by embedding CRS into every aspect of our business, we are working to meet or exceed the expectations of our retail customers and consumers.”

CCE also reiterated its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Leaders program, an industry-government partnership that works to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. As a partner in the EPA Climate Leaders, CCE has pledged to reduce its company-wide greenhouse gas emissions and will annually report its progress to the EPA.

Commitment 2020 Goals

CCE’s Commitment 2020 goals for its five strategic CRS focus areas are:

Energy Conservation/Climate Change
Reduce the overall carbon footprint of business operations by 15 percent by 2020, as compared to 2007 baseline.
 
Water Stewardship
Establish a water-sustainable operation in which the company minimizes water use and has a water-neutral impact on the local communities in which it operates, by safely returning the amount of water equivalent to what is used in beverages and their production to these local communities.

Sustainable Packaging/Recycling
Reduce the impact of packaging; maximize use of renewable, reusable, and recyclable resources; and recover the equivalent of 100 percent of packaging.

Product Portfolio/Well-Being
Provide refreshing beverages for every lifestyle and occasion, while helping consumers make informed beverage choices.

Diverse and Inclusive Culture
Create a culture where diversity is valued, every employee is a respected member of the team, and the company’s workforce is a reflection of the communities in it operates.

CRS Report
CCE’s fourth company-wide CRS Report provides a comprehensive look at the company’s commitment to being a sustainable business partner in the communities in which it operates. To access CCE’s Report online, please visit http://www.cokecce.com/assets/uploaded_files/FINAL_CCE_2008_CRSReport_lowres.pdf. Comments and feedback related to the Report are welcome at crs@cokecce.com.

Source: Coca-Cola Enterprises