Striking A Balance

Coca‑Cola Achieves 2020 Water Replenishment Goal

28-08-2016

At a rate of 1.9 billion servings each day, the Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC) uses about 305 billion litres of water every year. 

We set a goal to replenish, and therefore balance, the equivalent amount of water back to nature and communities by 2020. Today we can tell you we’ve hit that goal. 

Along with our global bottling partners (The Coca‑Cola System), we’re the first of Fortune 500 Company to claim to achieve such a feat. 

It has been a long and, at times, hard road for the company to travel down. Water is the main ingredient in the majority of our beverages and is used in beverage production across 207 countries. 

Australia has been a key contributor in the early achievement of the company’s global water replenishment ambitions through local initiatives such as Project Catalyst.

But we embraced the responsibility to replenish the water used to make our product offerings possible, which is why we set a global goal to balance the water used in our beverages and production by 2020. 

Looking locally

Australia has been a key contributor in the early achievement of the company’s global water replenishment ambitions.

Locally, Coca‑Cola’s water replenishment contribution is carried out via Project Catalyst, a partnership aimed at testing and promoting more sustainable sugarcane farming practices. 

These practices help to reduce agricultural pollution and improve the quality of more than 150 billion litres of water flowing into the Great Barrier Reef through the implementation of agricultural innovations, such as targeted soil analysis, digital mapping and precision farming practices in sugar cane production.

More sustainable sugarcane farming practices via Project Catalyst help to reduce agricultural pollution and improve the quality of more than 150 billion litres of water flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.

“Achieving this global milestone is a moment of pride for Coca‑Cola and our partners,” said Roberto Mercadé, Coca‑Cola South Pacific president. 

“A goal that started as an aspiration in 2007 is today a reality and, from a local perspective, we are thrilled that Australia can contribute so significantly.” 

Paving the path to the future

On the back of Project Catalyst’s success to date, The Coca‑ColaFoundation and the Australian Federal Government have both confirmed new funding for the initiative. 

As founding partner and determined supporter of Project Catalyst, Coca‑Cola Foundation will commit $655,000 in 2017, bringing the company’s total investment to AUD$5.96 million since the initiative began seven years ago.

“We are extremely proud of Project Catalyst, its achievements and the constructive relationships developed between growers and program partners, including ourselves,” said Roberto Mercade, Coca‑Cola South Pacific president.

As part of its third phase of investment under the Reef Trust, the Department of the Environment and Energy has also announced a $3 million grant for Project Catalyst to improve the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef.

“We are extremely proud of Project Catalyst, its achievements and the constructive relationships developed between growers and program partners, including ourselves,” said Roberto. 

“Responsible water use today and tomorrow remains a key focus for us – our water stewardship work is unfinished and through partnerships like Project Catalyst, we look forward to continuing this important work.” 

For more information on our global program, check out the infographic below:

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