MAKING RIPPLES
THAT CAN BECOME WAVES
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Water is our most precious resource. It is essential to life – our lives, and the lives of our ecosystems and the habitats that promote biodiversity. In a world grappling with environmental challenges, addressing water scarcity is essential to protect access to clean water for communities and promote healthy ecosystems.
Of course, water is key to Coca‑Cola and our drinks. So we need to act responsibly in using it, and return clean water to nature. That is why, in Great Britain we have become more efficient in using water in our factories and replenishing water in some of the areas we operate[1].
How have we done that? Well, over a decade ago, together with The Coca‑Cola Foundation[2], The Rivers Trust, and our bottling partner, Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners, we joined forces to commit to improving quality of habitats and water bodies. We have a common purpose of conserving and enhancing freshwater environments and the partnership aims to improve water quality, reduce flood risk, store carbon, enhance habitat and biodiversity, as well as promote the health and well-being of local communities.
We identify opportunities for improvement near our areas of operation and then projects are carried out by member Trusts within The Rivers Trust movement, such as Thames21, South East Rivers Trust, Northumberland Rivers Trust, as well as partner NGOs such as Kent Wildlife Trust. These partnerships have enabled the successful delivery of nature-based solutions through local collaboration that has improved the quality and resilience of their local catchments[3].
Over the past decade this partnership has established 171 wetlands, scrapes, and ponds, crafting natural habitats for diverse wildlife populations. These wetlands not only provide safe havens for flora and fauna but also significantly enhance water quality and mitigate flood risks[4]. Together we have adopted innovative solutions designed to capture runoff, effectively diverting it from urban rivers, thereby safeguarding these vital water bodies against pollution. No one wants pollution in our rivers.
In Kent together, we took the step of restoring an ancient coastal fen, a type of peatland. This initiative aims to rejuvenate the fen's unique ecosystem, ensuring the survival of its distinctive biodiversity and securing a large expanse of precious natural heritage for future generations. We have seen the introduction of water buffalo and beavers in the area as a result! While in Norfolk, our work helps landowners to reduce their water use and adopt regenerative agricultural practices. Access to healthy, fertile land to produce crops for sustaining their livelihoods and feeding the nation is crucial, so we’re focused on encouraging sustainable farming practices with initiatives like the above to help make that happen.
This is just the start of a long journey ahead.
Globally, one of our key water stewardship goals is to return a total of 2 trillion litres of water to nature and communities globally between 2021 and 2030 - the equivalent of filling over six billion bath tubs[5]. Since 2015, we have replenished more than 100% of the water used in our finished drinks every year. One way we’re doing this is through The Living Danube - a partnership between World Wildlife Fund (WWF-CEE) and the ICPDR[6] funded by The Coca‑Cola Foundation. The River Danube is a vital lifeline in Europe, and the world’s most international river basin shared by 19 countries and over 83 million people
We will continue to tackle water issues with focus and dedication, playing our part in preserving this critical resource for future generations. Our next big project here is in and around the catchment area of our Wakefield factory, where we aim to replenish 100% of our water use by 2030 by creating wetlands and working with landowners through The Rivers Trust[7].
We recognise the role we must play in ensuring the sustainability of our communities, and water stewardship is a critical part of that. We can only be effective if we work together, and through long-standing partnerships, we continue to treat water like to precious resource it is.
[1] CCEP Integrated report, 2023
[2] The Coca Cola Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The Coca‑Cola Company.
[3] The Rivers Trust
[4] The Rivers Trust Partnership report
[5] Based on 300l bathtub
[6] International Commission for the Protection of The Danube
[7] TCCC 2022 sustainability report
