Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has launched a £56m investment plan to bolster the sustainability of its UK operations, after concluding its research partnership with Cranfield University.
The publication of a second white paper forms the final part of a year-long research project with the UK-based institution, which has uncovered five pathways to achieving a more sustainable manufacturing industry by 2050.
CCE has established an operational investment plan as a result of the findings, accelerating its journey towards sustainability in Great Britain and increasing total investment to £356m over the last six years.
The five pathways range from using data to anticipate the future and providing nutrition, to sharing the benefits of sustainability through co-creation and collaboration, inspiring the next generation to become interested in manufacturing as a means of addressing the sector’s skills shortage, and joining forces with other industry stakeholders to drive change on a variety of issues.
Steve Adams, group director of supply chain operations for Coca-Cola Enterprises GB, said: “Our research with Cranfield University has revealed valuable insights on how sustainability will evolve across the food and drink supply chain. Identifying five key pathways and suggested actions to support the sustainable journey to 2050 and beyond, is helping us shape how we think about the future of our own business. We’re excited to already be putting these actions into practice and have today launched a £56m investment plan as we continue our commitment to sustainable local manufacturing here in GB.
Leadership by both individuals and organisations feature strongly as a core theme throughout the research. We hope others will embrace these pathways and visions for the future to help shape and transform the future of the sector towards more sustainable manufacturing.”
Mark Jolly, professor of sustainable manufacturing at Cranfield University, added: “This joint research project between Coca-Cola Enterprises and Cranfield University has been a fascinating exploration of how the food and drink industry can truly embrace sustainable manufacturing in the future. We’ve unearthed five pathways, with specific actions that businesses can apply which will truly impact not only their own organisations, but their employees, their consumers, their customers and the wider society in which they operate.”
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