Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has pledged to reduce the number of calories across its beverage portfolio by 10% and halve its carbon footprint in five years, as part of the bottler’s most ambitious sustainability targets yet.
Its annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability report sets out key areas where the firm could improve its approach to well-being, the environment and employability. CCE claimed that the goals were set to “provide a strong response to stakeholder feedback”.
The company will also pursue:
A 40% increase in the amount of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging that is either recycled or sourced from renewable materials.
Commitments to encouraging people to be physically active, targeting three million people across its territories.
A program of supporting the skills development and learning needs of 250,000 young people each year.
CCE has already recorded a 29% reduction in its carbon footprint in absolute terms since 2007, and the proportion of recycled or renewable PET that it uses in its packaging has grown.
CCE chairman and CEO John F Brock said: “Ten years into our sustainability journey, we are proud of our achievements but we know that there is still much more to do. Our new commitments embrace both environmental and social issues – with a stronger focus than ever before on promoting the well-being of our consumers. If we want to build a long-term sustainable business, there’s no room for complacency and these ambitious targets reflect our desire to take a lead in our industry when it comes to sustainability.”
CCE director of corporate responsibility and sustainability Joe Franses added: “Our new commitments have been heavily shaped by the expectations of our stakeholders – we listened, and their feedback has helped us set new and more challenging goals, particularly around well-being and carbon. This isn’t just another report – it’s a milestone and an opportunity to make a real difference.”
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