''This is Forward'' places sustainability at the heart of the company's business, and sets out six key social and environmental areas where the company has a significant impact.
In each of these areas – drinks, packaging, society, water, climate and supply chain – CCEP has made a number of commitments which align with the targets underpinning the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 2019 Sustainability Stakeholder Report shows that:
- Over 98% of CCEP's primary packaging was recyclable – and 30.5% of the plastic used in packaging was recycled plastic. The firm has committed to increasing the level of recycled content in their plastic bottles to at least 50% by 2023.
- 46% of the products sold were low or no calorie, and CCEP is committed to ensuring that 50% of sales come from low and no calorie drinks by 2025.
- 100% of the electricity purchased last year came from renewable sources, and CCEP is reducing greenhouse gas emissions across their entire value chain, with a target to halve direct carbon emissions by 2025.
- The company has replenished 160% of the water used in areas of water stress. CCEP is also aiming to reduce by 20% the water use in manufacturing operations by 2025.
In 2019, the business also developed a Sustainable Packaging Office (SPO), focussed on streamlining all the technical and exploratory sustainable packaging work across geographies and accelerating their innovation in this area.
Damian Gammell, CEO, Coca-Cola European Partners said: “Our commitment to putting sustainability at the heart of our business is more important than ever. The work we are doing to reduce carbon and help our climate is critical as society seeks a sustainable recovery from the impact of the Coronavirus. The long-term role we’ve established in our communities means we will work side by side with our NGO partners, customers and community partners to rebuild as restrictions ease.
"I am proud of the progress we have made in the areas of water, carbon and packaging, but we know there is much more to do. We will continue to listen to our stakeholders, collaborate with our partners and invest in innovation, driving towards a better future for our business, for people and for the planet.”
The release of the Sustainability Stakeholder Report follows the recent publication of CCEP’s 2019 Integrated Report, which outlines progress on the comany's sustainability commitments alongside their annual financial performance.
