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Coca Cola Extends Partnership with WWF on Global Climate Protection Initiatives

by Climate Weekly – Nov. 18, 2008

The Coca-Cola Company is extending its partnership through 2012 with the Worldwide Wildlife Fund (WWF) to improve water efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across its operations. The partnership, which began in 2007 with $20 million in funding and will run on an additional $3.75 million from the company, will focus on climate protection strategies and freshwater basin conservation.

Climate Savers

The Coca-Cola Company is a member of the WWF's Climate Savers program, which seeks to involve leading corporations in making significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The group seeks to cut cut carbon emissions by 14 million tons per year by 2010.

"Our sustainability as a business demands a relentless focus on efficiency in our use of natural resources. These performance targets are one way we are engaging to improve our management of water and energy," said Muhtar Kent, president and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company.

Coke Plan Specifics

According to the company, in addition to focusing on freshwater conservation and climate protection, it will focus on supply chain sustainability and water efficiency. Initially, the sustainability practice will concentrate on sugarcane production by establishing standards, evaulating suppliers, and setting goals for sugar purchases. It also said that next year it will announce two more commoditities on which it will work to improve sustainable agricultural practices.

The company also has plans to bolster its water efficiency by 20 percent by 2012, a goal it says will cut its water usage by about 50 billion liters.