Coca-Cola unveils ambitious environmental goals for greener future

USA – The Coca-Cola Company has announced an overhaul of its environmental goals, extending its timeline to 2035 and introducing ambitious new targets aimed at addressing water security, packaging waste, and emissions.

This strategic update reflects insights gained from decades of sustainability efforts, with a renewed focus on collaboration and innovation. 

Bea Perez, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Communications, Sustainability & Strategic Partnerships Officer, emphasized the need for collective action.

“These challenges are complex and require us to drive more effective and efficient resource allocation and work collaboratively with partners to deliver lasting positive impact,” Perez said. 

Key environmental goals for 2035

Water stewardship 

Coca-Cola aims to replenish 100% of the water used in its finished products globally and return the total water used in over 200 high-risk locations to nature and communities.

The company has met or exceeded this target since 2015 and will reassess its water risk profile within five years to ensure investments align with improving water security. 

The strategy includes promoting water efficiency, treating and returning safe water to communities, and partnering with stakeholders to enhance water stewardship. 

Sustainable packaging

Coca-Cola’s updated packaging strategy emphasizes reducing waste and boosting the use of recycled materials across its product lines.

A key component of this initiative is the company’s goal to incorporate 35% to 40% recycled content in its primary packaging, which includes plastic, glass, and aluminum containers.

This shift aims to minimize reliance on virgin materials and lower the carbon footprint associated with packaging production. 

In addition to enhancing recyclability, Coca-Cola is committed to improving collection rates. The company plans to recover 70% to 75% of the bottles and cans it introduces into the market each year.

Achieving this target will require investments in collection infrastructure, partnerships with local governments, and advocacy for supportive policies.

By focusing on both design improvements and efficient waste recovery, Coca-Cola aims to create a circular economy for its packaging.

Efforts will center on designing recyclable packaging, investing in refillable formats, and advocating for policies that support collection infrastructure. “Design and Partner to Collect” will be key pillars driving these initiatives.

Reducing emissions

Aligned with a 1.5°C climate trajectory, Coca-Cola aims to cut Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2035, using 2019 as a baseline.

This target excludes newly acquired businesses, which will be integrated over time. Achieving this requires investments in renewable energy, innovative technologies, and partnerships with bottlers and suppliers to reduce indirect emissions.

Ongoing sustainability commitments

While the company will no longer maintain a specific goal for agriculture, it remains committed to sustainable sourcing practices.

These include reducing water use and emissions, preventing deforestation, and conserving high-risk areas in the supply chain.

Coca-Cola will continue to report annually on its sustainability progress and adjust its strategy based on new insights and stakeholder needs.

“We know we will have more chapters in our journey and that we can’t do it alone,” Perez

added.

“Continued collaboration, targeted investments, and well-designed policies are crucial to help create shared value for all.”

This revamped strategy highlights Coca-Cola’s dedication to building resilience and fostering a greener future through innovation, partnerships, and responsible resource management.

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