Coca-Cola`s Water Sustainability Initiatives

Case Code: BECG090
Case Length: 23 Pages
Period: 2004-2008
Pub Date: 2009
Teaching Note: Not Available

Price: Rs.400
Organization: The Coca-Cola Company
Industry: FMCG
Countries: Global
Themes: Environmental responsibility, Sustainable development,Greenwashing

Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts

Excerpts

Coca-Cola's Environmental Issues

Coca-Cola was accused of draining the underground water table and of releasing improperly treated industrial effluents in less developed countries. The company was hit hardest in India. The focal point of the environmental accusations in India was the Coca-Cola plant located in the southern state of Kerala...

Coca-Cola & Water

In 2002, Coca-Cola initiated its water sustainability initiatives to provide local communities residing in the areas near its bottling plants with access to potable water. Since the company was facing several issues related to its environmental sustainability in India, it launched several rainwater harvesting projects in India in June 2002..

Coca-Cola's Water Stewardship Strategy

In 2007, Coca-Cola initiated a global water project that focused on reducing, recycling, and replenishing water used in the company's beverage production (Refer to Exhibit IV for Coca-Cola's global water sustainability goals)...

Criticisms

Some analysts felt that the initiatives adopted by Coca-Cola were the need of the hour and such private sector expertise and interests could make real contributions to sustainable development. They felt that the company had set an example for other organizations to follow.While its water sustainability initiatives earned Coca-Cola accolades from its collaboration partners and certain quarters, it failed largely to impress its critics. Despite several efforts by the company, it continued to face criticisms from several quarters...

Coca-Cola's Response

Coca-Cola opened an exclusive website, www.cokefacts.org, which addressed the allegations related to India and other countries. Also, the company issued an official statement rebutting the charges against its bottling plant at Plachimada...

Looking Ahead

As of 2008, Coca-Cola had successfully carried out its sustainable water management initiatives in 20 countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. In June 2007, the company had improved its water use efficiency by 18.6 percent and in the last five years, the company had decreased water consumption for beverage production by 5.6 percent. The company also planned to recycle all the water it used in its manufacturing processes and return it to the environment by 2010..

Exhibits

Exhibit I: Importance of Water to Coca-Cola
Exhibit II: Selected Financials of Coca-Cola: 2003-2007
Exhibit III: Coca-Cola's Initiatives in Other Countries
Exhibit IV: Coca-Cola's Global Water Sustainability Goals
Exhibit V: Rainwater Harvesting Projects in India
Exhibit VI: List of Awards and Recognition

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