Can you talk about your company’s efforts relating to renewability, sustainability or other environmentally- friendly activities?

The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) started in 1886 and grew with a purpose to refresh the world and make a difference. As TCCC’s wholly owned bottling operations, Coca-Cola Bottling Investments Group (BIG) is guided by the same purpose in everything that we do. BIG grows our business in ways that achieve positive change in the world and build a more sustainable future for our planet, and we invest to improve people’s lives, from our employees, to all those who touch our business operations, to the communities we call home.

One of TCCC and BIG’s primary sustainability goals is to reduce its carbon emissions by 25% by 2030, compared to its 2015 baseline. To achieve this goal, we have implemented a variety of measures, such as increasing energy efficiency in our bottling facilities, sourcing renewable energy, and improving the fuel efficiency of our distribution fleet.

Another key area of focus is water stewardship. Water is essential to every person and every ecosystem in the world; it is also essential to the products we make and the agricultural ingredients we use. In 2015, TCCC became the first Fortune 500 company to replenish all water used in its global beverage production – five years ahead of plan – and has done so every year since. To continue achieving our 100% water replenishment goal, BIG maintains leading standards for water risk management, continuous water use efficiency improvement and wastewater treatment in all our bottling facilities. We have also engaged in community water projects, such as watershed protection and reforestation, to replenish water sources in areas we operate.

Our company’s sustainability efforts also extend to packaging. Our World Without Waste initiative is anchored by three fundamental goals: making 100% of our packaging recyclable globally by 2025 and using at least 50% recycled material in our packaging by 2030 (design); collecting and recycling a bottle or can for each one we sell by 2030 (collect); and bringing people together to support a healthy, debris-free environment (partner).

In addition to environmental sustainability efforts, we are also focused on social sustainability. We are committed to caring for those who make our success possible, whether through respecting human rights across our operations and supply chain, empowering access to equal opportunities, supporting more sustainable agriculture practices, or giving back to communities through our philanthropic initiatives.

As the guardian of the business, the legal function in BIG proactively drives and supports the company’s sustainability efforts by developing company policies that promote sustainability, such as environmental policies, social responsibility policies, and ethical business practices; ensuring that global sustainability initiatives comply with relevant regulations; and working with regulators to promote sustainability initiatives and help shape the regulatory environment to support sustainable business practices.

Going forward, we hope that through our efforts, TCCC and BIG will have the potential to influence other companies to prioritize sustainability and contribution to a more sustainable future.