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Coca-Cola sponsors COP27, but why is it a problem?
⚡️ Egypt, the host country of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (better known as COP27), has announced the official sponsor of the umpteenth conference to be held in the city of Sharm al-Sheikh from November 8th to the 18th.
At best, we can say that the choice is funny - to say the least. The COP27 sponsor is the American giant, Coca-Cola.
A choice denounced by Greenpeace. Explanations.
Why is it a problem that Coca-Cola sponsors the COP27?
Coca-Cola is the world’s largest plastic producer. One year ago, the company was the world’s worst plastic polluter for the fourth year in a row, according to Break Free From Plastic.
Coca-Cola produces, at minimum, a whopping 120 billion single-use plastic bottles every year.
👉 In 2019, the NGO Greenpeace published a report establishing that Coca-Cola was producing 2,981,421 tonnes of plastic per year, which was responsible for 14,907,105 tonnes of CO2 emissions (more than Pepsico and Nestlé).
To get an idea, 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels - and massively contributes to global warming, 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans every year, and only 9% of plastic waste is globally recycled.
Is Coca-Cola taking action to reduce its impact on the environment?
In a press release for COP27, Coca-Cola says that the company wants to “continue to explore opportunities to strengthen climate resilience across its operations.” This event will be “an opportunity to continue working” to transform its “value chains”.
Coca-Cola does not deny the reality of climate change, nor the need to contribute to the effort to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Coca-Cola says it has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% since 2010. It also aims to achieve 25% of reusable products by 2030, and carbon neutrality around 2040.
Coca-Cola seems perfectly aware of the magnitude of this mission and does not ignore, for example, the importance of the emissions produced by their value chain (the famous scope 3 often hidden by brands).
According to the company itself, 90% of their carbon footprint comes from their suppliers of aluminum, glass, ingredients or refrigerators. 🤯
In 2021, Coca-Cola planned to invest 250 million euros over three years:
- to support the ecological transition of its division in Europe;
- to develop renewable energies in their factories;
- to promote electric transport, and optimize their refrigerators;
- to lighten their packaging;
- to turn to 100% recycled plastic bottles.
What is the objective of the COP27 in November?
On November 2nd, 2021, the Egyptian President expressed the hope that COP27 would be “a true African conference.” The objective is to achieve real progress in climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage.
To be clear, it is about getting the financing promised by developed countries to help the African continent cope with global warming.
Moreover, it seems clear that the conclusions of the IPCC report released last April will be discussed - as well as its recommendations:
- reducing energy demand;
- leaving fossil fuels (which is very fond of plastic production);
- increasing funding to developing countries;
- developing carbon capture.
Is the choice of Coca-Cola as a sponsor really a mistake?
Yes. As the world’s largest plastic producer, Coca-Cola is not an eco-responsible company. The choice of Coca-Cola as sponsor of the COP27 is total nonsense and irony at its finest.
Coca-Cola hasn’t demonstrated any sense of urgency to mitigate their excessive use of plastic. While the company could do everything to use more environmentally friendly containers - glass, for example - Coca-Cola is dragging their feet, dithering and clinging to recycled plastic.
However, no plastic is eternally recyclable, forcing the company to look again for virgin plastic produced by others. Coca-Cola is helping to fuel a vicious circle for the production of new plastic bottles that are still generally not covered by processing channels.
The abandonment of plastic, yes. But as late as possible. Even if IPCC experts urge humankind to react immediately - otherwise, the worst is to be feared.
To remember
Let’s be clear: we are not saying that Coca-Cola does not consider the environmental issue. Objectives have been set by 2030 and 2040, and no structure is switching from one extreme to another at the snap of their fingertips.
It is important to remember this, not to discourage those who seek to start the ecological transition of their business model. Decarbonization is a long-term task and any progress deserves to be welcomed - in a world that has been built for decades around the use of non-renewable energy sources, polluting means of transport, over-consumption in all areas, etc.
In addition, it must be underlined that Coca-Cola is partially responsible for plastic pollution. But consumers who throw their waste into nature out of mere laziness, too. 😐
Whether we like it or not, the responsibility for ecological transition is a collective effort.
👉 On the other hand, we can objectively say that the actions hitherto implemented by Coca-Cola are clearly insufficient - even denote ill will - considering their resources, the magnitude of the transition to be made, and the urgency of the climate situation.
Conclusion? Let’s not wait for Coca-Cola to act and protect the environment. Let’s start now.
by
published the 5 October 2022
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