The relationship between Coca-Cola and water has always been at the centre of the sustainability debate. This is no coincidence: water is the main ingredient in all its beverages and, at the same time, an increasingly scarce resource in many regions of the world. That is why the company has made water management a strategic priority within its sustainability programmes. Through its approach to Water StewardshipCoca-Cola seeks to ensure more efficient use, return part of the water used to the environment, and work with local communities to reduce water risks.
How many litres of water are needed to produce Coca-Cola?
One of the most frequently asked questions when discussing sustainability in the beverage industry is: How many litres of water are needed to produce Coca-Cola? For years, the figure hovered around three litres of water for every litre of final productHowever, thanks to the implementation of new technologies and water efficiency strategies, the company has managed to significantly reduce this proportion, to the point where it now uses only 1.76 litres of water for every litre of Coca-Cola, 1 litre in the drink and 0.76 litres in the process.
Today, the challenge is not only to continue improving that ratio, but to do so in contexts of water stress, where every drop counts. This effort is part of a broader movement in which many companies are measuring their water footprint to move towards more responsible production that is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Coca-Cola and pollution: myths and realities
The relationship between Coca-Cola and pollution has been the subject of debate for years. In different countries, social and environmental organisations have criticised the company for its intensive water consumption and the impact this could have on local aquifers. This criticism has put the focus not only on Coca-Cola, but to the entire beverage industry, forcing companies to rethink how they manage such a sensitive resource.
In response, the multinational has invested in improving its wastewater treatment systems and in programmes that seek to return clean water to the basins where it operates. Today, practically 100% of the water used in its processes undergoes treatment before being returned to the environment., thereby reducing their pollution footprint. Although challenges remain, these efforts show a clear shift towards more responsible production models.
This is where the idea of class actionsIn field projects, diffuse pollution, such as that from agriculture, is also a critical challenge. Since Agrow AnalyticsWe work alongside farmers and large corporations to develop projects that reduce water footprints and improve water quality in specific river basins. Just as Coca-Cola has decided to take a leading role in sustainability in relation to water consumption and pollution, our approach consists of demonstrating that collaboration between businesses and local areas can generate benefits for both businesses and local communities.
Coca-Cola Water Stewardship Strategies
Coca-Cola has structured a global strategy clear to ensure water security for your business, for communities and for nature. Your strategy for 2030, called Water Security Strategy is focused on accelerating key actions: achieving water use 100% circular or regenerative in its priority facilities (‘leadership’ facilities) by that date..
Furthermore, since 2015, the company has managed to return at least 100% of the water used in finished products to nature and communities at an aggregate level. And it has committed to achieving this full restitution in more than 200 locations at high risk of water scarcity of its entire system by 2035.
With regard to the operational management in critical areasCoca-Cola has established specific goals under its programme. Mission 2025. Among them, reducing water consumption per litre of beverage by one 20% compared to 2017 at plants located in areas at risk of water scarcity. It also includes initiatives such as wastewater reuse, vulnerability assessment of water sources at 100% of plants, collaboration with suppliers to minimise water footprint, and certifications (such as Alliance for Water Stewardship or ISO 46001) to ensure efficient resource management.
A critical component is the approach based on basins and territoriesCoca-Cola works with NGOs and local partners to develop watershed health plans in about 60 basins identified as strategic for 2030. This involves assessing water risks, involve local stakeholders and to develop interventions contextual and sustainable.
For example, in Pakistan, she collaborated with WWF to design a plan to restore the water resources based on local data and sustainability goals. In Turkey (basin of Bursa), implementó improvements in the efficiency of irrigation, filtration through reforestation and water harvesting, for the benefit of farming communities; while in California, have been proposed projects of restoration of meadows and fire management to improve the health of the watershed of the Sacramento river.
Connection with Agrow Analytics
The strategy Water Stewardship Coca-Cola focuses on plans of cuenca, partnerships with local actors, and the application of natural solutions and technology to reduce water risks. This territorial approach based on data, collaborations and projects-context is fully replicable in the agricultural field.
Here is where Agrow Analytics provides a value differential:
- Territorial projects of restoration nature, designed in conjunction with local farmers and corporations, Agrow implements projects adapted to areas with water stress in different parts of the world with the aim of restoring the ecosystem from a territorial approach based on AI.
- Natural solutions and regenerative: implementation of efficient watering, groundcovers, soil restoration and management of agricultural basins.
- Public-private partnership: projects funded by large corporations that are embodied in the territory through working with farmers.
As well as Coca-Cola manages to return water to nature and communities through projects of basin, Agrow Analytics moves these global principles to the agricultural sector regionalbecoming a strategic partner for companies seeking to offset their water footprint of a tangible, measurable and positive impact on the territory.
Conclusions
The case of Coca-Cola shows how a multinational can go from wondering how to sustainably manage the resources in their production process to become regarding water management responsible. Your strategy Water Stewardship based on the efficiency, the restitution of the resource and collaboration with communities and local organizations. The data reflect significant progress: reducing the consumption per litre of product, treatment of 100 % of the water used and projects of basin in more than 60 territories strategic.
However, the challenge does not end here. The water crisis global requires that more and more companies adopt this type of approach, adapted to their local contexts and value chains. What is relevant is not only save water, but to ensure that the communities and ecosystems in which they operate to be able to maintain their resilience over time.
At this point, Agrow Analytics plays an essential role: to lead the global principles of Water Stewardship the agricultural land in different parts of the world through projects funded by corporations and executed with local farmers, we demonstrate that it is possible to convert the theory into concrete actions that reduce the water stress, regenerate ecosystems and create a positive social impact. The conclusion is clear: the sustainable management of water is not a “nice to have”but the foundation of the future of business and community.