At Coca-Cola we recognise that as citizens of the world we have a role to play in shaping solutions to reduce climate change. While energy costs are a very small percentage of Coca-Cola’s overall cost base, energy use reduction and improvements in energy efficiency are key components of our business plan in Australia. Consuming less energy can reduce our emissions, and has business benefits in reducing our costs too.
Coca-Cola in Australia is a member of the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Challenge Plus program and reports annually on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reductions. We also participate in various state-based reporting programs examining energy consumption, as required.
Vending machines and coolers used to chill our drinks for consumption are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions within Coca-Cola. As a company we have committed to becoming at least 40 per cent more energy efficient in our refrigeration program by 2010 (compared to 2000). When fully implemented worldwide we estimate our new cold drink equipment program will result in us emitting (directly and indirectly) 700,000 tons less CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases than would otherwise have been emitted by sticking to the models we had in 2000. This is the equivalent of taking 150,000 cars off the road.
In addition, we’re currently working in a global partnership with Unilever, Greenpeace, McDonald’s and others to pursue adoption of HFC-free refrigeration technologies which will help to phase out use of HFCs altogether.
