Coca-Cola rejuvenates a decade of water stewardship in India

On World Water Day, Coca-Cola reinforces its commitment to water management, conservation, and replenishment, particularly across India's water distressed regions. With interventions spanning over a decade, Anandana - The Coca-Cola India Foundation has successfully deployed innovative water stewardship strategies for sustainable development and inclusive growth in rural India to contribute towards the socio-economic upliftment of communities at large. The pioneering commitment that the company made in 2007 to replenish 100% water used in its operations is today. On World Water Day, Coca-Cola has pledged to emerge stronger and further support thenation'ss priorities around preserving Jal Shakti (water power) and saving every drop of water.

With its inception in 2010, Coca-ColaIndia'ss water stewardship journey in India began as a forward-looking endeavor to build a successful and resilient business that adds value to the communities and restores the ecosystem where it operates.

With meaningful collaborations with its bottling partners, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organization (CSOs), and community members, the foundation has made contributions through key water projects for the holistic development of communities distressed regions across India. While these projects focus on addressing the challenges due to water scarcity, they have also paid special attention to community participation, focusing on women empowerment, who often reach supervisory roles in the village "Pani Samiti" (water committees) to ensure maintenance and sustainability of community water projects. With expansive interventions, the company has been able to bring well-being through a water strategy that focuses on the four-pronged strategy of reduce, reuse, recycle and replenish.

Coca-Cola's journey of water stewardship in India

• The water usage ratio reduced from 2.89 liters of water used per liter of beverage in 2009 to 1.74 liters used in 2019 due to continuous process improvements in operations.

• Water replenishment potential of 25.1 billion liters through bottling operations and Coca-Cola India Foundation (CCIF/Anandana)

• Replenishment of more than 200% of the water used in operations

• More than 500 water replenishment projects across the country

• Benefitted over 1 million villagers or community members

The company is on track to achieve tailored targets that reflect global trends linked to community sustainability, climate change, and water security for all. As the company continues to evolve and align its sustainability efforts to national priorities, Anandana has extended its commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth by diversifying its focus on issues relating to the environment, healthy living, and social development. Today, the Foundation pioneers waste management interventions, biodiversity, nutrition support, healthcare, and socio-economic development.

According to Coca-Cola, in India, the company has been able to create a significant and positive impact, setting up 500 water replenishment structures with a potential of replenishing 25.1 billion liters of water which has further benefitted more than 1 million community members.

The Coca-Cola India Foundation, a company registered under Section 25 of the companies' Act, is committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth by focusing on areas that aim to create a better and healthy society and a strong and resolute India by enabling the common man to better his or her life. To promote the foundation's objectives, monetary grants and other assistance are provided to NGOs, beneficiary organizations, cooperatives, philanthropies, and others who can be suitable partners in implementing projects for social welfare across the country.