Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Achieves Carbon Neutrality In Its Karnataka Plant

* First Coca-Cola Bottling Facility In India To Secure The Prestigious Carbon Neutral Certification

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverage Pvt Ltd (HCCB), one of India’s leading FMCG companies, announces that, its bottling plant in the Bidadi Industrial Area, Ramanagara Karnataka has been certified as carbon neutral. This is the 1st bottling plant of Coca- Cola in India and Southwest Asia region, to achieve this significant milestone according to the international standard PAS 2060. The prestigious certification by DNV, the globally accredited registrar and classification society, will be issued to HCCB  in May 2024. and marks a significant step in the company’s journey towards sustainability.

This achievement aligns with HCCB’s ambition to reach Net Zero by 2050 and to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 25% by 2030 This target prioritises the reduction of   emissions across its value chain before investing in verified carbon offset projects.

Since 2020 the facility has significantly reduced its carbon footprint by sourcing over 90% of its power from renewable energy. This commitment to Energy Efficiency is evident in HCCB's efforts to optimize energy consumption for every litre of beverage produced. 

To address residual emissions at the Bidadi facility, HCCB plans to purchase the Gold Standard certified carbon credits project in India further solidifying its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2024. The company also remains dedicated to environmental stewardship through water replenishment initiatives, support for nature-based solutions, biodiversity enhancement, and promotion of regenerative agriculture in collaboration with suppliers and farmers.

In 2021, The Coca-Cola Company committed to a 25% absolute reduction in carbon emissions from its 2015 baseline and to achieving Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050 applicable across its operations globally.

Speaking about the achievement, Mr. Alok Sharma, Executive Director, Supply Chain at HCCB said,  “Achieving carbon neutrality in our plant is not only a major milestone for us but also sets new benchmarks for the industry. It’s a clear demonstration of our commitment to a sustainable future. This is just the beginning, and we are setting the stage for a greener tomorrow across our supply chain, through focused actions that can lead to impactful environmental progress.”

Mr. Enrique Ackermann, Vice President –Technical Innovation & Supply Chain Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia said, “Taking well-informed, decisive action to help address climate change is a priority for our company, we are actively looking for sustainable solutions across our value chain to build climate resilience and reduce our carbon footprint. This certification obtained by HCCB underscores our steadfast commitment to  carbon neutrality, and the dedication to forging a more sustainable future.”

In line with the Government of India's vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, HCCB's initiatives reflect a shared commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation. By aligning its goals with the national priorities, HCCB aims to not only adhere to governmental guidelines but also actively participate in a collective movement towards a more sustainable future.

About HCCB

HCCB was incorporated on 14th February 1997. Since then, HCCB has come a long way in being able to serve 25 lakh retailers, 3,500 distributors, and 6,000 employees. 250,000 farmers grow the agricultural produce that HCCB uses in making its products. The company is headquartered in Bangalore and its operations are spread in 22 states, 3 UTs, and 376 districts in South, West, and Eastern India. Through its 16 factories spread across India, it manufactures and sells 60 different products across 7 categories. Its products include some of India’s most loved beverages - Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Minute Maid, Maaza, SmartWater, Kinley, Limca, Fanta, and a lot more.