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The escalating urgency of climate change presents an unprecedented challenge for humanity, underscoring the critical need for collective action.
The scientific consensus is clear: to avert the most severe impacts of global warming, a concerted effort to reach net zero emissions globally by 2050 is essential. This ambitious goal is vital to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which the risks to ecosystems, human health, and economies escalate dramatically.
At Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC), with our extensive footprint across Africa, we are acutely aware of our responsibility in this global endeavor. Africa, with its diverse ecosystems and economies, is particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, from prolonged droughts and extreme weather events to threats to food security and water availability. Over the past years, ECCBC has been proactive in reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout our value chain. Despite making significant progress, we recognize the need for continued and enhanced efforts to contribute to the sustainability of the communities we operate in and the health of the planet.
Levers of change
Ensure use of renewable energy where feasible
Reduce total energy consumed by our coolers by expanding solar and optimization
Incorporate electric and hybrid vehicles alternatives to our fleet
Climate change governance
At ECCBC, we recognize the imperative role governance plays in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.
Our approach to climate governance is structured to ensure informed decision-making and integrated risk management, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and responsible corporate leadership. Herein, we highlight two key components of our climate change governance strategy:
Climate risk management
In recognition of the significant risks climate change poses to our operations, supply chains, and the communities we serve, ECCBC has integrated a Climate Change Risk Card within our corporate risk management framework. This initiative involves a systematic assessment of potential climate-related risks, from direct impacts on our production processes to broader supply chain vulnerabilities and regulatory changes. By incorporating climate risks into our core risk management practices, we are better positioned to anticipate, mitigate, and adapt to these challenges, ensuring the resilience and sustainability of our business in the face of climate uncertainty.
These measures underscore ECCBC’s proactive stance on climate change governance and risk management, reflecting our dedication to playing a constructive role in the global effort to combat climate change, while ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of our business.
Energy efficiency certifications
ECCBC is deeply committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, as evidenced by our active engagement with the ISO 50001 standard for energy management systems across our operations in Africa. The majority of our plants have already achieved ISO 50001 certification, showcasing our dedication to enhancing energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and lowering operational costs.
For those facilities still on their certification journey, ECCBC is investing in employee training, infrastructure upgrades, and the implementation of rigorous energy performance tracking systems, with the aim of ensuring all plants meet this esteemed standard. This concerted effort not only reaffirms our leadership in sustainable energy management within the beverage industry but also aligns with our broader goals to minimize our carbon footprint, contribute to mitigating climate change, and promote the long-term viability of our operations through continuous improvement and investment in renewable energy initiatives.
Energy efficiency projects
Implementing energy efficiency projects across all plants is a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. These initiatives encompass a broad spectrum of strategies aimed at reducing energy consumption, cutting carbon emissions, and optimizing production process efficiency. Key measures include upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, optimizing refrigeration systems, and introducing variable speed drives for machinery, allowing energy use to be precisely matched with demand. Additionally, comprehensive energy audits are regularly conducted to identify further opportunities for efficiency improvements. Investing in advanced technologies and promoting a culture of energy conservation among our workforce are pivotal aspects of our strategy. Through these efforts, we are not only reducing our environmental impact but also enhancing the economic sustainability of our operations, underscoring our leadership in driving sustainable practices within the beverage industry
Solar coolers pilot Morocco
ECCBC has initiated a forward-thinking pilot project in Morocco, introducing solar-powered coolers at select sales locations to minimize energy usage. This effort aims to assess and extend solar refrigeration technology within our distribution network, facilitating the replacement of outdated cooling equipment and achieving a substantial reduction in energy consumption. This initiative directly contributes to ECCBC’s climate action targets, demonstrating our commitment to integrating renewable energy solutions into our operations. By adopting solar-powered cooling, ECCBC enhances operational efficiency and profitability across various markets, underscoring our leadership in renewable technology adoption and management within the African continent. This project not only positions ECCBC as a frontrunner in the Coca-Cola system’s environmental efforts but also significantly lowers our carbon footprint. Furthermore, it bolsters economic development in communities by offering off-grid sales points and access to cutting-edge technology, highlighting ECCBC’s dedication to innovative, eco-friendly business practices.
Our Decarbonation Journey
Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) has undertaken a critical journey in collaboration with PwC to comprehensively assess our carbon footprint, encompassing all three scopes of emissions, and to craft our inaugural roadmap for carbon emissions reduction. This significant endeavor has enabled us, at the group level, to precisely delineate our opportunities and challenges as we advance towards our ambitious carbon reduction targets.
This meticulous study laid the foundation for the subsequent phase, which involved the formulation of tailored roadmaps for each of our business units. These roadmaps are crafted to address the specific emissions profiles and operational nuances of each unit, thereby ensuring targeted and effective strategies for carbon mitigation. In addition, the study proffered strategies for carbon compensation, which are integral to our overall approach to achieving our carbon neutrality objectives.
Through this dual-phased study, ECCBC has not only deepened its understanding of its environmental impact but has also positioned itself to take decisive, informed action towards decarbonization. By establishing a clear strategy that encompasses both emissions reduction and carbon offsetting, ECCBC demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable business model and its leadership role in the transition towards a low-carbon economy in the beverage industry.
ECCBC Carbon Roadmap 2030
Phase 1: Initial Assessment and Roadmap Development
In this initial phase, ECCBC, together with PwC, conducted an extensive analysis of our carbon footprint. This assessment covered Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy), and Scope 3 (all other indirect emissions in our value chain). The outcome was our first carbon reduction roadmap, which outlines the broader vision and sets out clear targets for ECCBC at the group level.
Phase 2: Tailored Roadmaps
Building on the insights gained, the second phase focused on the development of specific roadmaps for each business unit within ECCBC. These roadmaps are tailored to address the distinct operational characteristics and emissions profiles of each unit, providing a customized strategy for emission reduction.
By compartmentalizing our decarbonization strategy into these detailed phases, ECCBC ensures that each aspect of our carbon footprint is addressed thoughtfully and effectively. This phased approach empowers us to not only meet our current carbon reduction goals but also to set the stage for continuous improvement and sustainable growth in the future.
Exploration of energy mix including Renewable Energies
At ECCBC, we are steadfast in our commitment to environmental sustainability, which compels us to continually evaluate our operational practices. Central to this commitment is the strategic exploration of our energy mix, emphasizing the potential integration of renewable energy sources.
As part of our ongoing sustainability initiatives, we are actively investigating the feasibility of incorporating solar photovoltaic systems and other renewable technologies across our operations. This exploration is conducted with the aim of reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy sources and minimizing our carbon footprint.
Moreover, ECCBC is engaging with both local and global experts in renewable energy to assess the most effective and sustainable energy solutions that align with our business objectives and environmental commitments. These efforts are critical as we move towards a more sustainable operational model that supports our long-term goal of achieving a net-zero impact.
