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Coca-Cola HBC named as one of the top “Climate-conscious companies in Switzerland” by BILANZ, LeTemps & Statista

Together with Le Temps and the market researchers from Statista, BILANZ has been looking for the most climate-friendly companies in Switzerland - and has found them. The newly published ranking shows Coca-Cola HBC has been ranked among the top “Climate-conscious companies in Switzerland 2021”. This is also down to a range of pioneering sustainability initiatives of Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland.

Coca-Cola HBC has been ranked among the top “Climate-conscious companies in Switzerland 2021” by the media publications BILANZ, LeTemps and the statistics company Statista. After reviewing greenhouse gas emission reductions of 300 companies based in Switzerland, the published ranking places Coca-Cola HBC in the top 10%. Various sustainability initiatives in Switzerland contributed to the good result.

Initiatives for the climate at Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland

In 2020, Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland drew up a comprehensive CO₂ footprint assessment that included factors ranging from our ingredients to the disposal of our packaging. We then used this assessment to define targeted measures to reduce emissions. Our holistic climate strategy made it possible for us to become the first beverage company in Switzerland to receive the “CO₂ Optimised” certification from Swiss Climate.

But that’s not all, as we are in the process of developing "Science Based Targets (SBT)" in the course of this year. By 2022, we will define binding targets and start with their implementation. With this scientific approach, we can further advance CO₂ reduction in a manner that is in line with global climate objectives.

We obtain all the electricity needed for our bottling plants from renewable sources. One way in which we accomplish this goal is by using the roof of our production building in Vals as the stage for a photovoltaic system. The solar power produced there corresponds to the energy requirements of approx. 64 households. That allows us to contribute to the electricity grid of the municipality while helping the village preserve its historic appearance, which is under local heritage protection.

The project is a world premiere: VALSER is the first and the only beverage company in the world so far to use CO₂ from the air, supporting a pioneering technology to protect our climate. The ETH spin-off Climeworks uses a patented filter to remove CO₂ from the air at its facility in Hinwil (Zurich) and prepares it for reuse in our beverages.

VALSER became the first mineral water in Switzerland to be awarded as “climate-neutral” by Swiss Climate. VALSER calculates the CO₂ emissions of all its beverages, from extraction of the spring water to sale of the beverage to consumers. In cooperation with Swiss Climate, the company is continuously reducing its CO₂ emissions. Emissions that cannot be avoided are offset in high-quality climate projects. 

Whenever possible, we try to shorten the transport routes of our beverages and use rail transport. By working with our logistics partners SBB Cargo and Camion Transport, we also reduce the indirect CO₂ emissions of our business activities. 

We operate Switzerland’s largest green fleet, consisting of both gas hybrid vehicles and electric cars. This allows us to achieve fuel savings and CO₂ reduction of 25 to 30%, corresponding to around 250 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

More information on our activities can be found under the Sustainability section.