We will become Net Zero by 2040 at the latest

We measure and regularly report our carbon footprint according to GHG standards that categorise it into groups according to the origin of emissions, i.e., scope. Our local carbon footprint reduction plan is part of a complex mosaic of projects that will lead to Net Zero for the entire Coca-Cola HBC Group by 2040 at the latest.

The total carbon footprint of our value chain in 2023 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia was 143.02 kT CO₂ equivalent. Year-on-year, we have managed to reduce it by more than 8,000 tonnes. For the sake of completeness and comparability of the reports, it should be mentioned that we present the result for 2023 according to the updated calculation methodology, which has changed mainly for the calculation of the carbon footprint of ingredients. According to this methodology, the carbon footprint in 2022 would be 151.43 kT CO₂ equivalent.

2.6% of the carbon footprint in 2023 was represented by Scope 1 emissions, a further 2.2% by Scope 2 emissions and the full 95.2% by Scope 3 emissions.
 

How are we working to reduce our carbon footprint?

In Scope 1, primarily through the renewal of our own fleet. We have followed up on the earlier replacement of cars and vans with alternative fuel vehicles. In 2023 the most significant replacement of conventional diesel cars has yet occurred. Almost two hundred Skoda Fabia and Scala cars powered by conventional engines have been replaced by Skoda Octavia cars with Mild-Hybrid engines and automatic transmissions. These have an average 27% lower carbon footprint. In addition, we have switched to 22 fully electric cars Skoda Enyaq 80X iV and Skoda Enyaq RS Coupé. We also tested VW’s first  all-electric commercial vehicle ID.Buzz . This is used by our technicians managing the refrigeration equipment on the market. We have not fallen behind when building the charging infrastructure in Prague-Kyje, where we have installed 12 new wallboxes that will allow convenient charging of vehicles during the time spent in the production plant and offices. For the further development of electromobility, we have loaned a free electric car for a short period of time to 42 other colleagues who have driven 15,000 kilometres and shared valuable feedback with us, according to which we will adjust our next steps.

• The average fuel consumption per km in the Czech Republic was 6.08 litres of diesel or 4.34 kg of CNG per 100 km. In Slovakia, it was 6.15 litres and 4.3 kg of CNG per 100 km. In the Czech Republic, there is a slight year-on-year decrease (2022 – 6.09 l, 4.59 kg) and in Slovakia a slight increase (2022 – 5.72 l, 4.29 kg) in consumption.
• Our CO₂ emissions per kilometre travelled rose slightly from 115.25 g CO₂/km to 117.38 g CO₂/km. In 2021 it was 127.92 g CO₂/km, and in 2020 it was 142.57 g CO₂/km

Due to the complexity resulting from the applied business strategy, our fleet of 465 passenger vehicles covered 14,294,771 km, 7% more than in 2022. Therefore, we ended up consuming 853,619 litres (or kg for CNG) of fuel. This is 198,554 litres (or kg for CNG) more than in 2022.

Our own delivery vehicles covered a total of 493,836 km, consuming 21.63 l/100 km in the Czech Republic and 11.24 l/100 km in Slovakia. The higher consumption in the Czech Republic is due to the use of four larger conventionally powered cars. The other vehicles are powered by Mild-Hybrid engines.

Despite the increase in our vehicle traffic, our Scope 1 carbon footprint only increased by 1.26% year-on-year, or 47t CO₂, largely thanks to the beverage filling CO₂ elimination project, which saved 109t CO₂ in 2023. Working efficiently with our refrigeration equipment and the remaining diesel units in production has also helped.

The ratio indicator of CO₂ emissions in Scope 1 + 2 per one produced litre of beverage stopped at 15.9 g CO₂/l in 2023. This is a slight increase from 2022 – 15.3 g CO₂/l. In 2021 it was 16.34 g CO₂/l. This trend of maintaining a low carbon footprint, even as production volumes grow, is addressed by the internal Energy TOP 20 project, which is a set of measures seeking optimal solutions for energy savings in production.

We managed to keep the indicator of electricity consumption per litre of beverage produced at 0.38 MJ/l. It has fallen to less than half since 2008. As part of electricity, we took a total of 97,457,450 MJ in Prague-Kyjy and 5,247,752 MJ in Teplicích nad Metují for production. In total, we consumed 7,818,106 MJ less electricity year-on-year. All purchased electricity was certified as being from renewable sources.

The carbon footprint of the ingredients in our products is influenced by both the behaviour of our suppliers and the final mix of the beverages we sell. We are proud that our suppliers are on the path to Net Zero with us and that the resulting mix of products sold in 2023 has reduced the carbon footprint of our ingredients by 3,956 t CO2 year-on-year. A product with a lower carbon footprint may also be preferred by our consumers. For example, artificial sweeteners have a significantly lower carbon footprint than standard beet sugar or corn syrup.

We are pleased that our carrier suppliers are already adapting their fleets to reduce the carbon footprint of transporting beverages to customers. In 2023 it has decreased by 229 t CO₂ year-on-year. In addition, we again benefited from the transfer of the central warehouse directly to the production plant in Prague-Kyjy, and thanks to the acquisition of the Natura production plant in Teplice nad Metují, we have a source of spring water directly in the Czech Republic.

Water – our most precious resource

Our Natura spring water comes from the Adršpach-Teplice rocks. It has low mineralisation and meets the quality suitable for infants, making it ideal for everyday drinking. Thanks to the natural filtration of the water through the sandstone bedrock, we can practically bottle the Natura right from our source, which is about 120 m below the surface. This source is therefore a real treasure for us and we take care to protect the water in the whole Broumov region.

Our wetlands near the production plant in Prague-Kyje

We’ve become even more water-efficient in the production process

In 2023 we took 666,707,060 litres of water from VAK at our production facility in Praha-Kyje and 1,628,000 litres from VAK from our production plant in Teplice nad Metují and 54,321,000 litres from the water source for Natura water.

We help community planting in Prague 14

We actively helped natural biodiversity in the Bohemian Switzerland

The traditional volunteer day of Coca-Cola CZ employees was held in Bohemian Switzerland, where we have helped in the past years with the restoration after a large-scale fire. This time our partnership with the local park allowed us to participate in the promotion of natural biodiversity through the elimination of a non-native species – the eastern white pine.

Certifications and sustainable suppliers

At Coca-Cola HBC Czech Republic and Slovakia, we have set criteria for the evaluation of tenders, which also include aspects of social responsibility. Our suppliers are required to document one of the following audit reports: System SGP AUDIT, Unilever URSA, SMETA 6.0, AIM-Progress, SMETA 4 Pilar, GSCP Equivalent, BSCI or EICC. If suppliers do not have the aforementioned audit reports, we require EcoVadis certification.

Throughout the entire Coca-Cola HBC Group, we do not use ingredients that are genetically modified or come from genetically modified organisms in any of the 29 countries where we operate. If you are interested, you can find more information here: Genetically modified organisms.

In addition to the aforementioned RFA and AWS certifications, we are regularly audited against these environmental standards:

ISO 14 000/14 001 – Environmental management

ISO 50001 – Energy management

GAO – Sustainability and quality audit of our system

Other brands and ratings:

EKO-KOM Responsible company

SVA-SWPP – Vulnerability assessment and protection of water resources