Coca-Cola's 2020 goals

By 2020 Coca-Cola will have improved the water efficiency of its drinks by 25% per litre, under its new sustainability targets

The company also aims to reduce the carbon emissions associated with its products by 25%.

The firm’s new goals have been developed in partnership with conservation charity WWF and will apply not only to its own operations but those of its close to 300 bottling companies in 200 countries.

Coca-Cola will also continue to work with WWF to ensure it is sourcing the main ingredients for its products – such as palm oil, sugar cane and soy – from sustainable sources.

The drinks maker has also reaffirmed its pledge to replenish all the water used in its industrial processes by 2020 – currently it has achieved 52% in 468 projects. Plans to recover 75% of the cans and bottles containing its drinks by the end of the decade were also announced.

“As we face a resource-stressed world with growing global demands on food and water, we must seek solutions that drive mutual benefit for business, communities and nature,” said Coca-Cola’s chief executive, Muhtar Kent.