Cadbury Schweppes launches

Cadbury Schweppes plc. unveils its environmental strategy designed to transform the company s manufacturing processes and assets, minimising the use of energy, packaging and water in response to the challenge of climate change.
Central to the strategy "Purple goes green" is the adoption of absolute rather than relative targets for carbon emission reductions - a fundamental shift and a first from the UK food manufacturing industry. This reinforces the recent moves by a number of retail and service sector companies and adds considerable momentum to the growing consensus for absolute measures.


Cadbury Schweppes has pledged a 50% reduction of net absolute carbon emissions by 2020 aiming to reduce not just the relative energy intensity of its global operations but also its absolute carbon emissions through a balanced programme of "saving, switching and, as a last resort, off-setting". In order to focus its strategy, Cadbury Schweppes has set the following targets: 50% reduction of net absolute carbon emissions by 2020 - with a minimum of 30% from in-company actions; 10% reduction in packaging used per tonne of product and 25% in the more highly packaged seasonal and gifting items; use more environmentally sustainable forms of packaging - aim for 60% biodegradable, with 100% of secondary packaging being recyclable. Furthermore, all water scarce sites have got water reduction programmes in place.


In addition to making its own commitments, the company will be looking to forge alliances and positively influence others within its value chain to put climate change onto the agenda. Starting with its own people, Cadbury Schweppes will be encouraging green activism within the company, with employees empowered to take action, press for change and create a culture of environmental consciousness. "Purple goes Green" start-up packs including environmental information and tips about how to take action today are being made available to employees to help make a difference.