PepsiCo wants to reduce carbon emissions in its own direct operations by 75 % within the next 10 years and by 40 % in indirect operations in its supply chain, the company said in a news release. That action will result in the reduction of more than 26 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, or the equivalent of taking more than five million cars off the road for a full year.
The corporation said its action plan to combat climate change would be comprehensive in nature, applying to agricultural processes as well as packaging, distribution and production.
The drinks giant plans to buy energy from renewable sources at wind farms in Texas and Nebraska. About a quarter of the company’s energy needs will be from renewable sources.
“Our ambitious climate goal will guide us on the steep but critical path forward — there is simply no other option but immediate and aggressive action,” said PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta.”
Fundamental decisions had to be taken as quickly as possible in the fight against climate change, he said, as the situation was fast deteriorating.
“It’s long overdue that companies move beyond just minimising their environmental impact, they must actively work to improve and regenerate the planet,” said Pepsico’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Jim Andrew.
PepsiCo operates in more than 200 countries and territories and has more than 260,000 employees – giving the initiative a truly global perspective.
PepsiCo is far from being the first company to announce plans to reduce emissions. But while energy companies and utilities were previously the prime movers in the shift to renewable sources, similar initiatives have been undertaken by a wide variety of corporations, from Google to Amazon.