It feels a bit like KWF Kankerbestrijding is being sponsored by the cigarette brand Marlboro. Still, the UN climate conference, COP27, signed a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola, which environmental organizations label as the world’s biggest polluter. Campaigners are now accusing the company of ‘greenwashing‘.
The climate conference, to be held in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh from November 6-18, is the world’s premier forum for governments, businesses and environmental organizations to tackle the climate crisis.
Break free from plastica global alliance of organizations, calls Coca-Cola’s sponsorship “greenwashing,” a stamp that is put on companies that pretend to be greener and more sustainable than they actually are.
“For four years, our annual brand audits have determined that Coca-Cola is the world’s largest plastic polluter,” said Emma Priestland, coordinator of Break free from plastic. “It’s amazing that a company so connected to the fossil fuel industry can sponsor such an important climate meeting.”
Environmentalists called the collaboration madness. A petition, started by a delegate at the previous climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow, calls for an end to corporate sponsorship of the conference, starting with the removal of Coca-Cola.
Mind blow
John Hocevar, oceans campaign manager at Greenpeace USA, said it was “appalling” that Coca-Cola will sponsor the conference. He notes that the company produces 120 billion disposable bottles every year and 99 percent of the plastic is made from fossil fuels. “This exacerbates both the plastic and climate crisis,” says Hocevar. Coca-Cola has not even acknowledged that this is a problem or explained how they will meet their climate goals without ending their plastic pollution.
The cooperation agreement with Coca-Cola was signed by the Egyptian government. Speaking at the ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo, Ahmed Rady, Vice President of Coca-Cola in North Africa, said: “Coca-Cola is convinced that working together through meaningful partnerships will create joint opportunities for communities and people across the world. all over the world and in Egypt.”
Contribute
Coca-Cola says it appreciates efforts to eliminate ocean waste and raise awareness. “We’re ready to do our part and have set ambitious goals for our business, starting with helping to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every bottle we sell – no matter where it comes from – by 2030.” ‘
In 2020, the company signed a joint statement urging United Nations member states to adopt a global treaty to tackle the plastic waste problem and drastically reduce carbon emissions.
The American Greenpeace campaign manager Hocevar is cynical about this. Reducing plastic production and ending single-use plastics is in line with the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees. If Coca-Cola really wants to solve the plastic and climate crisis, it has to turn off its plastic tap.”
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