What steps are companies taking towards climate neutrality and what are the state’s priorities in this regard? How to build an effective and efficient deposit system for the benefit of the environment, consumers, and business? What is the significance of pro-environmental EU legislation for beverage producers and consumers in Poland? These issues were at the centre of attention of the participants in the debate “Cooperation of the state and business on the way to achieving sustainable development goals” during the Economic Forum in Karpacz.
Business is active
Katarzyna Borucka, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at Coca-Cola HBC Poland and the Baltics, emphasised, among other things, that business sets itself specific goals and creates concrete plans to achieve them. – “As a Coca-Cola system, we have set ourselves a very defined sustainability agenda. Its key area is achieving climate neutrality by 2040. Important part of this strategy is, for example, closing the loop of the packaging cycle as this accounts for 36% of CO2 emissions in our operations”, said Katarzyna Borucka during the panel.
She added that business needs the support and collaboration of many stakeholders in these activities. – “We can distinguish two areas here. The first is an activity that we have a direct influence on, such as the use of renewable energy. Actually, 100% of energy for our plants come from renewable sources. It is also the replacement of point-of-sale coolers, thanks to which we have reduced CO2 emissions by more than 60% in the last five years, and, in addition, the development of a low-emission fleet”, mentioned Katarzyna Borucka. – “As much as 90% of our emissions arise where we have no direct influence. This applies to packaging, for example. The deposit system is intended to help us close the loop of their circulation, so we are advocating for the state to support us in these areas by providing appropriate implementing legislation that takes into account the challenges we face, including the very short time to implement the system”, she added.
As Konrad Nowakowski, President of the Polish Chamber of Packaging Recovery and Recycling, pointed out, the challenge for the state or the entire European Union is to move economies from the current situation to a sustainable, zero-carbon path. – “There are a number of good companies that are involved; however, unfortunately, not all of them. There is a need for the regulator to provide the tools to raise the standard so that these other players join the group of companies committed to change. It concerns both the national and international level”, said President Nowakowski.