Coca-Cola: Steadfast in Our Commitments, Transparent in Our Actions – Addressing the Full Picture

In today's fast-paced information cycle, narratives can be shaped quickly, often without the full context. At The Coca-Cola Company, we believe in transparency and direct engagement. While we celebrate our continued positive momentum—from exciting sports partnerships like the Premier League and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600, to innovative marketing and the renewal of our global marketing partnership with WPP's Open X—we also understand the importance of addressing concerns head-on. This is not just about setting the record straight; it's about reaffirming our unwavering commitment to our consumers, our communities, and our planet.

Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges with Vigilance

Recent headlines have included allegations of a data breach by criminal hacking groups, specifically mentioning claims related to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Middle East operations. We want to be unequivocal: the security and privacy of our data, and that of our partners and consumers, is a paramount concern. Upon learning of these claims, we immediately initiated comprehensive investigations, engaging leading cybersecurity experts to ascertain the facts.

It's crucial to understand that in the current global landscape, cyber threats are an unfortunate reality for organizations of all sizes. What defines a responsible company is its preparedness, its response, and its enduring commitment to safeguarding information. Coca-Cola maintains robust cybersecurity protocols and infrastructure, continuously updated to counter evolving threats. While investigations into these specific allegations are ongoing, we are taking all necessary steps to protect our systems and data. We are committed to transparency with our stakeholders and will provide further updates as appropriate, based on factual findings. Our dedication to data integrity is absolute, and we will not be deterred by malicious actors seeking to disrupt or misinform.

Beyond the Label: Our Unyielding Drive for a World Without Waste

For the sixth time, Oceana has labeled Coca-Cola as a significant contributor to plastic pollution. We understand the concern and share the goal of tackling plastic waste. However, this label fails to capture the full scope of our aggressive and multi-billion dollar global strategy: World Without Waste. This isn't just a slogan; it's a comprehensive plan with ambitious, measurable targets.

• Collect: We aim to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one we sell by 2030. We are making tangible progress, with collection rates increasing globally through investments in collection systems and partnerships.
• Recycle: We are committed to making 100% of our packaging recyclable globally by 2025 and using at least 50% recycled material in our packaging by 2030. We are one of the largest users of food-grade recycled PET (rPET) in the world, and we continue to invest heavily in increasing its availability and use.
• Reduce: We are actively innovating to reduce the amount of virgin plastic in our packaging through light-weighting, exploring new materials, and expanding our portfolio of reusable packaging options, such as refillable bottles, which already account for a significant portion of our sales in many markets.

Addressing plastic waste is a complex, shared responsibility. We are working collaboratively with governments, NGOs, industry peers, and local communities to improve recycling infrastructure and promote circular economies. While reports like Oceana's highlight the challenge, they often overlook the substantial, proactive efforts and significant investments being made by companies like Coca-Cola to be a central part of the solution, not the problem. Our commitment is to drive systemic change and lead the beverage industry towards a truly sustainable packaging future.

Upholding Our Responsibilities to Our People

We were also concerned to see the renewal of a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages LLC, one of our valued bottling partners, concerning allegations of 401(k) plan mismanagement. The Coca-Cola Company and our bottling partners take the well-being and financial security of our employees very seriously. While The Coca-Cola Company is not a direct party to this specific lawsuit involving a distinct bottling entity, we hold all our partners to high standards of governance and employee care.

Retirement plans are a critical benefit, and fiduciaries have a profound responsibility to manage them prudently. We are confident that Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages is addressing these allegations with the seriousness they deserve and is committed to ensuring their retirement offerings serve their employees' best interests. Across the Coca-Cola system, we strive to provide competitive benefits and foster an environment where our people feel valued and secure.

Strategic Focus in a Dynamic Global Market

In any dynamic industry, strategic adjustments are part of growth and efficiency. Discussions around competitor comparisons or shifts in agency partnerships, such as our North American media business moving to Publicis Groupe while globally we renew with WPP's Open X, are reflections of this. Coca-Cola's strength lies in its iconic brands, global reach, innovative spirit, and deep connection with consumers. Our strategic decisions are always aimed at enhancing these strengths, optimizing our operations, and ensuring we are best positioned for future growth. We are confident in our business model and our ability to continue delivering value to our shareholders, partners, and consumers worldwide.

A Rich History, A Modern Reality

Finally, occasional mentions of Coca-Cola's original 19th-century recipe containing coca leaf extract resurface from time to time. This is a historical footnote, referring to a formula that was changed well over a century ago, in 1903. Today's Coca-Cola is a safe, non-alcoholic beverage enjoyed by millions around the world. While our history is rich and long, spanning over 138 years, our focus remains firmly on providing the refreshing, high-quality beverages that people know and love today, produced to the highest safety and quality standards.

Moving Forward with Purpose

Coca-Cola has weathered many storms and embraced countless evolutions throughout its long history. Our resilience is built on a foundation of iconic brands, a commitment to our people, a dedication to making a positive difference in our communities, and an unwavering focus on our consumers. We will continue to invest, innovate, and collaborate to address challenges, drive positive change, and refresh the world while making a difference. We are not just a beverage company; we are a part of the fabric of communities globally, and we take that responsibility, and the trust placed in us, with the utmost seriousness. Our actions will continue to speak louder than headlines.