How is
Coca-Cola getting involved?

The Coca-Cola family's affection for polar bears goes back decades. We first included the Coca-Cola polar bears in our advertising in 1922, and today they remain one of the most lovable symbols of the Coca-Cola brand.

The Coca-Cola Company has a long-standing commitment to support WWF's polar bear conservation efforts. We have joined together with WWF and have been raising awareness and funds through our Arctic Home campaign. The campaign has a special focus on the area where summer Arctic sea ice is predicted to persist the longest in the face of climate change. Prior to 2011 Coca-Cola donated more than $1 million to WWF for Arctic research and conservation efforts. In the fall of 2011 we extended that support and made a pledge of $2 million over 5 years (ending in 2016) and added an additional $1 million in 2012 towards polar bear conservation efforts.

Our effort to help polar bears is part of our larger commitment of working towards sustainability. Our global partnership with WWF is a key part of our efforts to build a more sustainable business model. Since 2007, the Coca-Cola business system has partnered with WWF to conserve freshwater resources around the world, and to improve water efficiency within Coca-Cola system's global manufacturing operations. Coca-Cola is leveraging the expertise of WWF's climate team by joining Climate Savers, a WWF program where select corporations make voluntary commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Working with WWF's Climate Savers program, the Coca-Cola system has reduced emissions from its manufacturing operations in Annex 1 (developed) countries by 6 percent below 2004 levels.

In addition to working with WWF, we also saw a major opportunity to incorporate more fuel-efficient modes of product delivery into our business to reduce our emissions. In our distribution fleet we have optimized delivery routes to minimize stops and fuel usage.

Refrigeration is another area where we have made improvements, by implementing energy-management systems, more efficient fan motors, better door gaskets and low-energy lighting systems. Moving forward, we will continue to reduce our energy usage wherever possible. Learn more about our environmental commitments here.

WWF

WWF is the world's most experienced conservation organization with a 30-year history of Arctic conservation. Having earned a coveted spot on the Arctic Council, WWF is recognized by governments, industries, and Indigenous communities as a key player in brokering agreements for the sustainable stewardship of Arctic lands and waters. Convening science and partnerships to solve big problems is what WWF does best.

The average temperatures in the Arctic are rising at almost twice the rate as temperatures in the rest of the world. The sea ice that polar bears depend on for survival is thinning and retreating at rates the planet has never seen before. This rapid loss of sea ice threatens the people and wildlife that rely on this environment.

The WWF and Coca-Cola have partnered to help protect the polar bear's home. Together we are raising awareness and funds through the Arctic Home campaign and focusing on the area where summer Arctic sea ice is predicted to persist the longest in the face of climate change, known as the Last Ice Area. WWF is working with local peoples to assess the potential of this area for all life, as rising temperatures melt the sea ice. WWF is also starting discussions about how the area should best be managed. This is a unique and major undertaking. The commitment by The Coca-Cola Company is a step toward working together with WWF and many others to chart what we hope will be a more sustainable course for the fragile Arctic sea ice ecosystem and helping to protect the polar bears' home. Canadians are encouraged to make changes in their lives to help combat global climate change and to show support for the larger changes that need to be made.

To learn what immediate steps you can take to get involved and make a difference click here.

To learn more about the Last Ice Area work supported by the Arctic Home campaign and WWF.

Dr. Pete Ewins

WWF-Canada's
Senior Officer, Species

Pete thinks globally and walks locally.

A doctor of philosophy in zoology from Oxford University, Pete Ewins is an expert on Arctic species and how they are affected by climate change. Pete's love of nature and passion for conservation has inspired him to reduce his ecological footprint by making choices that cause less greenhouse gas emissions.

Pete has served on many government and non-government committees and boards, and is a public speaker on ecological and conservation biology subjects. Author of over 100 scientific papers, popular articles, and 11 book chapters, he is highly committed to effective communication of both research results and conservation challenges and solutions.

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