Greenpeace, a global network that uses non-violent creative action to confront the systems that threaten the environment says it is concerned over the decision by the government of Egypt to make Coca-Cola – the world’s biggest plastic polluter the sponsor of this year’s climate conference.
Egypt had announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Coca-Cola, introducing the company as a sponsor for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP27) to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November.
Reacting to the decision, Greenpeace USA Oceans Campaign Director, John Hocevar, said It is baffling that Coca-Cola – the world’s biggest plastic polluter in all global Break Free From Plastic brand audits, including Kenya and Uganda – will sponsor this year’s UNFCCC Conference of Parties in Egypt.
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Hocevar said that Coca-Cola produces 120 billion throwaway plastic bottles a year – and 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, worsening both the plastic and climate crisis.
“They have yet to even acknowledge that this is a problem or explain how they will meet their climate goals without ending their plastic addiction,” he said. “This partnership undermines the very objective of the event it seeks to sponsor”.
He explained that cutting plastic production and ending single-use plastic is in line with the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees, adding that If Coca-Cola really wants to solve the plastic and climate crisis, it needs to turn off its plastics tap.
“Ending Coca-Cola’s addiction to single-use plastic is an important part of moving away from fossil fuels, protecting communities, and combating climate change,” he said.
Story was adapted from Greenpeace.
