Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and Bambi presented their sustainability report for the year 2023

Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and Bambi have presented the Sustainability Report for the year 2023. This marks the eleventh report by Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and the fourth to include data from Bambi, under the theme “Sustainability – the Force Driving Collective Change.”

The report highlights how the focus on customers and consumers, innovation, digitalization, employees, and environmental protection contributes to creating long-term value. Significant investments have been announced to further integrate sustainability into processes, and in 2023, there were no product recalls or withdrawals from the market.

Recognizing digitalization as a key driver of growth, both companies have invested €8.2 million over the past year and a half in this area, streamlining processes, dedicating more time to customers, and reducing emissions. Employees of these two companies received over 31,000 hours of training in 2023. Special attention has been given to empowering women, with women comprising 42.5% of managerial positions at Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and 37% at Bambi.

The report also showcases the companies’ progress towards sustainability goals and achieving zero CO2 emissions. Over 17 years, Coca-Cola HBC Serbia reduced water consumption by 54.4% and energy consumption by 58%. Over the past decade, Bambi reduced water usage by 42%. Both companies recycle 99% of the waste generated in production and offices, aiming for zero waste to landfills.

“Our progress in key environmental parameters demonstrates our commitment to resources and the environment. Since 2017, we have reduced direct CO2 emissions by 73%, while Bambi achieved a reduction of 47%. With 91.5% of Coca-Cola HBC Serbia’s fleet and 65% of Bambi’s fleet consisting of low-emission vehicles, we are on track to achieve a fully ‘green’ fleet by 2030. We continue to collaborate with suppliers on decarbonizing the supply chain, continually updating our packaging, and using more efficient cooling equipment. Although our Net Zero goals are set for 2040, that future is now. The next 16 years are envisioned as a period of innovation and turning promises into actions,” stated Svetoslav Atanasov, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Serbia and Montenegro.

Both companies procure all their electricity from renewable sources. Solar collectors have been installed at the Vlasinka plant, while Bambi is in the process of implementing a project to install solar panels for electricity production.

“In 2023 alone, our two companies invested over €400,000 in local communities and additionally donated over 200,000 liters of beverages and 22 tons of products. Through volunteering, Bambi and Coca-Cola HBC Serbia employees contributed over 2,000 hours of support to the community. Empowering youth and women, initiatives to promote recycling remain our priorities in this area. I would also highlight our significant support for sports and the values it promotes, supporting initiatives such as the Sports Games of Youth, the largest children’s sports competition in Europe, as well as other sports events,” noted Dragan Stajković, General Manager of Bambi.

The presentation of the report also announced major investments aimed at further integrating sustainability into processes. Coca-Cola HBC Serbia plans to construct an automated warehouse worth €33 million, bringing innovative standards to logistics. Bambi intends to invest over €12 million in expanding production capacity through infrastructure, new technologies, automation, digitalization processes, and opening new production lines.

The Sustainability Report aligns with the requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the most widely used global methodology, and meets the high standards of the United Nations Global Compact concerning the Progress Report.

Access the full report here.