How do Coca-Cola & Heineken Drive Sustainable Supply Chains?

Coca-Cola, Heineken and eight other leading beverage companies have joined forces under the REfresh Alliance, aiming to supercharge the adoption of renewable energy across global supply chains.

The collaboration is designed to tackle Scope 3 emissions – those generated by supply chain activities – by empowering suppliers and creating a pathway toward a net-zero future.

The REfresh Alliance, managed by energy solutions provider Enel X, unites 10 beverage companies including Bacardi, Carlsberg Group, Diageo and Pernod Ricard.

By pooling resources and expertise, these industry leaders aim to simplify the renewable energy transition for suppliers and reduce barriers that hinder adoption.

Through its partnership with Enel X, the alliance provides participants access to renewable energy providers, advisory support and a comprehensive educational platform.

The approach enables suppliers to explore practical and affordable energy solutions tailored to their needs. 

“We have long recognised the need for industry collaboration to deliver the most impact and to accelerate the transition across our supply chains," explains Ralf Peters, Chief Procurement Officer of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.

"Encouraging our supply partners to transition to renewables is one of the most impactful things we can do to decarbonise their businesses and ours."

Heineken’s Chief Procurement Officer, Hervé Le Faou, highlights the shared challenges: “Scope 3 emissions are one of the biggest challenges that the industry faces in delivering on our net-zero ambitions.

"We must work together to identify areas of our supply chains where we can pool our resources to accelerate this transition for our suppliers.”

Scope 3 emissions: The industry’s greatest hurdle

Scope 3 emissions account for about 90% of a typical beverage company’s carbon footprint.

These emissions stem from activities within the supply chain, such as manufacturing, transport and raw material production, and are harder to manage since they fall outside a company’s direct control.

Suppliers often face significant obstacles in adopting renewable energy, including limited access to technology, expertise or cost-effective solutions. The REfresh Alliance directly addresses these issues by equipping suppliers with the tools and support needed to adopt renewable energy at scale.

Already, the alliance has worked with more than 300 suppliers to assess renewable energy options, laying the groundwork for widespread change.

“The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time and the transition to net zero is becoming increasingly important," notes Jane Liang, Chief Procurement Officer at Diageo.

"However, there is only so much we can do as individual businesses. The REfresh Alliance will drive collective action within the industry to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy."

This proactive stance is a game-changer for beverage companies. By collaborating through a shared framework, they are not only reducing costs but also multiplying the impact of their sustainability initiatives.

Building momentum for global impact

The REfresh Alliance’s initial focus is on Europe and North America, leveraging these regions’ advanced renewable energy infrastructures to achieve early wins.

Over time, the programme plans to expand globally, helping suppliers in emerging markets access the resources and expertise needed to transition to renewable energy.

Beyond its focus on connecting brands and suppliers, the alliance also fosters an environment of shared learning. Its educational resources equip companies with the knowledge to adopt renewable solutions effectively, ensuring their actions resonate throughout the supply chain.

This collaborative approach is the first of its kind in the beverage industry and signals a broader trend toward collective action on climate issues.

By addressing Scope 3 emissions head-on, the REfresh Alliance aims to drive measurable progress towards a sustainable future. It unites the strengths of competing brands under a single banner, proving that the road to net zero is best travelled together.

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