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Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has confirmed a multi-year extension of its water replenishment partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and the Calder Rivers Trust. Backed by a 2.55 million pound investment running from 2026 to 2028, the programme is designed to restore natural water cycles and enhance regional biodiversity across West Yorkshire.

The initiative is a central component of CCEP’s broader environmental strategy, aiming to return at least 100% of the water used in its finished beverages to nature and local communities by 2030.

Significance for the Wakefield Manufacturing Hub

The investment is particularly relevant for CCEP’s Wakefield facility, which currently operates as the largest soft drinks manufacturing site in Europe by volume. The site has already demonstrated significant progress in internal water efficiency, reporting a 32 million litre reduction in operational water use during 2024 through technical optimisation.

By extending the partnership with the Calder Rivers Trust, CCEP is addressing "landscape-scale" water security. This external replenishment work complements internal factory efficiencies, ensuring a holistic approach to water stewardship in the region where the company maintains its highest production density.

Catchment Management and Nature Based Solutions

The programme utilises nature-based solutions to manage the River Calder catchment area. By working directly with local landholders, the trust implements several key technical interventions:

• Wetland Creation: Establishing new scrapes and ponds to filter runoff and recharge local aquifers.

• Habitat Restoration: Improving soil health and vegetation to slow the flow of water during peak rainfall.

• Subsurface Reconnection: Restoring natural water pathways to improve overall catchment resilience.

These interventions provide "stacked benefits" beyond simple water volumetric gains. By restoring natural features, the project improves water quality by reducing nutrient and pollutant runoff, while simultaneously providing flood resilience and creating stronger habitats for local wildlife.

Performance Metrics and Historical Impact

The extension builds on a decade of collaboration between CCEP and The Rivers Trust, which has resulted in the establishment of 171 water-management features across the United Kingdom.

• Phase One Performance: The initial three-year partnership delivered 280,000 cubic metres of volumetric water benefit per year.

• Phase Two Target: The 2026–2028 extension aims to secure at least an additional 250,000 cubic metres annually.

• Cumulative Reach: The programme spans 1.2 million square kilometres in its broader regional context, providing a scalable model for corporate water stewardship.

Corporate Responsibility and 2030 Water Goals

Sam Jones, Director of Sustainability and Policy at CCEP GB, stated that protecting water resources is a fundamental business responsibility. The partnership's success is measured not just in cubic metres but in the tangible support it provides for rural land management and flood prevention.

As global beverage companies face increasing pressure to manage resource scarcity, CCEP’s "water-neutral" roadmap serves as a benchmark for integrating industrial operations with local ecological recovery. By securing a long-term source of verified water replenishment, CCEP is stabilizing its operational footprint while contributing to the climate resilience of the communities in which it operates.