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Category: News

UNESDA statement on the European Parliament’s Environment Committee’s vote on the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

The European soft drinks sector, represented by UNESDA, has deep concerns with the outcome of today’s vote by the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment (ENVI) on its amendments to the draft EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). While the Environment Committee makes several critical improvements to the Commission’s proposal to support the circularity of beverage packaging, UNESDA believes there is also a considerable setback to the EU’s efforts to create a single market for circular beverage packaging.

European Parliament’s IMCO, ITRE and AGRI Committees voted on amendments to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

This week, three European Parliament’s Committees – the Committees on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) – voted on their amendments to the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). UNESDA, representing the European soft drinks sector, considers that the votes represent a good first step towards improving the proposal but further work is needed to fully support beverage packaging circularity.

Aspartame is safe, reaffirm WHO and FAO

Small glass bowl full of assorted artificial sweetener envelopes

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have re-affirmed that aspartame is safe. UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe applauds the conclusions of the new, comprehensive safety review of aspartame by the WHO/ FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the world’s leading food safety body for additives.

UNESDA announces new President

Peter Harding, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Europe, has been elected as the new President of Unesda Soft Drinks Europe, representing the non-alcoholic drinks industry in Europe. He takes up his two-year mandate from 1 July 2023, taking over the presidency from Ian Ellington of PepsiCo Europe.

Unesda welcomes two new members

The Maltese Beverage Producers Association and the Croatian Chamber of Economy bring the total number of member associations of Unesda to 25.

Current water challenges

We cannot deny the current water challenges our world is facing. We are experiencing increased water scarcity, with demands for safe, usable water exceeding supply in many areas, including in Europe. 

  • Freshwater use has been growing by about 1% per year since the 1980s and as water demand is expected to continue increasing at a similar rate until 2050, this will account for an increase of 20 to 30% above the current level of water use1.
  • This increase in water demand is leading to a reduction of renewable water resources of 24% per capita in Europe2. 
  • Around 30% of the European population lives in areas with permanent water stress and up to 70% live in areas with seasonal water stress during summer3.
  • Europe’s aquatic ecosystems are severely degraded: only 17% of protected river, lake, alluvial, and riparian habitats are in good conservation status and 90% of protected wetland habitats are classified as poor or bad4.
  • Globally, 85% of wetlands have been lost in the last 300 years, with more than 50% lost since 19905. This is particularly critical as wetlands play an important role in filtering water and removing pollutants, as well as providing shelter to wildlife and capturing carbon.

 

This situation entails severe risks for the world’s population. 

  • For the last decade, the World Economic Forum has placed water-related risks among the world’s top five in its annual Global Risks Report. 
  • Water-related disasters have also dominated the list of disasters over the past 50 years and account for 70% of all deaths related to natural disasters6.
  • Nearly 95% of infrastructure loss and damage reported between 2010 to 2019 were due to water-related disasters7. 
  • More frequent and intensive flooding has cost lives and livelihoods across Europe, while at the same time, more than 50% of the continent has, in recent years, been affected by extreme drought conditions, which also breed a range of negative social, economic and human outcomes8.

A situation driven by a combination of factors

The deterioration of the natural water cycle stems from a confluence of factors: growing urbanisation, growing populations, increased consumption, poor management, pollution, lack of or damaged infrastructure, and climate change.  

Agriculture was responsible for 59% of total freshwater use in Europe in 20179, while industrial and domestic uses are the main drivers of increasing water demand. Indeed, as economies industrialise, populations urbanise and water supply and sanitation systems expand. 

Additionally, rising temperatures and more extreme weather patterns are causing more droughts and flooding. Climate variability is also bringing more uncertainty as to the availability, predictability and geographical distribution of water. Water and climate change are inextricably linked. From unpredictable rainfall patterns to shrinking ice sheets, rising sea levels, floods and droughts – most impacts of climate change come down to water (UN Water). 

1 Chart of Global Fresh Water Use 1901-2014 – The Global Education Project

2 Water use in Europe — Quantity and quality face big challenges — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)Chart of Global Fresh Water Use 1901-2014 – The Global Education Project

3 Water stress is a major and growing concern in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)

4 Europe’s state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)Water stress is a major and growing concern in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)

5 Innovative Solutions Needed for Wetlands in Crisis – SDG Knowledge Hub (iisd.org)

6 Water Resources Management Overview: Development news, research, data | World Bank Innovative Solutions Needed for Wetlands in Crisis – SDG Knowledge Hub (iisd.org)

7 Water risks and resilience (undrr.org)

8 Risks and solutions: how climate change is impacting our water and health | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)

9 Water scarcity conditions in Europe (Water exploitation index plus) | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)Risks and solutions: how climate change is impacting our water and health | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)