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UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe announces new President, Ian Ellington of PepsiCo Europe assumes role as of January 2021

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”9536″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” label=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Ian Ellington, SVP and Chief Category Officer, PepsiCo Europe, has been elected president of UNESDA, Soft Drinks Europe, representing the non-alcoholic drinks industry in Europe. He takes up his two-year mandate from 1 January 2021.

Assuming the presidency from Tim Brett of The Coca-Cola Company, Mr Ellington acknowledged that UNESDA faced a full agenda over the coming years as it looked to drive further progress in the areas of circularity and responsibility.

”UNESDA has upheld the interests of our industry for more than 60 years and taken bold, EU-wide initiatives in the areas of sustainable packaging, sugar reduction and responsibility towards children,” said Ellington

“I look forward to leading our sector as we commit to further actions in each of these areas: supporting the EU commitment to a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050 through creating circularity for soft drinks packaging; continuing our sugar and calorie reduction journey that has seen an average 26% reduction in calories in soft drinks in recent years; and strengthening our commitments to behave responsibly towards children through our advertising and schools policies.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Europe’s soft drinks industry is a significant contributor to the European economy providing growth, jobs and added value throughout its €185 billion supply chain. It supports over 1.7 million jobs and delivers almost €30 billion in tax contributions to EU member states. There are some 424 soft drinks production and bottling plants right across Europe supplied with ingredients by over 137,000 arable farms and growers.

Ian Ellington leads the Marketing and Insights function for PepsiCo Europe across its snacks, beverages and nutrition businesses. Prior to his current role, Ian was General Manager of PepsiCo in the UK. Ian joined PepsiCo in 2008 from Mars Confectionery where he worked in marketing, sales and strategy roles in both the UK and Europe. He is married with four children and an active cyclist and skier as well as a football and rugby fan.

For further information contact:

Sam Rowe, UNESDA communications: +32 475 361286 or srowe@unesda.eu[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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)