Terms like "low-carbon economy" and "green production" are gaining in popularity in response to climate change, and PepsiCo, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies and a member of the Fortune 500, is doing its part.

The company has been recognized industry-wide for its "Performance with Purpose" program and for its environmental practices.

In August 2010, the United States' Green Building Council issued a LEED Gold certificate to the production facility of a PepsiCo subsidiary in China - PepsiCo (Nanchang) Plant- the first beverage plant in China to get the honor. This set another sustainability benchmark for China's beverage industry.

LEED award winners are selected by the US Green Building Council, in accordance with a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Building Rating System - a global standard for environmental impact and new building sustainability.

Kerswick Leung, operations vice-president of PepsiCo Greater China Region (GCR) (Beverage), said, "The Nanchang PepsiCo green plant is a showcase of the environmental sustainability of PepsiCo's initiative and it has kept its promise to improve environmental sustainability by building more green factories here."

In 2008, and 2010, PepsiCo announced additional investment plans for a total of $3.5 billion for China in the near future, mainly for new factories, local R&D capability, agricultural projects, and brand marketing. It said the new Nanchang PepsiCo plant shows its confidence and long-term commitment to China.

The 40,000-square-meter Nanchang PepsiCo green plant has three production lines in a 12,500-square-meters space. And, by using renewable and recyclable construction materials, it has cut procurement costs and met its environmental goals.

PepsiCo's plant in Chongqing is also a role model in promoting energy saving, environmental friendly factory for the beverage industry. Its environmental education center has become an education center for the entire country's food and beverage industry.

Leung said that, since several of PepsiCo's factories have been recognized by the international green certification agency, it is keeping its "green" development promise. It is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with a deep sense of social responsibility, and "is committed not only to excellence in business, but also to making the world a better place environmentally, socially and economically."

Good 'green' reception

PepsiCo was one of the first multinationals to enter China and has been on a "green journey" centered on environmental sustainability, for 30 years. The industry is aware of its energy conservation, pollutant reduction and clean production efforts.

Zhao Yali, chairwoman of the China Beverage Industry Association (CBIA), said, "China's beverage industry needs green role models like PepsiCo if it is to make progress in sustainable development. PepsiCo's green vision and environmental expertise will help get more companies to take concrete environmental protection action."

PepsiCo opened its first bottling plant in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in 1981. Today, it has 24 bottling plants, one concentrate factory, and a marketing network that spans the country. And the environmental sustainability concept is deeply embedded in its manufacturing process.

In March 2010, it announced new global targets, which include a commitment to providing safe drinking water for 3 million people in developing countries, by the end of 2015. In addition to pursuing environmental sustainability in the beverage business, it is on a "green journey" and is investing in things like corn and potato farms and public welfare programs.