Dr Francesca O’Hanlon, senior water manager and leader of the water security strategy for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), is set to deliver a keynote speech at British Water’s International Reception in London on 24 February 2025. Her journey into water management began with a degree in civil and environmental engineering, followed by early career work on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects in sub-Saharan Africa. “I have always wanted to improve the public understanding of how essential water is to people and the planet,” she said. This passion led her to CCEP, where she has been instrumental in integrating water security strategies into the company’s business model.
CCEP, the largest bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company, serves 600 million consumers across 31 countries. O’Hanlon highlighted CCEP’s commitment to water stewardship, noting that the company has supported 27 water replenishment projects across Europe and nine in Australia, the Pacific, and Indonesia in 2023, replenishing 18.3 million m3 of water. “We ensure our water stewardship strategy is meaningful and measurable,” O’Hanlon stated, emphasizing the importance of assessing interventions that genuinely impact overall watershed health. CCEP’s water use ratio of 1.6 litres of water per litre of product is better than the industry standard, and the company aims to safely return 100% of wastewater to nature.
O’Hanlon addressed the challenge of incorporating water stewardship into the business models of large companies without accusations of green or blue washing. “We work continually to assess which interventions will have a genuine impact on overall watershed health,” she explained. CCEP’s replenishment projects focus on conserving and enhancing freshwater environments, improving water quality, reducing flood risk, storing carbon, enhancing habitat and biodiversity, and promoting the health and well-being of local communities. The company uses Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) to measure the volume of water replenished, ensuring the accuracy of reported volumes.
One notable project is CCEP’s partnership with the Rivers Trust in the UK. “In 2022, we celebrated our ten-year partnership anniversary, and both organisations are now looking towards the future as they continue the commitment to improve the health of rivers and freshwater environments,” O’Hanlon said. A new project in collaboration with the Calder & Colne Rivers Trust aims to replenish 100% of the facility’s water use by 2035 through improving water quality and freshwater retention, creating wetland habitat flora and fauna, and working with landowners to benefit both water replenishment and biodiversity.
O’Hanlon’s keynote speech at the British Water International Reception will explore collaboration between the public and private sectors, particularly on raising awareness of the importance of water stewardship and investment in nature-based solutions. She will highlight CCEP’s achievements in water stewardship and emphasize the importance of good water practices in the face of climate change. “I am passionate about water, so I am excited to be in a room full of other water enthusiasts,” O’Hanlon said, looking forward to engaging with fellow water experts.
The British Water International Reception, running since 2013, aims to grow UK exports, raise the international profile of the UK water industry supplier community, and encourage the sharing of best practices. The event, held in collaboration with the World Water Tech Innovation Summit and RSE as platinum sponsors, attracts international operators, consultants, contractors, technology suppliers, research institutions, government departments, and funding agencies. Delegates can register online.
O’Hanlon’s insights and CCEP’s initiatives underscore the critical role of water stewardship in corporate sustainability. Her speech is expected to spark debate and challenge norms within the sector, encouraging more companies to adopt meaningful and measurable water stewardship strategies. The event provides a platform for industry leaders to share best practices, fostering innovation and collaboration in the water sector. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the need for effective water management and stewardship becomes increasingly urgent. O’Hanlon’s keynote speech is poised to inspire and inform, driving the sector towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
