Coca-Cola is the world’s largest beverage company offering more than 400 brands in over 200 countries. Multi-national corporations such as Coca-Cola are synonymous with globalisation and renowned for prioritising economic growth over environmental and social well-being. In their pursuit to maximise profits Coca-Cola has been accused of exacerbating local water resources in some developing countries. This essay will review and discuss the evidence for such claims using India as an example.
Coca-Cola was banned from India by the Indian Government in 1977 but was allowed to return in October 1993 after agreeing to certain regulations. As India becomes increasingly Westernised, the popularity of Coca-Cola soft drinks and Kinley bottled water has soared, particularly amongst the younger generations and urban elite. Coca-Cola India, comprising of Hindustan Coca-Cola and Bharat Coca-Cola, now includes 27 company-owned bottling plants and 17 franchisee-owned bottling plants. Although there are benefit from the economic growth that Coca-Cola brings, the water shortages and pollution are having severe effects on the local people and environment. Such water issues are particularly devastating in India as the country already suffers from water pollution and severe droughts, in both urban and rural areas. Most affected are the marginalized and low-income communities, landless agricultural workers and women.
Coca-Cola’s unsustainable mining leaves little water for locals, and the little water that villagers are able to access is often polluted, either directly or via contaminated vegetation and soil. The locals are often left with water that is of inferior quality in terms of taste and smell. Over 50 Indian villages are experiencing severe water shortages as well as contaminated groundwater and soil and Coca-Cola’s excessive water consumption leaves aquifers and springs dry,