2009 Sustainability Report - PepsiCo

Protecting Natural Resourcesin Our CommunitiesEvery day, PepsiCo earns its social license to operate in the thousandsof communities we serve. In each community, we have a responsibilityto support economic development, to improve our environmentalfootprint and to help work toward solutions to protect the community’snatural resources.As a responsible company, we seek to continuously promoteenvironmental sustainability by abiding by applicable laws andregulations where we operate, and in certain instances, wherewe believe the requirements may not be sufficiently advanced,we apply higher standards.We work hard to protect the natural resources where we operate,including minimizing our water footprint and improving publicaccess to clean water through alliances with nonprofit groups.We’re also working across our agricultural supply chain to ensureour practices are efficient and sustainable. We’re committed tosupporting our local farmers by providing the necessary training andsharing our best practices including water savings techniques, wastereuse, soil protection and chemical use. Through these practices,we’re able to raise farm productivity, which increases farmers’incomes and improves the quality of life in many communities.In 2009, PepsiCo announced new global goals and commitmentsthat address environmental and social issues including our activeengagement in the communities where we operate.Among these environmental goals, we’re committed to apply provensustainable agriculture practices on our farmed land, providefunding, technical support and training to local farmers and promoteenvironmental education with our associates, among other initiatives.In Mexico, our snacks business, Sabritas, actively participates in aprogram that contributes to the overall development of low-incomefarming families in corn-producing communities. In partnership withthe Mexican Foundation for Rural Development (FUNDAR), Sabritascontributes to technical and business training for farmers, transfersrelevant technology to the communities and initiates farmingcontracts. Sabritas and FUNDAR intend to gradually bring aboutcultural change in these communities that will lead to the creationof small, sustainable agribusinesses.In 2009, the Sabritas/FUNDAR partnership positively impacted thelives of 297 farmers in Mexico. It increased their yield of corn,increased their income by 165 percent, and provided 57,850 hoursof education and training on good agricultural practices.In 2009, the Sabritas/FUNDAR partnership positivelyimpacted the lives of farmers and provided57,850 hoursof education and training on good agricultural practices.Throughout the program, Sabritas works toward an improvedunderstanding of the farmers’ needs to become independent businesspartners. The program also benefits our business. Strengthening thecapabilities of our suppliers located near our manufacturing facilitiesmeans savings in warehouse and transportation costs as well. Weknow that engagement with rural farming communities andprivate-public partners is integral to affecting positive social andeconomic impact.We also promote environmental education and best practicesamong our associates and business partners.In Latin America, our beverage and snacks businesses promoteoverall environmental awareness with our associates. To do this, theycreated an internal educational website, pepsicoecofootprint.com,in multiple languages. Users of the site answer a short list of simplequestions about their personal lifestyle, and then the website tellsthem how many Planet Earths would be required if everyone hadtheir same way of living.more info: pepsico.com/citizenshipreport 19