PepsiCo's goal is to have zero-impact products and positive water footprints

By 2040, the US multinational hopes to be carbon neutral and water positive, and by 2030, it plans to cut its first-use plastic consumption in half.

According to Willemsen, the company's climate change approach rests on the three pillars of Pep Positive: positive agriculture, positive value chain, and positive choices.

The company is "one of the largest" in the industry, he said, referring to its ability to procure crops.

We utilise over seven million acres of farmland and deal with around one hundred thousand farmers throughout the world. To preserve soil health, we want to implement regenerative farming practises on that site, such as crop rotation.

Soil health, according to Willemsen, is enhanced by the use of cover crops, which in turn increases crop yields for farmers.

"We will further cut water usage using state-of-the-art irrigation techniques," he continued, "that also have a very good impact on total water use in the area where they operate."

According to Willemsen, PepsiCo started a "Greenhouse Accelerator Program" in the Middle East last year to support the development of sustainable innovations by providing funding, guidance, and other resources.

'There are many of unique ideas out there that we want to tap into, and we want to collaborate with the startup community to leverage the creativity that is out there,' he said.

If you complete the programme, Willemsen says you'll receive a $100,000 (SR376,000) grant.

According to Willemsen, PepsiCo is planning to establish an event in Egypt's startup ecosystem in the near future to draw inspiration from the region's innovative thinkers.

Last week, the business introduced the first recycled PET (plastic) bottles to the Pakistani market.

The recycled PET I've been working on has now been announced for release in five different markets. By the end of the first quarter of next year, we hope to have expanded to 10 markets," Willemsen stated.

He further explained that PepsiCo has collaborated with regulators to guarantee that recycled PET is safe for human consumption and may be utilised in PepsiCo packaging.

Mr. Willemsen boasted that his firm has been doing business in Saudi Arabia for 60 years.

Among our most important markets is Saudi Arabia. We are pleased with our achievements in the Kingdom together with our local partners," he stated.