BURLINGTON, Mass. and PLANO, Texas, U.S. — Keurig Dr Pepper today announced it has joined the Business for Inclusive Growth (B4IG) platform, a coalition of 34 leading international companies committed to stepping up business action to advance human rights throughout their value chains, build inclusive workplaces and strengthen inclusion in their internal and external business ecosystems.
Focused on tackling record high levels of inequality, the coalition will advance G7 government-led efforts to strengthen equality of opportunity, tackle regional disadvantages and fight gender discrimination.
Commenting on the announcement, Bob Gamgort, CEO of Keurig Dr Pepper stated, “Joining this powerful coalition of leading companies aligns with Keurig Dr Pepper’s commitment to make a positive impact on the people and communities across our value chain. We’re proud to be part of this pioneering effort that will join public and private sectors in the critical work of tackling inequalities and creating opportunities for all stakeholders.”
Joining the B4IG coalition enhances the Company’s recently launched corporate responsibility platform, Drink Well. Do Good. Keurig Dr Pepper is one of the largest global purchasers of responsibly sourced coffee and employs strict supplier guidelines to ensure respectful, safe and fair working conditions across its supply chain. The Company invests in robust social impact programs and partners to support farmers and workers through various initiatives that result in climate-smart farming practices and access to credit and diversified income sources, among others. Through these programs and others like them, KDP is well on its way to achieving its goal of improving the lives of one million people in its supply chain by 2020. In addition, the Company has invested approximately $40 million to provide almost 13 million kids in underserved markets with sports equipment and safe play spaces through its Let’s Play initiative.
B4IG members have a global footprint, cover a broad range of sectors, employ more than 3.5 million people around the world and have combined annual revenues of over 1 trillion USD. The coalition’s strategy rests on three pillars:
- A Business Pledge Against Inequalities to advance human rights, workplace inclusion and diversity and value chain inclusiveness;
- An incubator to design or expand new inclusive business models, piloting social innovation and private-public collaboration at the micro-economic level; and
- An inclusive growth financing forum to promote innovative financing mechanisms between business, governments and philanthropic actors.
- The G7 B4IG coalition will be coordinated by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose work has shown that inequalities hamper growth and social mobility. Progress and lessons learned will be shared during an annual board meeting, with CEOs and key figures from public and civil society sectors, including the International Labour Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
More information regarding the B4IG coalition and its growth pillars can be accessed here.
