Environmental impact of corporate investments reviewed

NUST holds moot in collaboration with Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in collaboration with Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan held a seminar on community investments related to the environment, governance, and sustainability.

Three masterclasses were delivered to highlight these areas of impact by Zouhair Khaliq, CEO of National Incubation Centre and founder of TeamUp; Afia Salam, Trustee of Indus Earth; and Fahad Ashraf, Vice President of Coca-Cola, Pakistan.

Sana Maqbool, General Manager of NUST’s Corporate Relations hosted the event and spoke about the role of NUST in creating powerful collaborations through public-private partnerships.

A panel discussion titled “Making a Difference” asked industry experts and academics to weigh in on the link between innovation and sustainability through global best practices.

The panel also discussed a report authored by NUST’s Deputy Director of Sustainability, Barira Hanif, on landmark projects of Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan - including the Paani project, Pakistan’s first plastic road, and the recent rollout of bottles made from recycled plastic (rPET).

Vice-President of Coca-Cola Pakistan, Fahad Ashraf said, “Nature has already laid down the blueprint for continuity – nothing goes to waste; everything is broken down into basic blocks and reused again, and again – an endless circle. We are committed to bringing in innovators, academics, activists and consumers to fast-track our journey towards a circular economy as close to the ideal as possible.”

Speaking at the event, Director of Public Affairs & Communications Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan, Syed Omar Pakistan said “Sustainability is all about responsibility fulfilling the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of our future generations. We need to prioritize the planet, environment and people in every decision taken.”

Muhammed Anwar Fareid, Director of Innovation and Commercialisation Office (ICON) NUST said, “This report is an important step in taking stock of what has been done and gives us the vision of innovations yet to come as far as corporate commitments in waste management, recycling and replenishment of water. For us, there must be more commitments sooner rather than later.”

Panellists included Babar Aziz Bhatti, Managing Director of Green Earth Recycling; Barira Hanif, Deputy Director of Sustainability at NUST; Syed Omar, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan, Pervaiz Akhtar, Director Corporate Affairs Metro Cash and Carry, and Dr Sher Jamal, Professor IESE at NUST.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2022.