PepsiCo's Water Global Conservation & Replenishment Strategy

As one of the world's very largest beverage companies, water is PepsiCo's lifeblood, its currency and its future. As such, the US-based firm has both a responsibility and a fundamental need to conserve the planet's water resources.

In 2024, PepsiCo restored 24 billion litres of water around the world as part of its ambition to become net water positive in high-risk areas – a volume equivalent to 9,600 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Of course, this kind of achievement cannot happen without a watertight strategy to guide it.

For PepsiCo, the strategy focuses on three key areas: water replenishment in stressed watersheds, efficiency improvements in manufacturing and agriculture and providing safe water access to communities through the PepsiCo Foundation.

PepsiCo's water restoration projects

The drinks giant's water replenishment projects have been running since 2016, with tree planting and wetland restoration forming the core approach.

In the Dominican Republic's Ozama River Basin, more than 160,000 trees were planted through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, replenishing 110 million litres in 2024 alone whilst reducing erosion and flood risks.

A project near Mount Pangrango and Gunung Halimun Salak National Parks in Indonesia replenished 21.6 million litres in 2024 while protecting freshwater sources for more than 30 million people through tree planting and community education.

"Water is essential and access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right," says Roberta Barbieri, PepsiCo's Vice President of Water and Climate.

"When PepsiCo talks about being 'Net Water Positive,' we're saying we envision our presence strengthening local water systems, especially in high risk water areas, not straining them."

Florida expansion underway

New projects launched in Florida in 2025 include converting nearly 700 acres of sugarcane farms to drip irrigation systems in partnership with N-Drip and Netafim.

Wetland restoration work in the Florida Everglades involves removing invasive non-native trees through targeted herbicide injections that leave native plants and soil undisturbed.

The approach aims to restore natural water flow and increase the wetlands' capacity to retain water over the long term.

Beyond the supply chain

PepsiCo has expanded its focus beyond farms that supply its ingredients to work with broader farming communities in stressed watersheds.

"No matter how efficient the farmers who supply PepsiCo may be, if the rest of the farmers in the watershed aren't doing the same, it doesn't have the most optimal impact because everybody is drawing from the same resource," Roberta explains.

"Collaboration is key, and everyone has a role to play in protecting the watersheds we all rely on."

In India's Hathras District, the company worked with 10 villages and more than 1,600 farmers outside its supply chain to develop water security plans and implement water-saving techniques.

These efforts restored more than 81 million litres of water with plans to expand to additional villages.

Similar watershed health projects have launched in Mexico where water resources face pressure from climate change and population growth.

"Farmers are getting on board and seeing major water savings and improved crop yields, and these projects are driving system change," Roberta says.

"With our reach and resources, we can help inspire and accelerate solutions beyond our own footprint and really make a meaningful impact."

The reality of water's relationship with climate change

Climate change, population growth and pollution continue to strain freshwater supplies globally.

Water serves as both an ingredient in PepsiCo products and supports agricultural production of crops including potatoes for Lay's crisps.

The company's manufacturing facilities also depend on reliable water access across global operations.

Drip irrigation systems reduce water waste in crop production whilst innovations aim to cut wastewater from manufacturing processes.

The approach reflects growing corporate focus on water security as a material risk to supply chains and operations in water-stressed regions.

"We've come a long way since launching our first water goals in 2016 and watching our water replenishment work grow from a bold plan into real, on-the-ground impact has been incredibly rewarding," Roberta says.

"I'm excited to build on this momentum, bring in more partners and do even more to protect the water that sustains us all."