PepsiCo’s Jim Andrew on Making Food Resilient & Sustainable
Amid extreme weather and population growth, what does it take to make our food systems resilient and sustainable?
That is the question PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer Jim Andrew will pose when he takes to the stage for the opening keynote at Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC.
Jim, who earlier this year was named Number One in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 Leaders 2025, is one of the sustainability world’s best-known and most respected leaders.
PepsiCo and sustainability: 6 key themes
While the key points of Jim’s keynote will not be revealed until he speaks at Convene, 360 Madison Avenue, NYC, on 22 September, PepsiCo’s approach to resilience and sustainability includes six areas of focus.
1 – Positive agriculture and regenerative farming
PepsiCo has committed to spreading regenerative, restorative or protective farming practices over 10 million acres by 2030.
Regenerative agriculture includes improving soil health, optimising water use, using cover crops and reducing tillage.
2 – Water stewardship
PepsiCo has set ambitious water goals, especially for its operations in high water-risk areas, where it hit its targets two years ahead of schedule.
It is also targeting 100% water replenishment (returning water to the watershed) in high risk areas for its own operations and franchise bottlers.
3 – Sustainable sourcing and ingredients
It is pushing to sustainably source 90% of its key ingredients and manage commodities in ways that avoid deforestation and conversion by 2030.
PepsiCo works with suppliers, governments, NGOs and research partners to support resilient food systems – for example, the Climate Resilience Platform (CRP) helps deliver actionable climate-impact and crop resilience data to farmers.
4 – Packaging and circularity
Under the Positive Value Chain component of pep+, PepsiCo is working to redesign packaging, use more recycled content, increase recyclability/compostability, reduce reliance on virgin plastic and move toward circular packaging systems.
For example, it designs packaging for recovery, invests in infrastructure and is developing reusable/refillable models.
5 – Climate and emissions reductions
PepsiCo has set new targets around reducing Scope 3 agricultural/land/forestry emissions. Its refined sustainability goals emphasise improving climate resilience in its sourcing and operations, anchoring investments in emission reductions and recognising business risks linked to climate change.
6 – Food and nutrition security
The company aims to make nutritious food more accessible: reducing added sugar, sodium, saturated fat; incorporating more whole grains, legumes, plant-based proteins; addressing food security in vulnerable communities.
Jim is realistic about what can be done, but also determined to not waver.
He has previously said: “Our sustainability journey will not always be linear, but we are focused on doing the work that can both strengthen our business resilience and support a positive impact for the planet.”
A career of innovation and strategy
Jim's journey to becoming a sustainability leader is marked by work across various industries, developing his expertise in corporate strategy and value creation.
His career began at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he spent 25 years, ultimately becoming a senior partner and establishing the firm's Innovation practice.
His tenure at BCG was followed by executive leadership positions at Royal Philips and Sears Holding Corporation, where he honed his skills in strategy and innovation.
Jim joined PepsiCo in 2016 and has become known for his energy, experience and ideas.
Transforming sustainability at PepsiCo
Since taking on the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo in 2020, Jim has been instrumental in reshaping the company's approach to sustainability.
It is no coincidence that, earlier this month, PepsiCo was named at number 16 in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 Companies.
Jim leads PepsiCo's transformation agenda, pep+, which places sustainability at the core of the company's operations.
Recent achievements include a 33% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2015.
He has championed initiatives including the 'Sustainable Operations from the Start' programme, ensuring that new facilities incorporate advanced energy efficiency standards and renewable energy from inception.
His forward-thinking approach is exemplified by PepsiCo's involvement in initiatives like the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance (CEBA), which works to increase access to renewable energy globally.
Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC 2024 keynote
During last year’s fireside chat, Jim shared insights on the food and beverage giant’s path to decarbonisation and system-wide transformation.
He highlighted PepsiCo’s achievements in reducing emissions, fostering collaborative partnerships and driving change across its extensive global value chain.
Jim also detailed the critical role of systemic collaboration, policy and innovation in realising PepsiCo’s ambitious sustainability goals.
He cited PepsiCo’s new US$320m facility in Poland, which features rooftop solar, off-site solar and extensive electrification, as a model for sustainable design.
“These facilities have 30- to 50-year lifespans,” he said.
infrastructure and the need for an updated electric grid present significant challenges.
Themes at Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC 2025
With a focus on climate leadership, innovation and measurable impact, the event will cover core themes including:
- Net zero strategies and Scope 3 reduction
- Decarbonisation of supply chains
- Climate finance and green investment
- Circular economy models and material innovation
- Climate-tech and AI for sustainability
Sustainability LIVE is designed to foster insight-sharing and collaboration, and those attending will gain practical takeaways for climate action, alongside access to some of the most impactful voices in the global sustainability space.
