Fiji Water and Corporate Social Responsibility

Kiran Maheen Mariyam Liaqat Sidra Baig Noor Fatima Shahbano Qazi

Defending Fiji CSR

Environmentalists were noticing the large carbon footprint. Fiji water travelled 1000 miles before reaching the final consumer. UK market trickypeople preferred French brands that travelled 400 miles. Tap water preference by green groups Climate change triggered by the carbon emissions in making bottled water.

 Negative campaigning against bottled water in the UK. This awareness travelled to the rest of the world. Carbon emissions at each stage of lifecycle. Fiji accused of misleading consumers on actual carbon footprint. Taxation issue from Fiji govt. (20% per litre)

 Proposition of recycled bottles. Emphasize heath benefits of natural Fiji water. They need to have good relation with the Fiji government. They should work on maintaining the integrity of the indigenous natural resource as part of their corporate image. They should let people know that they are working to nullify their carbon footprint by planting trees. Fiji needs to be active in water conservation programs.

 Fiji could emphasize how they have created jobs for nearly 400 locals. A stable and safe work environment. Fiji Water Foundation in response to local need. Assisted with emergency responses during floods in Fiji, gave them 200,000 gallons of water, replaced school supplies, helped rebuild local schools.

Future Challenges
Recycling is expensive. Indigenous resources such as the Fiji water come with a social cost. If the quality of tap water improves over time. Media can influence customers to not buy water. Govt. could favor tap water over bottled. Environmentalist groups could increase pressure.

 Shareholders could decrease investment to maintain their own image. Some countries could ban bottled water altogether. Getting involved in water conservation could be costly to the company.