Health and climate experts have identified the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) industry as a dual threat to public health and the environment.
In a webinar organized by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) on Friday, titled “SSB and Climate Change: Climate Cost of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages,” experts revealed the industry's significant role in fuelling climate change and escalating non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The discussions highlighted how the widespread use of single-use plastics (SUPs) in beverage packaging is a key contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental degradation.
The panel urged the Nigerian government to enforce stricter measures, including a robust SSB tax, to curb consumption and fund healthcare for NCD patients.
The Health-Climate Nexus
Dr Francis Fagbule, a public health expert from the University of Ibadan, underscored the severe health consequences of SSBs.
He noted their link to NCDs such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
“Excessive SSB consumption not only increases the prevalence of NCDs but also poses unique risks, such as metabolic syndrome, particularly among children and adolescents.
“The evidence is clear—SSBs are a major source of free sugars with little to no nutritional value,” Fagbule stated.
Despite this, beverage companies spend billions on advertising to attract consumers, often downplaying the risks.
Fagbule emphasized the importance of taxation as a deterrent, citing its effectiveness in reducing consumption globally.
Plastic Pollution and Climate Impacts
Olamide Martins Ogunlade, CAPPA's Senior Programmes Manager, detailed the environmental toll of the SSB industry’s reliance on SUPs. According to Ogunlade, 40% of global plastic production is linked to food and beverage packaging.
These plastics, often discarded after a single use, release significant GHGs throughout their lifecycle—from production to incineration.
“Plastics not only warm the planet but also disrupt ecosystems and human health,” Ogunlade warned.
“Microplastics leach toxic additives into water, soil, and even our food supply, threatening food security and biodiversity.”
He highlighted Nigeria’s alarming plastic consumption, which has surged over the past 15 years. Less than 12% of plastics are recycled, with the remainder polluting land and waterways.
A Call for Urgent Action
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasized the webinar’s relevance, noting its alignment with ongoing global climate discussions at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“Major soda companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are among the world’s top plastic polluters.
Their reliance on plastics exacerbates climate change and underscores the urgent need for systemic change,” Oluwafemi said.
Ogunlade proposed comprehensive policy measures to tackle the issue, including the adoption of Nigeria’s National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
He also urged manufacturers to redesign packaging and explore sustainable alternatives.
The Way Forward
Experts concluded that addressing the intertwined challenges of sugary drink consumption and plastic pollution requires a multi-faceted approach. Recommendations included:
Strengthening and enforcing SSB taxation policies to reduce consumption.
Redirecting tax revenues to healthcare systems to better manage NCDs.
Implementing stricter regulations on plastic production and disposal.
Encouraging beverage companies to reduce their plastic footprint and adopt eco-friendly materials.
By curbing SSB consumption and reducing reliance on single-use plastics, Nigeria could mitigate the dual crises of public health deterioration and climate change, experts argued.
“The fight against sugary drinks and plastics is not just about health or the environment—it’s about safeguarding our future,” Ogunlade concluded.
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