just-drinks authors and correspondents

Biography

Ben Cooper is just-drinks' sustainable business editor and specialises in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, policy issues and sustainability. He holds MAs from Cambridge University and the University of London, respectively in Social and Political Sciences and Social Policy.

He joined the just-drinks editorial team in 2000 and today works across both just-drinks and just-food, while also writing occasionally for just-style.

In addition to his regular features, Ben has written numerous in-depth management briefings on issues such as alcohol policy, sponsorship, the Fairtrade market, the use of food colourings and environmental issues facing the clothing industry. He also writes regularly for Ethical Corporation magazine which specialises in the corporate social responsibility field.

He lives in London where he also works as a professional singer.

Columns by Ben Cooper

Sustainability in Drinks

Every month, Ben Cooper casts his eye over sustainability efforts in the global drinks industry.

Articles by Ben Cooper

Why the drinks industry is falling behind food on sustainability matters - Sustainability Spotlight 14 May 2018

A new report from US-based sustainability non-profit Ceres, which assesses the performance of 613 US-based publicly-traded corporations on a comprehensive range of sustainability criteria, reveals food and drinks to be among the most progressive and highest-achieving sectors. However, the research does not reflect well on the drinks sector specifically.

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How to collect data without alienating your consumer - Consumer Trends 1 May 2018

The Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data scandal may have been played out largely in the political arena but the implications for branded companies are arguably as serious as they are for politicians. Ben Cooper investigates.

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Water – Why drinks companies must think global but act local - Sustainability Spotlight 6 April 2018

When it comes to sustainability, water is always near the top of the list for drinks companies. This month, sustainability commentator Ben Cooper considers recent efforts in this area by several sizeable drinks groups.

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Will Keurig Dr Pepper merger prompt change in sustainability strategy? – Sustainability Spotlight 1 March 2018

In his latest look at sustainability efforts across the drinks industry, sustainability expert Ben Cooper digs behind last month's headlines of the 'merger' of Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple Group. What he discovers, from a sustainability perspective, makes for some challenging reading.

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How will brands connect with consumers in the post-trust era? - Consumer Trends 21 February 2018

The latest Edelman Trust Barometer found levels of trust in the US general population have declined by the largest margin the survey has ever recorded, while classifying 20 of the 28 countries surveyed as "distrusters". Ben Cooper asks Tonia Ries, executive director of Edelman Square, the intellectual property unit of the global PR giant, what declining trust means for brands and their relationship with consumers.

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Will 2018 be the year we solve the plastic problem? – Sustainability Spotlight 13 February 2018

Earlier this month, just-drinks talked to Evian global brand director Patricia Oliva about the water brand's recent commitment to make all its bottles from recycled plastic by 2025. Here, sustainability editor Ben Cooper considers how Evian's move underlines the increased attention being focused on plastics recycling. Ben also flags up some other sustainability hotspots for the coming year.

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Cybersecurity fears deepen as risks intensify - World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2018 - Part II 26 January 2018

As the world's movers and shakers gather in Davos this week for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Ben Cooper takes an in-depth look at the organisation's latest Global Risks Report. This year's report identifies environmental and cybersecurity issues, geopolitical tensions and economic inequality as predominant threats to global corporations, in spite of the global economic recovery now underway.

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Global economic upswing fails to drown out risky outlook - World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2018 - Part I 26 January 2018

As the world's movers and shakers gather in Davos this week for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Ben Cooper takes an in-depth look at the organisation's latest Global Risks Report. This year's report identifies environmental and cybersecurity issues, geopolitical tensions and economic inequality as predominant threats to global corporations, in spite of the global economic recovery now underway. 

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The guardians of globalisation prepare to welcome Trump - Comment 26 January 2018

At a press conference last week to launch the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2018, the organisation’s assembled panel of experts was asked whether the ideas of "a group of millionaires" on reforming capitalism would carry much weight with ordinary people. The question alluded to the launch at the WEF annual general meeting this week in Davos of a two-year global dialogue aimed at exploring how market capitalism can be reformed to allow more people to benefit from economic growth. 

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The wine category in 2017 - just-drinks' Review of the Year, Part III - FREE TO ACCESS 12 December 2017

As the year draws to a close, just-drinks takes a look back at the stories that have made the headlines across the global drinks industry over the last 12 months. In this, the third in our four-part category review, Ben Cooper considers how 2017 has treated the wine sector.