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.

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Consumer Trends

Each month, Ben Cooper casts his eye over emerging trends that could be of use to drinks companies and their brands

Articles by Ben Cooper

How brands are looking to utilise sustainability to connect with consumers - Sustainability Spotlight 8 August 2017

In late-July, Coca-Cola European Partners unveiled an increased 2020 target for recycled content in its plastic bottles in the UK. just-drinks' sustainability commentator, Ben Cooper, believes this news also underlines the role that brands can play in encouraging consumers to recycle.

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Non-alcoholic growth is about seeking, not avoiding – Consumer Trends 2 August 2017

A new generation of non-alcoholic drinks, and the growth they are achieving, is deservedly generating excitement in the drinks sector. The key to capitalising on the non-alcoholic revolution, Ben Cooper writes, is understanding that consumers are making a positive choice - seeking something rather simply looking to avoid alcohol.

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just-drinks speaks to Carlsberg's sustainability director, Simon Boas Hoffmeyer - Sustainability Spotlight 11 July 2017

Last month, Carlsberg unveiled ambitious long-term sustainability targets, including a commitment to achieve zero carbon emissions from its breweries by 2030. The company's sustainability director, Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, spoke with Ben Cooper about the rationale behind the new long-range targets.

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Drinks industry focuses on road ahead after Trump's Paris climate agreement decision – Sustainability Spotlight 3 July 2017

Last month, Donald Trump followed through on his campaign pledge to pull the US out of the Paris climate accord. Ben Cooper looks at how the drinks sector has responded and what US withdrawal means, both for global efforts to address climate change and for multinational beverage corporations.

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Why brands should tap into consumers' beliefs and values - Consumer Trends 29 June 2017

Recent research from global marketing consultancy Edelman reveals consumers are increasingly inclined to choose brands on the basis of shared values. Communicating ethical positions through brand marketing can, therefore, offer significant new opportunities to build brand loyalty but, Ben Cooper writes, belief-driven consumers expect companies to act in accordance with those beliefs, and not just espouse them.

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Has industry gained a greater say on Brexit after UK election? - Focus 14 June 2017

Predictions that last week's UK General Election would be all about Brexit turned out to be inaccurate, but it is without doubt the issue dominating its fallout. Ben Cooper assesses the likelihood of a significant change in the UK's Brexit strategy.

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Why drinks companies should tap into happiness - Consumer Trends 5 June 2017

The pursuit of happiness may conjure up notions of carefree abandon, but it has become a serious business. Ben Cooper examines how positive psychology - a field of psychological study focused on happiness that has emerged over the past two decades - is in tune with key consumer trends and is proving an effective framework for new approaches to brand marketing.

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What does the changing face of socialising mean for drinks brands? – Consumer Trends 9 May 2017

Having already revolutionised how we communicate remotely, digital technology is now transforming how we socialise physically, presenting new challenges for the companies that provide the lubrication for social occasions. Ben Cooper considers what the shifting nature of socialising means for drinks brands. 

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Do the drinks industry's water stewardship efforts pass muster? - Sustainability Spotlight 3 May 2017

The drinks industry's leading position on water stewardship was recognised last month in an important discussion paper, published jointly by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the CEO Water Mandate, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Pacific Institute, World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF, looking at the importance of context-based water targets for companies.

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Why is the soft drinks sector losing the recycling game? - Sustainability Spotlight 19 April 2017

A recent report from Greenpeace has condemned the world's largest soft drinks producers for not doing enough to address ocean pollution caused by plastic bottles. The report is particularly critical of the lack of progress on bottle re-use, which suggests to Ben Cooper that this may have to feature more prominently in sustainability strategies if further damaging criticism is to be avoided.