Is Coca-Cola more eco than an organic smoothie?

Coca-Cola has revealed that a can of its coke releases less carbon emissions than an organic fruit smoothie made by the ethical Innocent brand.

The Carbon Trust calculated that a 330ml can of coke is responsible for just 170 grams of CO2 emissions.

By comparison, a 250ml passion fruit and mango Innocent smoothie has embedded carbon emissions of 209 grams.

Innocent said Coke’s lower emissions are because it is a water-based product with added fructose syrup.

Innocent co-founder Richard Reed said it was unfair to compare a bottle of crushed fruit to a product that is largely made of water – not least because of the difference in nutritional value.

Ethical business blogger David Coethica backs up Reed’s case.

“A Can of coke is mostly water, whereas an Innocent smoothie is all crushed fruit,” writes Coethica.

“Not quite like for like is it, but that’s marketing for you.”

The drink’s packaging also makes a big difference.

If the 330ml of Coke is put into a glass bottle, its carbon footprint rises to 360 grams, more than double that of the canned product.