University of British Columbia Wins Coca-Cola's "Live Positively Award" at
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Stephen Toope, President and Vice Chancellor, University of British Columbia to Accept Award On Behalf Of UBC

VANCOUVER, Feb. 15 /CNW/ - Today The Coca-Cola Company will honor the University of British Columbia with its "Live Positively Award" at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Coca-Cola's Live Positively Awards celebrate people who inspire others to create a more positive Canada. The Live Positively Awards grew out of Coca-Cola's commitment to make sustainability an integral part of its business operations and to develop initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance economic development. They were designed to remind us that while the Olympic Games may come and go every few years, the ideals of the Olympics - the lessons they offer and the positive inspiration they provide - never wane.

In 1997, UBC became Canada's first university to implement a sustainability policy. A year later, the university opened Canada's first Sustainability Office. Evident through the work done by this Sustainability Office and an impressive roster of students and scholars, the University is committed to developing an environmentally responsible campus that's economically viable and reflects the values of campus community members.

"I would like to thank Coca-Cola and say how honoured I am that UBC has been chosen for this award," said Stephen Toope of the University of British Columbia. "The award is recognition of how far we've come and it reaffirms our continued commitment to sustainability leadership and innovation."

UBC's Sustainability Office helps to make the university a fully sustainable community. It administers programs that are dramatically reducing energy and resource consumption on campus. The office and its activities are completely funded by savings from energy reduction programs.

The Office encourages the construction of green buildings and involves all members of the campus in the ongoing goal. Since April 1, 1999 the UBC Sustainability office has saved:

    
    -   237 million sheets of paper;

    -   230 million kilowatt hours of electricity;

    -   93,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions; and

    -   Over $40 million
    

As one of the world's leading universities, UBC has been able to integrate its operational activities with innovative teaching and research innovations in such a way that the world is starting to recognize.

In 2008 UBC ranked highest among Canadian post-secondary institutions and third overall in the College Sustainability Report Card, released by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. UBC is the only Canadian school - and one of 15 in all of North America - to earn an A-, the highest grade designated in the report, ranking UBC ahead of Columbia, Harvard, University of Washington and Stanford University.

"In a field where vision often outpaces reality, UBC has gained impressive traction," said Bobby Brittain, VP, Sparkling Business Unit, Coca-Cola Ltd, Canada. "UBC is transforming a campus, integrating sustainability into all aspects of campus life and inspiring students - tomorrow's leaders - to become active participants in the search for ideas and solutions. With the Live Positively Awards, we want to recognize leaders who are making the difference to create a more positive reality for us all. UBC is truly a leader we can all learn from. If we all do a little bit, we can make a big difference."

With a focus on environmental sustainability and active living, Coca-Cola's Live Positively Awards recognize organizations and individuals who turn their passion for improving the well-being of Canadians into actions that have a positive impact in their local communities. Additional recipients will be announced throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The award is a frosted Coca-Cola bottle set in a wood shadow box, depicting the Coca-Cola emblem for Live Positively. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games marks the third edition of the Coca-Cola Live Positively Awards. The program was inaugurated as "The Coca-Cola Award: Live Olympic" during the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games and was presented for the first time as "The Live Positively Award" during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most-valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: All accredited and unaccredited media are invited to attend the Coca-Cola Live Positively Awards ceremonies between February 13 and February 28 at 4 p.m. PST at the BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square.

UBC will be presented with the Live Positively Award today, February 15 at 4p.m. PST at the BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square.

For further information: Media Contact: Mandy Dinning, Hill & Knowlton, [phone], [email protected]