“Red Bull’s plans spark water scarcity fears near Berlin”, 2 May 2025
International drinks maker Red Bull’s expansion plans in the drought-ridden region around the German capital are coming under fire amidst concerns about environmental sustainability and accusations of intransparency…
Two years ago, energy drinks maker Red Bull and its partner Rauch took over operations from a mineral water company, acquiring its rights to 2.37 million cubic meters of groundwater each year. Up to now, the new owners have used less than half that amount. But uptake [allegedly] looks set to more than double under recently approved development plans…
One citizen, who is concerned about the sustainability and transparency of the project, has launched a legal challenge to the plans with the help of a right-to-know platform “Frag-den-Staat” (ask the state). Lawyer Ida Westphal said that the aim was to get the local authority to disclose what Red Bull is getting in terms of subsidies and how much it is paying for the water.
Mayor Ilk explained that water levels were closely monitored by Brandenburg’s environmental agency and supplies to the drinks manufacturers could be throttled in the event of concern.
Groundwater, however, remains a scientific black box, according to environmentalists, making it impossible to know how much exists deep underground and how quickly it is replenished. Over-extraction also carries the danger of contamination…
Red Bull and Rauch did not respond to [DW’s] requests for information.
WACOCA: People, Life, Style.