Nestlé, a global leader in the food and beverage industry, firmly believes in the power of food to enhance the quality of life. This belief drives its commitment to contribute to a healthier future for both people and the planet. At the heart of Nestlé's purpose is creating shared value, which aims to unlock the power of food to improve lives today and for generations to come. This case study explores Nestlé's approach to sustainability, with a focus on its use of natural solutions.
Close-up of a cocoa tree, cocoa plantations in the background. AI generated picture.
Nestlé's sustainability strategy is comprehensive and interconnected, aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a 50% reduction by 2030 compared to its 2018 baseline of 92 million tonnes of CO2e. Its commitments include striving for deforestation-free supply chains, advancing regenerative agriculture at scale, improving water stewardship, developing better packaging solutions, and creating opportunities for young people while fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. To achieve its net-zero goals, it focuses on emissions reductions and carbon removals, which include using natural climate solutions such as restoring wetlands, enhancing natural habitats, or planting trees to increase carbon storage in soils within its value chain.
Read more: Planting the future: Nestlé's bold move to cut cocoa emissions
Acknowledging the exacerbation of the global food crisis by climate change, Nestlé has adopted a climate-centred approach. It is accelerating efforts to provide systemic solutions to these challenges. A key element of its strategy is the Net Zero Roadmap, which outlines its goal to halve its carbon footprint by 2030. This transformation encompasses converting trucks to alternative fuels, switching factories to renewable electricity, and introducing recyclable and reusable packaging.
Nestlé is committed to advancing regenerative food systems at scale, focusing on protecting, renewing, and restoring farmland and landscapes. By working with farmers to transition to regenerative agricultural practices, Nestlé aims to create a more resilient future for the planet and its people. It aims to source 20% of its key ingredients through regenerative agriculture by 2025, and 50% by 2030. This helps to reduce the environmental footprint of its ingredients. Its Good for You strategy further supports balanced diets by improving the nutritional value of its global portfolio.
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To ensure a fair and resilient transition to regenerative agriculture, Nestlé supports farming communities by providing financial assistance, remunerating good practices, and offering technical and scientific guidance. Programmes like the Nescafé Plan, Nespresso AAA Sustainable QualityTM Program, and the income accelerator programme are designed to facilitate this transition while promoting human rights.
Central to Nestlé's sustainability efforts is the protection of natural resources, particularly forests, through its Forest Positive strategy and Global Reforestation Program. These initiatives, along with improved water stewardship and sourcing deforestation-free ingredients, aim to safeguard biodiversity and address climate impacts.
Nestlé's Global Reforestation Program includes a significant project announced at COP27 Biodiversity Day: the planting of 10 million trees in Australia by 2025. This initiative, in partnership with Greening Australia, Canopy, and One Tree Planted, is part of a larger goal to plant 200 million trees by 2030. Its goal is to plant healthy forests that remove carbon from the atmosphere and create a positive impact on biodiversity and communities. The 10 million trees are expected to sequester an estimated 2.1 million tonnes of CO2 over a 25-year carbon crediting period, equivalent to the emissions from more than 25,000 cars annually.
Working closely with local landholders and communities, the project will plant native tree species to restore biodiversity, improve water quality, and enhance degraded soils. The trees will be planted in regions linked to Nestlé's raw material sources and will be registered for carbon credits with Australia's Clean Energy Regulator. This long-term commitment ensures ongoing environmental and economic benefits as the trees mature over 28 years.
Read more: What makes DGB’s reforestation projects unique?
Nestlé's dedication to sustainability through a holistic and nature-centred approach exemplifies its commitment to creating shared value. By advancing regenerative agriculture, supporting a just transition, and implementing significant carbon credit projects, Nestlé is making substantial strides towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Nature-based solutions go beyond addressing carbon emissions; they represent a holistic approach to sustainability. The impactful outcomes of DGB Group’s nature-based projects showcase the transformative power of initiatives rooted in nature. Our efforts include large-scale reforestation, afforestation, community-based agroforestry, and the implementation of energy-efficient cooking solutions. Collaborating with local communities, government bodies, and various stakeholders, we aim to ensure our initiatives are socially and environmentally responsible, providing tangible benefits to the communities and ecosystems they affect. Through our projects, we are planting millions of trees, restoring degraded lands, and revitalising biodiversity.
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