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SWITZERLAND – Nestlé, the multinational food and beverage company, has achieved a remarkable net reduction of 13.5 percent in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023 compared to its 2018 baseline, demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Notably, this reduction includes a substantial decrease of more than 15.3 percent in methane emissions.
The company has effectively decoupled its growth from emissions, indicating a promising trajectory towards its goal of a 20 percent absolute reduction in GHG emissions by 2025.
Antonia Wanner, Group Head of ESG Strategy and Deployment at Nestlé, emphasized their dedication, stating, “Our progress on emissions reductions is proof of our unwavering commitment to our net-zero roadmap.”
Nestlé’s concerted efforts to reduce emissions span across all three scopes of activities (scope 1, 2, and 3), with a significant portion—94 percent—of the decline in GHG emissions achieved through measures in its operations and supply chain.
Wanner highlighted the company’s collaborative approach, stating, “We are working closely with our partners to help make food production more sustainable, while aiming at enhancing livelihoods across our value chain at the same time. A just transition is crucial to accelerate our efforts.”
Recognizing that over two-thirds of its GHG emissions originate from ingredient sourcing, Nestlé is actively engaging with suppliers and farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture practices.
This approach focuses on diverse cropping systems, biodiversity, collective and landscape actions, soil health, and water security and quality, tailored to local contexts.
Wanner added that Nestlé is committed to supporting a just transition for farmers, providing technical, collaborative, or financial assistance.
Initiatives in coffee and cocoa have contributed significantly to emission reductions, with projects such as the Nescafé Plan 2030 and the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program.
By the end of 2023, 15.2 percent of Nestlé’s raw materials were sourced from farmers practicing regenerative agriculture, with a target to reach 20 percent by 2025. Additionally, the company is improving its own operations’ energy efficiency, with 91.9 percent of electricity sourced globally from renewable sources by the end of 2023.
Looking ahead, Nestlé aims to further reduce emissions through agroforestry, deforestation prevention, and innovative farming practices.
The company has approved science-based emissions reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), reinforcing its commitment to sustainability without relying on offsets or voluntary market credits.
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