Nestlé has announced its ambition to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The company says it embraces the most ambitious aim of the Paris Agreement, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and ahead of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit this month, Nestlé will sign the Business Ambition for 1.5°C pledge.
With this announcement, Nestlé says it has accelerated its climate change efforts, building on a decade of work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Over the past four years, Nestlé has aligned its objectives with science-based targets to keep the temperature increase below 2°C. Over the next two years, it will lay out a time-bound plan including interim targets consistent with the 1.5°C path. Nestlé will review its progress annually to ensure it is on track.
“Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face as a society. It is also one of the greatest risks to the future of our business,” Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider says.
“We are running out of time to avoid the worst effects of global warming. That is why we are setting a bolder ambition to reach a net-zero future. Deploying Nestlé’s global resources and industry know-how, we know we can make a difference at significant scale. Our journey to net zero has already started. Now, we are accelerating our efforts.”
To achieve its 2050 ambition, some of the company’s specific actions include:
- Speeding up the transformation of its products in line with consumer trends and choices. Nestlé will launch more products that have a better environmental footprint and contribute to a balanced diet. This includes reformulating its products using more climate-friendly ingredients and moving to alternative packaging materials.
- Scaling up initiatives in agriculture to absorb more carbon. Nestlé will step up efforts to protect forests by replanting trees and enhancing biodiversity.
- Using 100 per cent renewable electricity in Nestlé factories, warehouses, logistics, and offices. A third of Nestlé factories, 143 total, have already met this goal. Nestlé will also continue to increase the use of energy from renewable sources
“To align our goals to the 1.5°C pathway, we are transforming our operations. This will lead to a major shift in the way our ingredients are produced and sourced,” Nestlé Executive Vice President, Head of Operations Magdi Batato says.
“We will need our suppliers to embark on this journey with us. The task is huge but we are determined to make it happen.”
Nestlé says limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires transformational change across industries, governments and society as a whole, and it will continue its advocacy for government policies to ensure all sectors move faster towards 1.5°C.
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