Nestlé’s road to zero emissions by 2050 tackles emissions-intensive dairy and beef

03 Dec 2020 --- Nestlé has defined its detailed, time-bound plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The phased approach aims to halve the company’s emissions by 2030 and realize net zero status by 2050.

To accomplish this, the global food giant plans to accelerate current initiatives, evolve its operations and uncover ways to balance remaining emissions through high-quality carbon removal projects or innovation.

“We are striving for a more sustainable future, toward a healthier planet, a stronger society and a thriving economy,” says Steve Presley, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA.

“That’s why we are building on our existing work to set ambitious goals that will make a real difference, and why we continue to look for new and innovative ways to achieve them in our market.”

By the end of 2020, 100 percent of Nestlé’s US manufacturing facilities will achieve zero waste for disposal.As part of the global effort, Nestlé announced new commitments and projects in the US, its largest market, to accelerate its path towards a sustainable future. 

The company is reimagining aspects of its US business – from the ingredients that it uses, to the packaging that keeps its food and beverages safe, to how it makes and transports its products. 

As a signatory of the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C pledge, Nestlé is one of the first companies to share its plan and reports to have done so ahead of schedule. 

The company emitted 92 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, which will serve as the baseline for measuring progress.

Racing toward carbon neutrality
Nestlé’s brands aim to achieve carbon neutrality by investing in a mix of renewable energy, packaging and operational improvements, and high-quality offset projects.

Several of Nestlé’s US brands announced new commitments to achieve carbon neutrality. Sweet Earth Foods, a plant-based food innovator, has committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. Meanwhile, Garden of Life, natural products producer, commits to achieve carbon neutrality by 2022.

Other international brands sold in the US have announced similar commitments.

Perrier, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna percent are set to achieve carbon neutrality by 2022. Nespresso has also announced very cup of its coffee will be carbon neutral by 2022.

Improving fuel-intensive logistics
Nestlé expects to complete the transition of its 800 sites in the 187 countries where it operates to 100 percent renewable electricity within the next five years.

Meanwhile, the plan to convert the food giant’s fleet transportation to electric vehicles is expected to significantly reduce its fossil fuel use and overall carbon emissions.

The company has unveiled a pilot fleet electrification plan to test the use of electric trucks on a 20-mile short haul route in Ohio. Transportation accounts for 17 percent of its current US GHG emissions.

Cutting back carbon footprint of ingredients
Nestlé is partnering with industry experts and suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of its most emission-intensive ingredients: dairy and beef. 

The company was recently the first corporate partner to join the Net Zero Initiative. The project is an industry-wide effort that will play a key role in helping US dairy make progress toward greenhouse gas emissions reductions and significant improvements in water usage from field to farmgate.

Nestlé is also working with supply chain partners and beef ranchers to help scale regenerative grazing practices in the Northern Great Plains in Montana.

Scaling up earth-friendly packaging
Nestlé has reported progress on its efforts to make 100 percent of its packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025, which it expects will significantly reduce its GHG emissions footprint.

Nestlé USA is converting 100 percent of its creamer portfolio, including Coffee Mate and Coffee Mate natural bliss to fully recyclable bottles by 2022. 

The plan to convert Nestlé’s fleet transportation to electric vehicles is expected to significantly reduce its fossil fuel use and overall carbon emissions.The new bottle and shrink sleeve are 100 percent PET, made with recycling-compatible inks and materials recognized by the Association of Plastic Recycling. With this move, Coffee Mate is the first major creamer brand to commit to using fully recyclable shrink sleeves for PET bottles in the US.

This follows the launch of Starbucks Creamer in a fully recyclable bottle in 2019 and makes recycling easier for the consumer as the entire bottle, including cap, body and sleeve can be recycled together.

Meanwhile, Nestlé Toll House is now delivering new Bite-Sized Chocolate Chip Edible Cookie Dough at select retailers in a fully recyclable flexible plastic bag, including the zipper. The package can be recycled through store drop-off collection bins at many How2Recycle retail members.

Zero waste disposal across Nestlé US
By the end of 2020, 100 percent of Nestlé’’s US manufacturing facilities will achieve zero waste for disposal, avoiding sending approximately 300,000 metric tons of waste to landfills per year. 

Nestlé Purina PetCare is partnering with conservation organizations and America’s farmers to help implement sustainable practices, like regenerative agriculture, that improve the soil health, protect biodiversity and enhance overall production. 

Gerber continues to source high-quality ingredients for its baby food offerings through its Clean Field Farming practices while working to reduce the impact of its packaging. 

In addition, Nestlé will continue to introduce new meatless and plant-based protein products under its popular household brands, such as Sweet Earth Foods, Coffee mate natural bliss and Starbucks Creamers, Stouffer’s, Life Cuisine and DiGiorno.

Meanwhile, with its recent US$30 million investment in the Closed Loop Leadership Fund, the company is helping to upgrade US recycling infrastructure and secure access to food-grade recycled plastics.

Nestlé also continues to advocate for federal and state policies that expand renewable energy infrastructure and incentives, and to fight bills that curb renewable energy expansion.

The company expects to invest a total of CHF 3.2 billion (US$3.6 billion) over the next five years to accelerate our work, including CHF 1.2 billion (US$1.3 billion) to spark regenerative agriculture across the company’s supply chain.

“Tackling climate change can’t wait and neither can we. It is imperative to the long-term success of our business,” underscores Mark Schneider, CEO.

Edited by Benjamin Ferrer