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Acting on climate change

Climate change is a critical global challenge, and already affects how we do business. In the last century, average global temperatures rose by almost 1°C, causing huge changes in our climate and forcing food producers to adjust how, when and where they grow their crops.


25.7% of electricity obtained from renewable sources

33.2% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per tonne of product since 2007

58 new refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants installed in 2017

Our approach

To help combat the causes of global warming, we are determined to reduce our GHG emissions and use more renewable energy. We have set ambitious targets to improve environmental performance and are striving towards zero environmental impact in our operations. As we rely on farmers and food producers to supply our key raw materials, we are always looking for ways to become more resilient and produce food with fewer natural resources.

Striving for zero

Around 97% of the energy needed by our Nescafé Dolce Gusto plant in Montes Claros, Brazil, is met using renewable sources. The few remaining GHG emissions are offset through external projects financed through the purchase of carbon credits. Montes Claros also has a neutral impact on water and waste for disposal, making it our first factory to reach this ‘triple-zero’ milestone.

Climate Smart Cocoa

We support smallholder cocoa producers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire through our partnership with Feed the Future, a US government initiative that supports national approaches to addressing the causes of hunger and poverty. Through its Climate Smart Cocoa project, we help farmers adopt agricultural practices that offset the challenges of climate change.

Climate change policy and reporting

We already provide climate change information in our Annual Report package, using the Climate Change Reporting Framework developed by the Climate Disclosure Standards Board. And in 2017, we strengthened our reporting by implementing the Guide for Responsible Corporate Engagement in Climate Policy, developed by CDP, the UN Global Compact, Ceres, The Climate Group, WWF and the World Resources Institute.

Committed to 100% renewable electricity

As a member of RE100, we aim to procure 100% of our electricity from renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydropower within the shortest practical timescale. We have doubled the renewable electricity since last year and reached around 25.7% of renewable electricity in 2017. In some markets, such as Germany, UK and Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Italy and Brazil, we procure 100% renewable electricity. In 2017, we shared best practice examples of renewable energy use with other RE100 members through webinars and a conference in Brussels.

Powered by waste and by-products

We are increasing our use of renewable fuels, with some factories using spent coffee grounds as a renewable fuel and others using wood chips. Our Henniez bottling factory in Switzerland has halved its CO2 emissions since it opened a biogas plant. This is powered by manure from local dairy farms, mixed with coffee waste from our Nespresso and Nescafé factories nearby.

Sustainable distribution at Nestlé Waters

Continuing to explore distribution options that lower emissions, Nestlé Waters converted 8% of its fleet in Italy from diesel to gas-powered vehicles at the start of 2017. Nestlé Waters North America is also introducing alternative fuels to reduce its carbon footprint, switching 595 of its ReadyRefresh delivery vehicles to propane gas by October 2017.