What we say
We believe our operations should be environmentally sustainable and efficient. This means reducing our direct impact on the environment, identifying and managing climate change and water risks across our business and, uniquely, working alongside our employees in helping them help the environment.
We also seek to take a broader stance on environmental issues, including working with the communities within which we operate on community environmental projects (see the Community section of our CSV Report for more details).
Our actions are guided by the Nestlé Oceania Environment Policy which was first developed in 2003 and reviewed and updated in 2008.
What we do
Reducing Our Operational Footprint
We are committed to the sustainable management of our manufacturing operations. To us, this means reducing the energy and water used by our factories, distribution centres and offices, reducing waste across our business and minimising the impacts of our packaging.
The ‘Nestlé Eco Reduction Program’ is our key initiative and ensures we are closely measuring our performance and impacts and establishing targets which drive reductions in our energy, water and waste consumption.
In Oceania, all sites are required to develop annual Eco Reduction Plans to reduce energy and water usage and decrease waste generation, and to report on progress. These plans are reviewed monthly to ensure targets are being achieved. Achievements are shared across the business to improve performance and results are recognised through our annual Environment Awards.
In 2008, over 491 tangible efficiency actions were identified across our operations. Of this, over 200 individual water, energy and waste reduction actions have so far been implemented. Reflecting the nature of many resource efficiency projects and to drive greater investment, we also have relaxed our payback period for these projects from two to four years.
Management Systems and Reporting
Central to our environmental policy is the ISO 14001-compliant ‘Nestlé Safety, Health and Environment System’, which establishes the overall framework for managing our environmental impacts and key risks and ensuring compliance with legislation. Each of our factories is required to maintain a management system which meets the requirements of the Safety, Health and Environment System and subsequently ISO 14001. To date, most of Nestlé Oceania factories have achieved ISO 14001 certification with the remaining factories undertaking certification throughout 2009. In 2009, we also intend to certify the corporate Safety, Health and Environment System against ISO 14001 (as well as OHSAS 18001).
We also report our performance through the Federal Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program, National Packaging Covenant, New Zealand Packaging Accord, various state-based reporting requirements and, for the first time in 2009, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme.
Our greenhouse reporting will evolve and improve as we report against NGER in October 2009. Through this process, we aim to provide a fuller picture of our carbon footprint, incorporating emission sources from our Tool of Trade vehicles and corporate offices for example.
To download a copy of our Health and Safety Policy Oceania, click here.
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