Our road to net zero

Climate change is one of society’s greatest challenges. It is also one of the greatest risks to the future of our business. Limiting its severity and impacts requires all of us to act with urgency.

Solutions to the climate crisis and a low-carbon future must be just, addressing human rights and benefiting communities. The majority of our global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from our value chain (95%), from activities like land use and farming. That’s why we’re working with partners throughout our value chain to scale up activities such as regenerative farming. We are working to significantly reduce our GHG emissions, even as our company continues to grow.

In 2020, we published the Nestlé Net Zero Roadmap and since then we have transformed our business to start delivering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across all three Scopes of Nestlé’s activities. We have developed two main strategic approaches that will help tackle our Scope 3 emissions. The Nestlé Forest Positive strategy aims to conserve and restore forests and natural habitats. The Nestlé Agriculture Framework sets out our vision for a more regenerative food and farming system.

What we are doing to reduce emissions

Carbon reductions and removals

To achieve net zero emissions, we need to reduce emissions throughout our business and supply chains.

We collaborate with suppliers, farmers, and communities to increase the use of regenerative agricultural practices. We are also investing in sustainable logistics, packaging and manufacturing activities, and reducing the risk of deforestation.

Our Net Zero Roadmap also includes carbon removals. Natural climate solutions within our supply chain will form a significant part of our decarbonisation pathway, removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

These removals projects take place in the landscapes where we source our raw materials and help restore forests, wetlands, and peatlands. Our projects can also help generate additional benefits for communities and protect biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

From Scope 1 and 2 emissions, our primary strategy is to reduce our energy consumption and increase the share of renewable energy in our factories and within our logistics activities.

These removals projects take place in the landscapes where we source our raw materials, and help restore forests, wetlands and peatlands. Our projects can also help generate additional benefits for communities and protect natural ecosystems.

We have already begun this process, initiating projects that will sequester millions of tonnes of CO₂e over their lifetimes through our Global Reforestation Program.

Our corporate net zero program does not use carbon offsetting outside our value chain. However, in some circumstances, our brands can purchase credits to compensate for additional emissions relating to their life cycle. In those instances, brands may purchase high-quality carbon credits that help fund natural climate solutions and other activities outside of Nestlé's value chain – including tree planting, forest protection and, in some cases, social programs for rural communities. These are not a substitution for or a distraction from our corporate plan and brands are also required to reduce emissions in line with our corporate objectives.