The world’s largest food and drink company, Nestlé, is set to sell more vegan products and develop lower carbon versions of best-selling brands as part of its new plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The food giant, which owns high profile brands such as KitKat, Nespresso, Smarties, San Pellegrino, and Quality Street, already has a Science-Based Target in place to cut emissions from its operations and supply chains in line with a two degree Celsius warming trajectory.
British environmental news website BusinessGreen reports now it has announced it wants to “accelerate” action to tackle global warming because “time is running out” to avert the worst effects of climate change.
“Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face as a society,” BusinessGreeen reported Mark Schneider, Nestlé CEO as saying.
“It is also one of the greatest risks to the future of our business.
“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.”
Nestlé said it will set out a time-bound plan within the next two years that explains how it will reach net zero emissions by 2050, with interim targets and annual progress reviews to ensure it stays on track.
BusinesGreen reported the company acknowledged that the new goal is likely to require it to “transform” its products to cut their environmental impact, including reformulating recipes and launching new plant-based food and drink options.
“Consumer demand for such products is rapidly increasing, and Nestlé’s core strategy is in line with this shift,” Nestlé said in a statement.
In addition, it said it would scale up agriculture initiatives to store carbon, investing in programs to train farmers, restore soil health, replant trees, and enhance biodiversity.
“All of these initiatives will help build resilient agricultural communities,” Nestlé said.
The company also said that while a third of Nestlé factories already run on renewable energy it will continue to increase the proportion of green power it uses until it runs entirely on renewable energy.
“To align our goals to the 1.5°C pathway, we are transforming our operations,” said Magdi Batato, executive vice president and head of operations at Nestlé.
“This will lead to a major shift in the way our ingredients are produced and sourced.
“We will need our suppliers to embark on this journey with us. The task is huge but we are determined to make it happen.”
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