Following are the key performance indicators that Nestlé uses to measure its performance in Creating Shared Value through effective water resource management. You may also want to view the general 2008 Consolidated Environmental Performance Indicators.
| Water |
2007 |
2008 |
GRI reference |
| Total water withdrawal (million m3) |
157 |
147 |
EN8 |
| Water saved (per tonne of product) over 10years |
59% |
58% |
n/a |
| Total water discharge (million m3) |
101 |
96 |
EN21 |
| Quality of water dischargeed (average mg COD/I) |
62 |
95 |
EN21 |
Water conservation and management
Nestlé’s approach starts with good water management in our own operations. We achieved our water targets for 2008 and reduced water withdrawal per tonne of production by 6% – part of a long-term approach that has seen us reduce water withdrawals per tonne of product by 58% since 1999. We aim to achieve a further water efficiency improvement of at least 10% over the next five years. In relation to bottled water, it now takes 1.76 litres of water to produce 1 litre, a fall of 26% since 1999. This compares favourably with other packaged beverages.
Establishing the water footprint of companies and products is a complex science in its infancy. This year we began participating with industry, NGO and academic partners to develop a sound basis for measurement that can lead to further performance improvements.
From as early as 1929, Nestlé has installed water treatment plants in its operations. 68% of our factories now operate such plants, which often go beyond local legislation, with 98% treating their water on-site or via offsite facilities. In line with international water quality standards, we remove 96% of the organic load in the water used in our production processes before returning it to the environment.
Agriculture accounts for 70% of global fresh water withdrawals and Nestlé agronomists are supporting farmers to adopt good practices. In Shuangcheng, China, we are helping dairy farmers to manage effluent correctly. In Ethiopia, El Salvador, Mexico and Nicaragua, we have helped coffee growers save up to 90% of the water used in the washing and pulping of coffee cherries – one of the most potentially wasteful uses of water.
Through community partnerships this year, we helped provide access to clean water to 22 000 in Rwanda. We are completing a project with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Côte d’Ivoire, developing the Ivorian Red Cross water and sanitation response capacity and providing clean water and sanitation for 50 000 people.
Another IFRC water and sanitation project for schools in the country’s cocoa-growing belt will be carried out in 2009. Our Chairman, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, has consistently championed water sustainability issues. This effort contributed to water being discussed at the January 2008 World Economic Forum’s meeting in Davos. Nestlé has also repeatedly called for water to be given a higher priority and has drawn attention to the serious impact on water resources from biofuels. We have also called for more investment in water infrastructure at country and city level, and better management, governance and pricing of water.
In July 2007, our Chairman was one of several founder signatories of the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate, and by August 2008 this had been endorsed by 32 business leaders.
The Group has recently held working conferences on water footprinting and supply chain, and made a submission to the G8 calling for priority to be given to managing water resources.