Definitions
Water withdrawal: The sum of water used by Nestlé factories from all sources, including purchases from suppliers as well as surface, ground and rain water sources. This includes water that may be treated through industrial services (such as softening and demineralising), non-contact cooling water, water used for cleaning and water used by itself as a raw material (e.g. for bottled waters) but does not include water contained in raw materials (e.g. from milk). (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN8*)
Energy consumption (Direct): The sum of all energy consumed on Nestlé factory sites, whether purchased or produced - less any energy that, in some cases, is sold. This includes purchased electricity, purchased steam, purchased hot water, energy required for producing steam and energy generated from fuels (oil, natural gas, etc) including from by-products used for energy recovery (e.g. coffee grounds, etc). This indicator considers all energy sources used on each factory site as well as all processes and activities, including both production (industrial processes) and business activities (offices, laboratories, etc) taking place at the factory site. (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN3*)
Energy consumption (Indirect): The amount of energy Nestlé uses indirectly through the purchase of electricity, heat or steam. This indicator measures the energy required to produce and deliver purchased electricity and any other intermediate energy products (such as district heat) that involve significant energy consumption upstream from our reporting boundary. This information also enables calculations of indirect greenhouse gas emissions. It covers Scope 2 of the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol and addresses part of the GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN16. Typically a default factor is used based on data from the energy supplier or country default values.
Total water discharge: The sum of all water effluents discharged from Nestlé factories. Water effluents are generated in manufacturing from processing, cleaning and some cooling processes. (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN21*)
Greenhouse gases (Direct): The sum of all on-site greenhouse gas emissions at Nestlé factories which arise from combustion processes used to manufacture products as well as the CO2 equivalents from refrigerants. These greenhouse gas emissions can result from burning of fuels in boilers, roasters, dryers, electric generators and from refrigerants losses (CO2 eq). Not included are greenhouse gases arising from transportation and business travel. (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN16*)
Greenhouse gases (Indirect): These are greenhouse gas emissions arising from the generation of electricity, hot water and steam which is purchased by Nestlé or otherwise brought into our organizational boundary. The emissions physically occur at the facility where the electricty is generated (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN 16, corresponding to GHG Protocol Scope 2 emissions). Typically publicly available country-specific default factors are used to calculate this from the purchased energy qualities.
Air acidification: The sum of all SOx and NOx gas emissions at Nestlé factories resulting from the total on site energy consumption, converted into SOx equivalents. (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN20*)
Ozone depletion potential: The sum of substances emitted from Nestlé factories which have been shown to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, that is, having an ozone depletion potential. The common unit of measurement is R-11 equivalents. R-11 is one type of refrigerant, which has been assigned an ozone depleting potential of one, with all other ozone depleting substances being assigned relative values. The ozone depletion potential of each substance is determined using conversion factors commonly agreed by relevant authorities. These substances are primarily refrigerants in equipment used to cool or freeze products. (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN19*)
By-product: Any materials that are generated during the manufacture of a product that leave the factory and is destined for reuse or recovery, including recycling, composting and incineration with heat recovery. They are not limited just to the product manufactured; they include all materials used to support the manufacture. (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN22*)
Waste (for disposal): Waste is any material, which arises during the manufacture or distribution stage of a product at a factory site that is destined for final disposal to off site landfill or to incineration without heat recovery. Not included are extraordinary wastes generated on a non-routine basis, such as construction and demolition waste, contaminated soils, etc. (GRI G3 Environmental Indicator EN22*)
* We are one of the first food companies to join the Global Reporting Initiative multi-stakeholder programme to develop global reporting standards and indicators on sustainability in the food industry. For further information about the Global Reporting Initiative visit the GRI website 