Climate action by our brands

The mix of products and ingredients we use in our portfolio impacts our overall carbon footprint. Portfolio management is therefore one of the ways in which we can advance our aim of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

As part of our Net Zero Roadmap, we are evolving our portfolio. This includes launching new products, such as plant-based options, and reformulating some of our existing products, as further described below.

Key terms explained

Net zero
Nestlé has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 at the latest. In 2020, we published our timebound plan, the Nestlé Net Zero Roadmap (pdf, 16Mb), which underpins our Group’s climate strategy and acts as our transition plan aligned with a 1.5°C pathway as validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). We will balance any remaining emissions through high-quality natural climate solutions. Read more about net zero.

Evolving our product portfolio to support our net zero journey

KitKat: an iconic brand working for people and the environment

KitKat Breaks for Good believes in making a positive impact on the environment and cocoa-growing communities.

As the champion of breaks, KitKat uses Breaks for Good to highlight its commitment to good practices across the value chain.

The journey begins with the cocoa used in KitKat products. We are now working with more than 30 000 cocoa-farming families in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana through the income accelerator program. This program aims to close the living income gap and reduce child labor risks by encouraging behavior change and rewarding positive practices through mobile cash transfers and training programs. It supports cocoa-farming families in using techniques such as pruning to boost productivity and planting forest and fruit trees to enhance biodiversity and reduce carbon footprint. Additionally, it assists with school expenses, helping children to get into the classroom.
KitKat is also committed to other sustainability initiatives, such as packaging innovations that utilize paper-based technology and recycled plastics.

Nespresso and our climate journey

Nespresso is accelerating action to reach the SBTi approved net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 goal through three key levers: decarbonisation of the Nespresso green coffee supply chain and adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, innovation and redesign in products, systems and markets; and optimisation of energy and logistics.

Key terms explained

Regenerative agriculture
In line with the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform, Nestlé defines regenerative agriculture as an approach to farming which aims to conserve and restore natural resources, primarily soil, as well as water and biodiversity, while capturing carbon in soils and plant biomass, and to support farmers’ livelihoods. Examples of regenerative agriculture practices include reduced tillage and agroforestry. More information is available in our Nestlé Agriculture Framework (pdf, 19Mb). Read more about regenerative agriculture.

Growing our plant-based brands

We produce a growing range of plant-based alternatives to meat products which includes burgers, sausages, tuna and filet pieces, as well as veggie-centric bakes and falafel. For example, Maggi Rindecarne, a mix of soy and spices that allows consumers to prepare a dish combining meat and plant-based proteins, doubling the amount of servings at an affordable price.

Innovating with fewer emissions

We are launching new product innovations that provide consumers with lower carbon choices. For example, in Nigeria, we launched Nido Milk and Soya, combining the goodness of milk and soy. The product is a source of proteins, fibers, iron and calcium and is fortified with essential vitamins.

Also, in the Philippines, we expanded the popular Bear Brand range with a new offering of milk blended with plant-based protein. By combining plant-based and animal-based proteins we are able to reduce the carbon footprint of these products.