Our road to net zero

Climate change is one of society's and our business' greatest challenges. We aim to reduce our GHG emissions by 50% by 2030, from the 2018 baseline,* and reach net zero by 2050, at the latest.

In line with the United Nations,¹ net zero means reducing carbon emissions to a low level, leaving only residual emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature and other carbon dioxide removal measures, leaving zero emitted into the atmosphere by human activities.

In 2019, we announced our ambition to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest. In 2026, we updated our timebound plan, Nestlé's Roots of Net Zero (pdf, 14Mb), 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 nature-based solutions, such as agroforestry, silvopasture and the restoration of forests and peatland. Our targets include our specific Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) sector objectives for 2030 and 2050.

Our plan addresses Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and includes steps such as reducing GHG emissions in the sourcing of our ingredients, scaling regenerative agriculture and transitioning towards renewable electricity. Our plan partially relies on new technologies and policies that support the decarbonization of the economy. We will balance any remaining emissions through high-quality nature-based solutions.

Almost all our GHG emissions (~95%) are from Scope 3 emissions. Dairy and livestock ingredients are the largest single source of our Scope 3 emissions, representing approximately 30% of Nestlé's GHG emissions. 

* Net reductions (%) of GHG emissions versus 2018 baseline includes removals from inside Nestlé's value chains and sourcing landscapes (pending the publication of the SBTi guidance on neutralization). Certain categories of emissions are excluded from our SBTi net zero target. Despite these exclusions, 90% of our total Scope 3 emissions are included in the net zero scope and target.

How we are reducing emissions

GHG reductions and removals

To achieve net zero emissions, we are reducing emissions across our business and supply chains. 

Our Roots of Net Zero climate and nature strategy and transition plan explains, among other things, how we pursue responsible sourcing of ingredients, collaborate with suppliers, farmers and communities to scale regenerative agriculture practices, and leverage our Dairy Plan (pdf, 13Mb) to address the environmental impact of that supply chain.

Regenerative agriculture practices aim to improve soil health and absorb carbon, as well as conserve and restore other natural resources. It works alongside our responsible sourcing efforts, where we improve the traceability of our ingredients and monitor how they are produced through applying our environmental and human rights requirements. 

For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, we are pursuing efficiency in manufacturing, packaging and logistics. We are reducing energy consumption at our factories and logistics sites we own. Among other actions, we are investing in efficiency improvements, seeking opportunities to redesign processes and sourcing more renewable energy. 

We are reducing the risk of deforestation through assessing key ingredients* as deforestation-free. Our plan also includes carbon removals through nature-based solutions, such as agroforestry, silvopasture, and the restoration of forests and peatland. Projects occur within the landscapes where we source our raw materials, supporting forest restoration, wetland rehabilitation and peatland preservation. Each one aims to benefit biodiversity and local communities while creating measurable carbon benefits. 

* Cocoa, green coffee, meat, palm oil, pulp and paper, soy, and sugar.