Our approach
The global food system, nature and climate change are intrinsically linked. Therefore, our approach includes strategies that aim to improve biodiversity, empower communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Our progress
20.7
%
1 There has been a change in the key ingredients scope from 2026 onwards. The new scope is: cereals and grains; cocoa; coconut; dairy (derivatives and fresh milk); hazelnuts; green coffee; meat, poultry and eggs; soy; spices; sugar; vegetables; and vegetable fat oils (including palm oil).
2 This performance number differs from the one available in our Non-Financial Statement 2025 due to a change in the methodology during the first half of 2026. Now we consider ingredients volumes converted back to their original fresh state, instead of their processed form.
Learn more in the Environmental Disclosures section of our 2025 Non-Financial Statement (pdf, 16Mb).
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.
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.
Supporting nature to help address climate change
We are working to help conserve and enhance ecosystem services as part of our plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Learn more about out plans on this target on Roots of Net Zero (pdf, 14Mb).
As part of that goal, we seek to advance responsible sourcing, scale regenerative agriculture and maintain assessed deforestation-free primary supply chains. We also help conserve and restore ecosystems, aiming to support carbon sinks, water security and biodiversity.
For example, our Global Restoration Program* supports landscape initiatives in our sourcing locations by implementing large-scale reforestation and restoration projects.
To help strengthen biodiversity, water resources and soil health, we support scaling up regenerative agriculture practices, guided by our Nestlé Agriculture Framework (pdf, 19Mb).
* The Global Restoration Program was formerly known as the Global Reforestation Program.
Key terms explained
Ecosystem services
Ecosystem services are the benefits humans obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services (e.g., food provisioning, fresh water, climate regulation, air and water purification, and pollination).
Ecosystem services
Ecosystem services are the benefits humans obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services (e.g., food provisioning, fresh water, climate regulation, air and water purification, and pollination).
Our Roots of Net Zero strategy and transition plan: helping to tackle climate change
In 2019, we announced our ambition to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest. In 2026, we updated our timebound plan, the Nestlé Roots of Net Zero (pdf, 14Mb), which underpins our Group’s climate and nature 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. Aspects of this transition plan, such as responsible sourcing (e.g. progress on deforestation-free supply chains), logistics (e.g. helping to reduce air pollution) and removing carbon from the atmosphere (e.g. planting hedges, windbreakers or riparian buffers), have the potential to contribute to nature and benefit the communities whose livelihoods depend on healthy ecosystems.
Key terms explained
Deforestation-free
Deforestation-free means that commodities in scope were assessed as produced on land that has not been subject to deforestation or conversion after a specific cut-off date that varies by commodity, but no later than December 31, 2020. Commodities accounted as deforestation-free include in part commodities subject to the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation. However, the scope of disclosed metric goes beyond these jurisdiction-specific mandatory requirements as part of Nestlé’s global approach on deforestation. Read more about deforestation.
Deforestation-free
Deforestation-free means that commodities in scope were assessed as produced on land that has not been subject to deforestation or conversion after a specific cut-off date that varies by commodity, but no later than December 31, 2020. Commodities accounted as deforestation-free include in part commodities subject to the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation. However, the scope of disclosed metric goes beyond these jurisdiction-specific mandatory requirements as part of Nestlé’s global approach on deforestation. Read more about deforestation.
Responsible sourcing
For Nestlé, responsible sourcing means improving the traceability of our ingredients and monitoring how they are produced. This involves applying our environmental and human rights requirements - detailed in our Responsible Sourcing Core Requirements (pdf, 2Mb) - at the different stages of our supply chain. Examples of these requirements include that land and resources of Indigenous peoples and local communities are respected, and that no deforestation and no conversion of forests and other ecosystems occur in our supply chain. Read more about responsible sourcing.
For Nestlé, responsible sourcing means improving the traceability of our ingredients and monitoring how they are produced. This involves applying our environmental and human rights requirements - detailed in our Responsible Sourcing Core Requirements (pdf, 2Mb) - at the different stages of our supply chain. Examples of these requirements include that land and resources of Indigenous peoples and local communities are respected, and that no deforestation and no conversion of forests and other ecosystems occur in our supply chain. Read more about responsible sourcing.
Water stewardship
Water stewardship for Nestlé means taking a holistic approach to water use across our operations and supply chains, including:
Water stewardship for Nestlé means taking a holistic approach to water use across our operations and supply chains, including:
- Managing water resources in and around our sites, with actions tailored to local watershed needs and risks.
- Supporting the right to water, including access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for workers and communities surrounding our factories.
- Supporting environmental outcomes through projects designed to help improve water quality, strengthen local water resilience, and support biodiversity.
- Delivering transparent, third-party verified results through certification (e.g. AWS), public reporting, and independent performance measurement (such as the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting methodology).
- Engaging in collaborative action with stakeholders, including local communities, farmers, NGOs, and public authorities, to address shared water challenges and drive systemic change.
