Following Nestlé’s global announcement of its roadmap to halve its emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Nestlé Australia has confirmed its promise to accelerate commitments locally.
Nestlé Oceania CEO, Sandra Martinez said, “Tackling climate change can’t wait, so neither will we. As a signatory of the UN ‘Business Ambition for 1.5°C’ pledge, Nestlé is one of the first companies to share its detailed, time-bound plan, and to do so ahead of schedule.
“As Nestlé releases its climate roadmap, I am proud to say that in Australia, Nestlé is ready to step up to the challenge and accelerate our work to improve our future on this critical front.”
Nestle Australia has started to make progress in a number of areas as it works towards net zero.
Manufacturing and operations
In Australia, more than 60% of the energy powering the Nescaféfactory in regional Queensland comes from renewable bioenergy sources, including used coffee grounds. In the NSW mid north coast, more than 80% of the Milo factory’s power comes from using sawdust waste from a local timber mill.
The company is working towards renewable electricity within the next five years for all Australian sites including factories, offices, boutiques and distribution centres.
Product portfolio
Nestlé is increasing the number of ‘carbon neutral’ brands. For example, Nespresso, San Pellegrino, and Perrier have already committed to carbon neutrality by 2022, and now the Harvest Gourmetrange of plant-based meat alternatives has made the same commitment.
The company has introduced plant-based alternatives for existing products, such as Milo Plant Based and NescaféGold Plant-Based Latte. Further investment is also being made in plant-based products to limit the impact on the environment and enhance the quality of life of local families.
Packaging
Transforming how packaging is made, used and recycled plays in an important role in the journey to net zero. Nestlé continues to make progress on its efforts to make 100% of its packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025, which will significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions footprint.
The company also wants to help increase end-of-life recycling rates to tackle packaging waste and reduce raw materials used. Nestlé and Australian recycler iQ Renew have commenced a trial which is seeing soft plastics collected through kerbside recycling and diverted from landfill.
With most post-consumer soft plastic going to landfill, the trial aims to find ways to collect household soft plastic and turn it into a resource. The trial has commenced with 2,000 households on the NSW Central Coast, with plans to extend it to around 140,000 homes.