What is Nestlé doing to ensure zero deforestation?

Nestlé is strongly opposed to deforestation. We expect 90% of our key agricultural commodities to be verified deforestation-free by the end of 2020. We remain committed to reaching 100% in line with our 2010 commitment.

In March 2019, we reported that 77% of the top five key commodities (pdf, 600Kb) we buy linked to deforestation (palm oil, pulp and paper, soya, meat and sugar), had been verified as deforestation free.

Through Nestlé’s efforts to decrease deforestation and our no-deforestation commitment, we are using a combination of tools, including supply chain mapping, certification, satellite monitoring and on-site verification.

We remain committed to ensuring that none of our products is associated with deforestation, and continue to work with our suppliers to help them transform practices. We need to engage with smallholder farmers to ensure we strike the right balance between their livelihoods and forest protection.

Achieving real transformation will require increased transparency across the industry, moving beyond no deforestation towards forest conservation and achieving greater collective action on the ground.

Supply chain transparency is key to hold everyone accountable and demonstrate progress. This is why we have made public the list of our suppliers for the 15 priority commodities in our Responsible Context Sourcing program, and report progress against our no-deforestation commitment. We encourage others to do the same.

We are also scaling up initiatives in agriculture to absorb more carbon. This includes strengthening our programs with farmers to restore land and limit greenhouse gas emissions, including through the replanting of trees and enhancing biodiversity. These actions will contribute to our commitment to zero net emissions by 2050.

Finally, effective collective action and collaboration on the ground as well as engagement with governments at national and regional levels are also key. This is why we have increased our involvement in a number of collaborative initiatives and will continue to play a leading role to help drive positive change across the industry.