VEVEY, Switzerland – Nestlé released yesterday its full Creating Shared Value ‘Progress Report 2019’. It outlines the progress on its 36 societal and environmental commitments to be achieved by end 2020.
The report provides a detailed overview of Nestlé’s efforts, including launching more healthy products, responsible sourcing of raw materials, and working towards a waste-free future. The company’s 2020 commitments support the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Rob Cameron, Global Head of Public Affairs at Nestlé, said: “This report highlights the progress our company has made in the past year. We know we have much more to do on many issues, which is why we already have new commitments on climate, and plastics and packaging for example. The Coronavirus pandemic is bringing the role of business in society into even sharper focus and we will continue to play our part in support of our people, our suppliers, customers and consumers.”
In 2019, Nestlé accelerated the transformation of its products. For example, the company launched nearly 1 400 products last year to address the specific needs and key nutritional gaps of babies, children, expecting women and new mothers. Nestlé continues to introduce more products that contain less sugar and salt, and more vegetables, proteins and essential vitamins. It has also expanded its all-natural offering and launched organic breakfast cereals.
Nestlé has enhanced its work on the ground to address the economic, social and environmental challenges linked to the sourcing of its raw materials. This includes, among others, protecting workers and children rights and halting deforestation. By end 2019, 70% of the volume of Nestlé’s 15 priority commodities were sourced responsibly.
Pursuing its efforts towards a waste-free future, Nestlé invested to transform its operations. As of end 2019, 80% (328) of Nestlé factories achieved zero waste for disposal. Nestlé went beyond its 2020 commitment to avoid the use of 140 000 tonnes of packaging between 2015 and 2020. The company is now accelerating efforts to meet its commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable and reusable by 2025. By end 2019, 87% of Nestlé’s packaging, including plastics, was recyclable or reusable.
Nestlé continued to promote diversity and inclusion at the company. Nestlé introduced a progressive policy, providing gender-neutral support to all employees. Gender balance is also a key component of Nestlé’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
There has been progress in recent years, with 42% of managerial positions now held by women. Nestlé launched its Gender Balance Acceleration Plan last year, to increase the proportion of women in the Group’s top 200 senior executive positions from around 20% to 30% by 2022.
