Nestlé has announced the release of its Creating Shared Value Progress Report 2019, which gives an overview of the company’s progress on the 36 societal and environmental goals to be achieved by the company by the end of 2020.
The company has directed its efforts towards launching more healthy products, responsible sourcing of raw materials and working towards a waste-free future to achieve its goals.
The targets are in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, the company said.
Commenting on the report, the global head of public affairs at Nestlé, Rob Cameron, 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.”
Product Transformation
The report highlighted that Nestlé accelerated product transformation significantly in 2019.
The company launched nearly 1,400 products catering to specific nutritional needs of babies, children, expecting women and new mothers.
It added more products with less sugar and salt content, and more vegetables, proteins and essential vitamins.
Also, Nestlé expanded its ‘all-natural’ range and launched a range of organic breakfast cereals.
By the end of 2019, the company sourced around 70% of its 15 priority commodities from responsible suppliers, the report added.
The move ensures that the raw materials are sourced from supply chains that protect the rights of workers and children and implement measures to stop deforestation.
Waste-Free Future
Nestlé also made progress in its efforts towards a waste-free future by making 87% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by the end of 2019.
The company also reduced packaging by nearly 140,000 tonnes since 2015, thereby surpassing its target for 2020.
By the end of 2019, 80% or approximately 328 of Nestlé factories achieved the zero waste for disposal target, the company added.
In 2019, Nestlé also stepped up efforts to promote diversity and inclusion and introduced a gender-neutral parental support policy for all employees.
The company also launched its Gender Balance Acceleration Plan last year to increase the percentage of women employees in the group’s top 200 senior executive positions from around 20% to 30% by 2022.
Presently, 42% of managerial roles are held by women, the company said.
Coronavirus
Nestlé has joined forces with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“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."
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
