Nestlé has joined the international race to zero campaign, which is tasked with mobilising the leadership of businesses, cities, regions and investors on the eve of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and supporting a healthy and stable recovery from the impact of carbon dioxide emissions. The campaign aims to drive a new growth and innovation agenda to support a more inclusive and resilient economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The race to zero will bring together leaders who have pledged to achieve a complete absence of emissions by 2050 at the latest, in line with international efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. In addition, all participants will present a plan and set milestones for the next decade before COP26.
Nestlé is already racing toward zero. The company is accelerating its efforts in the fight against climate change and is committed to achieving complete absence of emissions by 2050 . Nestlé will publish an action plan including milestones corresponding to a direction of 1.5°C.
Nestlé is aware that its chances of success depend on changes throughout the system and encourage others to do the same. Concerted international efforts will also be needed to ensure that the recovery from COVID-19 recovers the economy while allowing the world to combat climate change.
Before taking part in the Racing to Zero virtual launch event, Mark Schneider, ceo of Nestlé, said: "We understand that the problem of climate change will not wait, so we will not either. Time is essential and we need to make rapid progress in the short term in order to build a better future as we recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Nestlé is committed to this goal. We will work with others and use our expertise as well as the power of our brands to move forward rapidly. Creating a more sustainable food system will be a key element in tackling climate change and we are going to contribute."
For example, Nestlé invests in a fleet of hybrid cars to meet its environmental commitments. Over the next three years, the company will completely switch to hybrid cars, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions by a healthy 30 percent. This step towards the complete absence of emissions has already been taken in the Baltics: already in June, the replacement of nestlé Baltics service cars for hybrid cars has begun.
"By the end of the year, almost half of Nestlé Baltics' service cars will be replaced by hybrid cars. This is another example of how we are actively taking action to combat climate change and to approach the goal of becoming climate neutral," says Natalija Piparienė,HR Manager in the Baltic States.
Nestlé hybrid cars do not need to be charged from the mains. Each car recovers kinetic energy during braking and stores it in a battery that converts it into electricity. This means that the car uses only an electric motor. In addition, hybrid cars travel part of the distance only with an electric motor – in urban conditions it reaches up to 50 percent.