Agroforestry Projects Take Root
Nestlé, the global food and beverage leader, has launched two significant agroforestry projects in partnership with Cargill and ETG | Beyond Beans. These initiatives are integral to Nestlé’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Over five years, these programs will focus on regenerative agriculture practices and reforesting areas around cocoa farms, distributing various shade tree species to farmers and educating them on planting and maintenance techniques. These shade trees are crucial for mitigating the sun’s intensity, maintaining moisture for cocoa crops, and enhancing water management while sequestering atmospheric carbon.
Responsible Sourcing at the Forefront
Nestlé’s sustainability strategy emphasizes responsible sourcing, which includes evaluating farming practices, their environmental impact, and adherence to human rights and animal welfare by suppliers. The company aims to responsibly source 100% of its key ingredients by 2030. The collaboration with Cargill and ETG | Beyond Beans is expected to result in the planting of over two million shade trees by nearly 20,000 farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, potentially reducing and removing over 500,000 tonnes of carbon over two decades.
Incentivizing Sustainable Growth
The success of these projects hinges on the survival rate of the trees. Farmers will receive incentives for planting and nurturing the seedlings. Darrell High, Nestlé’s Global Cocoa Manager, highlights these projects as critical steps towards net-zero, focusing on reducing emissions from the farms supplying Nestlé. The company has set interim targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2025 and 50% by 2030 from its 2018 levels, with a 13.58% net reduction already achieved in 2023.
