Nestlé is advancing its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 through the launch of two projects in collaboration with suppliers Cargill and ETG | Beyond Beans. Focused on promoting agroforestry, transitioning to regenerative agriculture, and supporting reforestation efforts, these projects are set to transform cocoa farming practices and contribute to carbon emission reduction and removal within Nestlé’s supply chains.
The initiatives, spanning a five-year period, aim to integrate diverse species of shade trees into cocoa farms. According to the company, these trees provide critical benefits including sun protection, moisture conservation during dry seasons, improved water management, enhanced farm biodiversity, and significant carbon absorption. Farmers involved in the projects will receive training in tree planting and maintenance techniques.
In Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, these projects will engage close to 20,000 farmers, planting over two million shade trees. The expected outcome is a substantial reduction and removal of more than 500,000 metric tonnes of carbon over two decades.
“These projects are important milestones on our journey to net zero,” said Darrell High, Nestlé’s global cocoa manager. “We’re working to address our emissions all the way to the farms we source from.
“Long-lasting forest protection can only happen when collaborating with fully committed suppliers, just like Cargill and ETG | Beyond Beans. We also depend on the participation of local communities, who have an impact on the forests and can help find land-use solutions that are best suited for the local reality.”
Nestlé: Collaboration with local communities is key for cocoa farming
Nestlé aims to collaborate with local communities, consulting them on aspects of cocoa farming. This includes selecting communal lands for reforestation and establishing nurseries for tree seedlings, for later transplantation on-farm.
Participating farmers, already members of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, can volunteer for the project and receive incentives to ensure the trees’ survival through their crucial initial years. Ongoing technical support is provided by regular farm visits.
“We are proud to partner with Nestlé on this ground-breaking carbon reduction project that transitions away from business as usual,” said Remi van Balen, program manager of agroforestry and environment at ETG | Beyond Beans. “Our project design has a holistic landscape approach which goes beyond cocoa plots and involves the whole community in reforestation initiatives.
“These initiatives not only create job opportunities but are also connecting, restoring and protecting valuable community forests.”
A comprehensive monitoring and verification framework will ensure the projects’ long-term success by tracking tree survival and carbon sequestration. Satellite imaging will be employed for high-resolution monitoring of the planted areas, guaranteeing the trees’ continued growth.
“This initiative can really make a difference,” said Ursule Gatta, Cargill partnership officer of Ivory Coast. “Our ambition is to scale up the project to cover 18 cooperatives over five years, aligned with the Nestlé Income Accelerator program. We are very proud to be a part of this.”
With forests capable of absorbing about one-third of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels annually, Nestlé’s broader goal includes planting 200 million trees by 2030 across its sourcing regions.
This effort, alongside a committed reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2025 and 50% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline, is a significant part of Nestlé’s net-zero target by 2050. In 2023, Nestlé reported a 13.58% net reduction in emissions, showcasing progress in its climate action journey.
