Nestle scoops 2011 Stockholm Industry Water Award

The award, which was established in 2000 by the Stockholm Water Foundation, recognises the business sector’s contribution to sustainable water management, by minimising water consumption and environmental impact.

An independent award committee of leading professionals and academics of water sciences, review all submissions and select the winner following an open nomination process.

Nestle was selected as a result of the water management of its suppliers, which includes more than 25M people in its entire operational chain.

Award committee member and director of Water Projects at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Joppe Cramwinckel, said: “Through its unwavering commitment, Nestle has established itself as a leader in smart water management and is deserving of this prestigious award.

“It is providing an example for other food producers and distributors to follow. With agriculture accounting for nearly 70% of global water use, and food demand expected to double by 2050, companies have an increasing responsibility to improve food chain resource efficiency.”

Nestle’s chairman, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, spoke at a ceremony yesterday (24 August) as part of the World Water Week in Stockholm.

Commenting on Nestle’s win, he said: “I am most grateful for this recognition. We have identified water as the biggest challenge for future food security, and beyond that, for economic growth. This is probably the most prestigious award in this area for a company – and it will be a strong encouragement for us to continue with our efforts.”

Nestle is one of the largest food companies in the world, employing around 280 000 people in over 100 countries. Over the past decade, Nestle has reduced the total water withdrawals by over 30%, more than doubled the water efficiency of their internal operations and made significant reductions in the quantity of wastewater discharged into the environment.

Carys Matthews