Nestlé recognised for water management

Nestlé has won the Stockholm Industry Water Award for sustainable water management in its internal operations and throughout its supply chain.


The Stockholm Industry Water Award recognises the business sector’s contribution to sustainable water management, by minimising water consumption and environmental impact.

The Award was established in 2000 by the Stockholm Water Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Nestlé has over 25 million people involved in its value chain and employs 1,000 agronomists and water experts, who work directly with farmers to help them reduce their water requirements, increase crop yields, and minimise pollution.

In 2009-2010, Nestlé provided expert training and technical support for 300,000 farmers and collaborates with other food industry leaders to establish best practice and guidelines for sustainable water use at a farm level.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s director of Water Projects, Joppe Cramwinckel, said: “Nestlé has established itself as a leader in smart water management. 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.”

Nestlé has reduced its total water consumption from more than five litres of water per USD of sales to less than 1.4 litres in the last 10 years.

The company has more than doubled the water efficiency of its internal operations and made significant reductions in the quantity of wastewater discharged into the environment.

Alison Brown

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