Nestlé has launched a new initiative to plant two and a half million native bamboo clumps and a million trees over the next three years in the Philippines.
This reforestation effort supports Nestlé’s goal to plant 200 million trees by 2030 and is part of the company’s plan to scale up actions in regenerative agriculture and deploy nature-based solutions to absorb greenhouse gases and contribute to achieving Nestlé’s net-zero target by 2050.
Nestlé is conducting the initiative with One Tree Planted, a non-profit environmental organization focusing on global reforestation, and EcoPlanet Bamboo Group who champions the industrialization of bamboo as a sustainable fiber source. Nestlé has kicked off its global reforestation program across the Americas supported in part by its ongoing partnership with One Tree Planted, before expanding it to several countries.
For this project, Nestlé is targeting the island of Mindanao from where it sources coffee beans. Planting bamboo native to the Philippines in this sourcing region (known as ‘insetting’) aims to absorb greenhouse gas emissions, conserve local biodiversity, improve water quality and restore degraded soils.
Nestlé’s reforestation initiative is a pillar of the company’s Forest Positive strategy, which looks beyond stopping deforestation, to protecting and restoring forests over the long term. It aims to make a positive impact on the critical agricultural areas where Nestlé sources its ingredients. In addition, it contributes to advancing regenerative and equitable farming systems that help conserve and restore the world’s forests and natural ecosystems, while promoting sustainable livelihoods and respecting human rights. This supports the company’s efforts to accelerate the transition to a regenerative food system.
“We recognize that there is much more to do, and this new reforestation initiative will strengthen Nestlé Philippines in pursuing our programs tackling urgent environmental issues. We will continue our trailblazing involvement in the private sector as a Kasambuhay, a trusted companion for the environment, as a force for good,” said Nestlé Philippines chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.
