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Nespresso & sustainability


Nespresso
First milestones, should be better Click here for score rapport: 5 out of 20

Sustainability summary

Nespresso has achieved the D-label. Brand owner Nestlé has started to take sustainability into account. Still, a lot more can be done.

Brand owner: Nestlé S.A.
Head office: Vevey, Switzerland
Sector: Coffee brands
Categories : Coffee
Free Tags: Nestlé, Rainforest Alliance

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Nespresso sustainability score report

Last edited: 27 January 2018 by Madelein
Last reviewed: 27 January 2018 by Hilary

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

2 out of 4
1. Does the brand (owner) have a policy to reduce climate emissions generated from its own operations as well as its product supply chain? Nespresso implements several measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of both its own operations and its supply chain, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of a Nespresso cup with 19.4% in 2016 compared to 2009 (see link, page 56 – 69). Source
2. Has the brand (owner) disclosed the annual absolute climate footprint of its 'own operations', and has it accomplished an overall absolute climate footprint reduction compared to the result of the previous reporting year? Nespresso publishes the climate footprint of its own operations for 2009 and 2016, and has reduced its absolute climate footprint from 123 kg of CO2 to 96 kg of CO2 between these years (see link question 1, page 81). Brand Owner Nestlé publishes its climate footprint reduction from scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2014 to 2015, which was 3,4% (see link, page 34) Source
3. Has the brand (owner) disclosed the annual absolute climate footprint of its supply chain that is 'beyond own operations', and has it accomplished an overall absolute climate footprint reduction compared to the result of the previous reporting year? Nespresso publishes the climate footprint of its own operations (8%) as a percentage of the total climate footprint of a Nespresso cup (see link question 1, page 60). Brand owner Nestlé publishes a climate footprint of scope 3 emissions (see link page 135-146) and reports that the absolute annual climate footprint of its supply chain beyond its own operations Source
4. Has the brand (owner) set a target to make at least its own operations fully climate neutral by 2030, and is the brand on track to achieve this target? Nespresso mentions it has a target to reduce its absolute climate footprint by having planted 5 million trees by 2020, however does not mention reaching climate neutrality (see link, page 66-67). Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

2 out of 8
1. Does the brand use organic or otherwise environmentally certified coffee for at least 5% of its volume? Nespresso purchases 41% of its coffee from Rainforest Alliance and/or Fairtrade but does not mention specifics, such that, in total, its coffee is between 12% and 41% environmentally certified (see link, page 41). Source
2. Does the brand use organic or otherwise environmentally certified coffee for at least 20% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
3. Does the brand use organic or otherwise environmentally certified coffee for at least 40% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
4. Does the brand use organic or otherwise environmentally certified coffee for at least 60% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
5. Does the brand use organic or otherwise environmentally certified coffee for at least 80% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
6. Does the brand (owner) use environmentally certified coffee and/ or tea for at least 95% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
7. Does the brand (owner) report what percentage of its consumer packaging materials (which includes capsules and cups) are renewable or made from recycled materials, and does the brand implement best practices or concrete policies which have reduced the environmental impact of their packaging materials? Approximately 56% of Nespresso capsules sold today are used to create value after consumption. Almost half of these are recycled directly. It is not specified what part of the consumer packaging materials are renewable or made from recycled materials (see link, page 52 -55). Source
8. Does the brand (owner) publish its absolute waste materials footprint and implement concrete policies to minimize waste, by reducing, re-using and recycling, thereby decreasing its waste footprint compared to the previous reporting year? Nespresso gives information about its waste broken out by percentages. In 2016, for waste from factories, 96% went to recycling channels while 4% was incinerated, resulting in energy recovery. In 2014, the goal for zero waste to landfill on production sites was reached (see link, page 62 – 66). Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

1 out of 8
1. Does the brand (company) have a clear and effective policy to improve the farmers income that goes beyond certification, and is the premium for smallholder farmers at least 10%, and are there similar provisions for plantation workers? Nespresso shows financial commitment such as in technical assistance and innovation for farmers. However, clear numbers about income are not yet reported (see link, page 26-36). Source
2. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 5% coffee from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the coffee? Nespresso purchases 41% of its coffee from Rainforest Alliance and/or Fairtrade but does not mention specifics such that, in total, the coffee is between 12% and 41% socially certified (see link, page 40-41). Source
3. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 20% coffee from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the coffee? See remark for labor conditions policy question 2. Source
4. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 40% coffee from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the coffee? See remark for labor conditions policy question 2. Source
5. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 60% coffee from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the coffee? See remark for labor conditions policy question 2. Source
6. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 80% coffee from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the coffee? See remark for labor conditions policy question 2. Source
7. Does the brand (owner) purchase at least 95% coffee and/or tea from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the coffee and/or tea? See remark for labor conditions policy question 2. Source
8. Does the brand (company) maintain a published list of coffee suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume of coffee? Although Nespresso states that 74% of coffee delivery has full traceability, it does not provide a significant list of direct suppliers (see link, page 40-41). Source