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Nestlé is making a big push for sustainability in Spain, teaming up with 500 local farmers and investing almost €12 million to grow food in ways that help the planet and cut emissions. The company wants to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and regenerative agriculture is front and centre in that strategy.

 

“At Nestlé, we believe that sustainable food is essential for the future of our planet, and we are determined to lead the way toward this model. To achieve this, regenerative agriculture is a fundamental pillar of our strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Jordi Llach, CEO of Nestlé Spain, speaking at an event last Thursday.

 

Nestlé sees farming as the key to fighting climate change, as agriculture and livestock are big sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2021, the company’s €12 million investment has supported hundreds of Spanish farmers and ranchers to use farming methods that look after local ecosystems, as part of a broader five-year spend of €112 million across all its sustainability projects in Spain.

 

Nestlé’s “Responsible Solís” programme kicked off more than ten years ago, and now every tomato in Solís sauces from their factory in Miajadas comes from fields using regenerative techniques: crop rotation, winter ground cover, and planting hedges to encourage wildlife. “These practices not only improve soil fertility but also contribute to preserving local biodiversity,” explained Llach.

 

The company also works with 26 farmers in Castile and León and Navarre to grow wheat, oats, and barley on more than 5,000 hectares, all for baby food at their Cantabria factory. With €1.5 million already invested and a target of €3 million by 2027, Nestlé has helped cut associated CO₂ emissions by 40% and now all cereals for their Spain-made baby food are grown using regenerative agriculture.

 

Nestlé has also been busy with dairy. Over 110 dairy farms in Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria have received more than €6 million and introduced solar panels, greener livestock feed, and better waste management, leading to a reduction of 43,600 tons of CO₂ emissions by the end of last year.

 

Together with the Global Nature Foundation and SEO BirdLife, Nestlé is helping farmers try new tech, such as satellite mapping for better soil and pest management and building wildlife habitats like ponds and hedges to support birds and pollinators. “Technology is not the only component of change, but it is playing a fundamental role because it is available and more affordable,” Llach added.

 

Nestlé isn’t stopping at the farm gate. The company is cutting emissions from deliveries by switching to electric trucks and renewable biofuel, saving 9,000 tons of CO₂ every year. Packaging has also received an eco-makeover: there’s less material, more recycling, and easier-to-recycle designs.

 

For those keen to eat greener, Nestlé has launched VeggiePlato, a digital guide for building a balanced, vegetarian plate with help from Spanish nutrition experts. “It's designed for anyone looking to improve their diet and has the scientific backing of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,” explained Laura González, Nestlé’s nutrition lead.

 

With these moves, Nestlé says it’s showing how big business can support local communities and create a more sustainable future for Spanish agriculture.

 

 

Image: Joseph Fulgham/Pixabay