Nespresso Sets Goal to be Carbon Neutral by 2020

Nespresso has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2020, and said it will invest more than $546 million to roll out new sustainability initiatives under its Positive Cup program.

The program includes commitments for sustainably sourced coffee, sustainably managed aluminum and carbon footprint reductions. By 2020, Nestlé’s coffee brand has committed to 100 percent sustainably sourced coffee, pledging to:

• Source 100 percent of its permanent range of Grand Cru coffees sustainably through the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program by significantly expanding the AAA Program in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan, and investing more than over $16.2 million in these countries over six years.
• Assist farmers achieve high certification standards (in water management, biodiversity and fair treatment of workers, for example) through the Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade USA.
• Pursue innovative solutions to farmer welfare, including the expansion of the AAA Farmer Future Program initially through a retirement fund for farmers in Colombia.

The company also pledged it will use 100 percent sustainably managed aluminum by expanding the capacity to collect used aluminum capsules to 100 percent wherever the company does business and increase recycling rates.