Net zero ambitions: Nestle launches China’s first carbon-neutral toddler formula

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Nestle's Organic NAN 3 is said to be its first carbon-neutral toddler formula launched in China. ©Nestle China

Nestle has launched China’s first carbon-neutral product, a stage three formula for toddlers said to be sourced from Switzerland-based farms that do not use herbicides and growth hormones.

Known as Organic NAN 3, the tin lid and scoop of the product is also said to be made using plant-based materials.

Each tin, which comes in 800g, is said to offset 14.2kg of carbon emission.

In March, the product received a carbon-neutral certification from South Pole – an organisation that develops and implement carbon emission reduction projects and strategies for companies, governments, and organisations.

Ingredients wise, the product contains the probiotics Bifidobacterium BB-12, DHA, ARA, vitamins and minerals.

The product for toddlers age 12 to 36 months was recently launched online in China. 

Carbon neutrality refers to having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks – natural habitats that absorbs more carbon than it emits. They include soil, forests, and oceans.

No artificial carbon sinks are able to remove carbon from the atmosphere on the necessary scale to fight global warming, according to the European Parliament.

Nestle said it was working towards carbon neutrality by funding natural climate solutions and activities outside of its value chain.

These activities include tree planting, forest protection, and social programs for rural communities in some cases.

This is part of the company’s global goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 20 per cent by year 2025.

“Organic NAN 3 has received the support of Switzerland’s agricultural department and this goes to show the quality and professionalism of Switzerland when it comes to implementing sustainable growth policies.

“At the same time, we hope that with the launch of Organic NAN 3, we could bring about more opportunities for both Switzerland and China to cooperate in the area of sustainable growth,” said Yves Reymond, head of economic, financial, and commercial section at the Embassy of Switzerland in PRC during the product launch. 

Prior to this, the firm has achieved the carbon neutrality status its infant formula brand Little Steps in Germany and plant-based drink Wunda in the UK last year.

Other brands slated to achieve carbon neutrality include its probiotic line Garden of Life.

“Nestle China follows Nestle Group’s plan for the launch of global carbon neutral brands. Our following brands are in the pipeline of achieving carbon neutrality at global level by end of 2022: Nespresso, Perrier, San Pellegrino, Aqua Panna, Vittel, Garden of Life and Garden Gourmet,” the firm told us.

Aside from carbon neutrality, the firm has also spelled out seven key actions for achieving net-zero greenhouse gases emissions by 2050.

They include sourcing ingredients sustainably, creating or reformulating products, investing in sustainable packaging, using renewable energy to manufacture products, and driving towards cleaner logistics.