Addressing a question from Greenpeace at the company’s AGM in Lausanne on 15 April, Brabeck-Letmathe condemned the use of food for fuel and said Nestlé had recognised the danger many years ago when it called for a moratorium on the destruction of rainforest in Brazil.
He told shareholders that in 2009 the UK, Germany and Italy alone used 500,000 tonnes of palm oil for biodiesel, compared with the 320,000 tonnes of palm oil used by Nestlé throughout the world.
“We view deforestation as one of the most serious environmental issues facing us today on a global level,” said Brabeck-Letmathe.
He called on Greenpeace to constructively join Nestlé to help bring about a moratorium on the destruction of rainforests: “We’re the first people who would work with you in this struggle,” he said.
In an earlier letter to the coordinator of the International Forest Campaign at Greenpeace, Pat Venditti, Brabeck-Letmathe said Nestlé had consistently emphasised its concern with deforestation not only from palm oil but for any reason.
He reiterated to Venditti, Nestlé’s 2008 call for the creation of a wide-ranging coalition of stakeholders from industries that impact deforestation as well as representatives from government to make the moratorium a reality.
It’s estimated that the destruction of the world’s rainforests contributes to about 20% of greenhouse gases – more than the entire transport sector. Brabeck-Letmathe said the growing use of biofuels was a serious factor in this destruction, something the company has vigorously condemned.
stlé has called for organisations such as Greenpeace and relevant stakeholders to work together to find a solution on sourcing packaging from sustainable sources.
Source: Nestlé
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