Nestle Wins the Stockholm Industry Water Award
By Stockholm International Water Institute, PRNEMonday, June 6, 2011
STOCKHOLM, June 7, 2011 -
Nestle has been named the winner of the Stockholm Industry Water Award
for its leadership and performance to improve water management in its
internal operations and throughout its supply chain.
The Award Committee also recognised Nestle's work to improve the water
management of its suppliers, which includes over 25 million people who are
involved in its entire value chain. Nestle employs 1,000 agronomists and
water experts, who work directly with farmers to help them reduce their water
requirements, increase crop yields, and minimise pollution. In 2009-2010,
Nestle provided expert training and technical support for 300,000 farmers and
the company continues to collaborate with other food industry leaders to
establish best practice and guidelines for sustainable water use at a farm
level. Nestle also has a leading role in the 2030 Water Resources Group.
Award Committee Member and Director of Water Projects at the World
Business Council for Sustainable Development, Joppe Cramwinckel, said:
"Through its unwavering commitment, Nestle has established itself as a leader
in smart water management and is deserving of this prestigious award. It is
providing an example for other food producers and distributors to follow.
With agriculture accounting for nearly 70% of global water use, and food
demand expected to double by 2050, companies have an increasing
responsibility to improve food chain resource efficiency."
The honourary award will be presented to the chairman of Nestle SA, P.
Brabeck-Letmathe, at a ceremony on August 24 during the 2011 World Water Week
in Stockholm. When receiving the news, he said: "I am most grateful for this
recognition. We have identified water as the biggest challenge for future
food security, and beyond that, for economic growth. This is probably the
most prestigious award in this area for a company - and it will be a strong
encouragement for us to continue with our efforts."
Nestle is the largest food and nutrition company in the world, employing
around 280 000 people in over 100 countries. Over the past decade, Nestle has
reduced the total water withdrawals by over 30 percent, more than doubled the
water efficiency of their internal operations and made significant reductions
in the quantity of wastewater discharged into the environment.
About the Stockholm Industry Water Award
The Stockholm Industry Water Award recognises the business sector's
contribution to sustainable water management, by minimising water consumption
and environmental impact. It is given to any sector of business and industry.
The Award was established in 2000 by the Stockholm Water Foundation in
collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the
World Business Council for Sustainable Development. An independent award
committee, composed of leading professionals and academics of water sciences,
reviews all submissions and selects the winner following an open nomination
process. The award is administered by the Stockholm International Water
Institute. www.siwi.org/stockholmindustrywateraward.
PRESS INFORMATION:
For more information, translations etc. visit:
www.siwi.org/SIWA2011
Press contacts: Britt-Louise Andersson, SIWI +46-73-914-3972, britt-louise.andersson at siwi.org. Peter Paul van de Wijs, Managing Director, Communications, World Business, Council for Sustainable Development, +41-22-839-3141, vandewijs at wbcsd.org
Tags: June 7, Stockholm, Stockholm International Water Institute, sweden