Episode
154

The Leader Series – Building Partnerships and Driving Change with Nestle

June 25, 2025
|
Duration:
1711000
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In This Episode:

In this episode, hosts David, John and Lysandra have an insightful discussion with Catherine O’Brien, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Regulatory Government Relations, and Sustainability at Nestlé Canada. Catherine shares her unique career journey into sustainability and emphasizes the ingrained nature of sustainable practices at Nestlé. The conversation touches on partnerships like the Canada Plastics Pact and Circular Materials Canada, employee engagement, and the role of consumers and investors in driving sustainability. Catherine also talks about the challenges and strategies in maintaining long-term sustainability goals amidst changing political climates and the importance of communication and collaboration in achieving those goals. Tune in to learn how Nestlé Canada is committed to creating shared value for both their business and society.

Highlights

  • Nestlé Canada aligns its sustainability efforts with a global roadmap but adapts strategies locally to maximize impact.
  • Commitment to 100% renewable electricity for all facilities in Canada by the end of 2025 as part of net zero goals.
  • Shifting 95% of long-haul transportation from road to rail has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%.
  • Plastic waste reduction strategy focuses on using less plastic, designing for recyclability, and supporting recycling infrastructure.
  • Creating shared value is central to Nestlé’s approach, integrating business and societal goals around people, pets, communities, and the planet.
  • Transparency is maintained through annual sustainability reporting and public sharing of progress and challenges.
  • Sustainability challenges are complex, requiring collaboration, persistence, and acceptance that solutions are nuanced rather than simple.

Key Insights

  • Purpose as a Catalyst for Change: A strong, shared purpose drives sustainability by aligning people and values across the business, going beyond compliance to embed long-term commitment.
  • Complexity Over Simplicity: Sustainability solutions must account for interdependent challenges like carbon and packaging; simple fixes often overlook critical trade-offs.
  • Global Framework with Local Adaptation: Nestlé customizes its global sustainability roadmap to fit local realities, achieving greater impact through flexibility.
  • Innovative Carbon Reduction in Logistics: Switching long-haul freight to rail shows how smart logistics decisions can significantly cut emissions without hurting operations.
  • Early-Stage Engagement with Agricultural Emissions: Nestlé works with partners to address dairy-related emissions early, tackling one of its largest and hardest-to-reach sources.
  • Holistic Plastic Waste Strategy: The company reduces virgin plastic use, designs for recyclability, and supports recycling systems, shifting toward shared accountability.
  • Overcoming Organizational Challenges: Scale, cost, and data issues require leadership, alignment, and systems to make sustainability work in a large organization.
  • Consumer-Centric Product Innovation: Nestlé adapts its product lineup, including plant-based options, to meet evolving consumer demand while balancing sustainability goals.
  • Transparency and Accountability as Trust Builders: Public reporting and open dialogue build trust and support continuous progress in sustainability.
  • Collaboration as a Necessity: No company can solve sustainability alone—partnerships across sectors are key to driving system-wide change.
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