Nestlé’s priority has always been long-term development, not short-term gains. In early October, Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe discussed his concern about the accelerating deterioration of the environment, our natural resources, and the consequences of that deterioration on global development. According to the WWF and Global Footprint Network, 25% of the world population faces water scarcity, and household water needs are predicted to rise by 61% by 2050. If present trends continue, the livelihoods of one-third of the world population will be affected by water stress in 2025. In his presentation Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe talks about how sustainability is our responsibility to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development does imply limits in technology and resources, but it is an important process of change -- where decisions are made that are consistent with the future, as well as with present needs. I think we all share Mr. Brabeck’s belief that, in order to create value for our shareholders, we need to create value for the farmers that supply us, our employees, our consumers and in the communities we operate. An important step in creating shared economic and social value is demonstrating responsible behavior that is mindful of the future. Download Mr. Brabeck’s presentation here: Why CEOS should be worried about the environment - Sept 2009

Most water bottles made by Nestlé Waters rely on PET plastic, a lightweight material that requires less energy to transport than glass and also has a smaller carbon footprint. What’s more – PET plastic is 100% recyclable and can enjoy a ‘second life’ after its use. We hope this in-depth video into the life cycle of a water bottle will encourage you to take the extra step and make sure your bottles are recycled.

The ice cream street selling business gives people the opportunity to develop their own business and helps small and medium scale entrepreneurs to become micro-distributors. While Nestlé invests in freezers, vending carts and motorbikes, the micro-distributors provide capital for buying the products which the NESTLÉ Ice Cream vendors sell.

In this video three Brazilian farmers talk about how genetically modified crops and biotechnology have helped change their lives. For starters, they say biotechnology has increased the biodiversity of the environment and increased their yield and productivity.  As they point out, getting the most out of fixed resources is an important part of conservation. Perhaps most importantly, farmers say biotechnology saves them many hours of work – time which they now spend with their families.

Each year tens of thousands of gallons of rainwater runs off your roof, not only does that water then spread waste from cities and towns into rivers and streams, it can also be diverted, collected, and put to good use. For people interested in the intersection between sustainability and agriculture, the Rain Reserve easily diverts water through gutters and a purification system into a barrel.  The fresh, clean rainwater is a great reminder of how small changes can make a big difference when it comes to scare and shared resources like a community water supply.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is bringing a comprehensive wellness program to John Trix elementary in Detroit. Like Nestlé’s Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives, the Healthy Schools program empowers kids with physical activity, healthy lunches, and nutrition and wellness education.