Nestlé and Kellogg acknowledge risks of carbon pollution from power plants

The coalition will acknowledge the risks of carbon pollution from power plants, the economic benefits associated with energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment.

Food sectors most affected by climate change

BICEP will also work with policy makers to pass meaningful energy and climate legislation, calling for a broad, bipartisan consensus to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, with a goal of at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020.

Paul Bakus, president, Nestlé US Corporate Affairs, told FoodProductionDaily, based on evidence, the food and agriculture sectors will be among those most affected by climate change.

“BICEP’s principles are closely aligned with Nestlé’s interest in promoting energy efficiency, further development of renewable energy sources, as well as supporting climate change adaptation​,” he said. 

“We have put our full support behind important initiatives, such as BICEP, because meaningful progress on addressing the global challenge of climate change can only be achieved through comprehensive, multi-stakeholder efforts​.”

Launched in 2008 with a core group of five companies, including Starbucks, Nike and Timberland, BICEP  has expanded to 32 businesses from a range of sectors, such as eBay, Symantec and Jones Lang LaSalle.

The coalition is urging the US to double its historic rate of energy efficiency improvement and wants 20% of the nation's electricity to be generated by renewable energy sources by 2020, and 30% by 2030.

Incentivize public and private investment

To make this happen, BICEP said the federal government should encourage and incentivize public and private investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology.

Diane Holdorf, chief sustainability officer, Kellogg Company, said Kellogg and the private sector generally as well as in private-public partnership, play a critical role in driving climate change action.

The company recently renwed its environment and social commitments which includes responsibly sourcing 100% of its top 10 ingredients by 2020; continuing to reduce its energy use, water intensity, waste to landfill and packaging materials; and providing support to growers (especially women and smallholders) to adapt to climate change, optimize their inputs and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“By joining BICEP, we reinforce our recently announced new and expanded sustainability commitments to conserve natural resources and support grower livelihoods​,” said Holdorf.

“We recognize that solutions to complex challenges, like climate change, require multi-stakeholder collaboration. We value continued engagement and discussion with external stakeholders, such as BICEP, on this important issue​.

To promote an efficient energy market, BICEP said Congress should adjust energy subsidies to discourage higher polluting energy sources and provide incentives for cleaner ones.

It should also enact standards, incentives and other policies to promote efficient and alternative fuel vehicles, low-carbon fuels, reductions in vehicle miles travelled and transit-oriented development.

BICEP is also calling on the US to support developing countries in designing and implementing low carbon growth strategies by encouraging technology transfers and forest protection.