Nestlé Pakistan Wins Two Sustainability Awards at 29th Sustainable Development Conference

Nestlé Pakistan has secured two sustainability awards at the 29th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) and Sustainability Investment Expo (SIE), earning recognition for its work in circular economy and resource efficiency, as well as its pavilion presentation.

The awards highlight the company’s efforts to promote sustainable practices across its value chain, including regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, water conservation and improved waste management.

Nestlé Pakistan also co-hosted a high-level plenary session titled “Transforming Pakistan’s Agriculture and Food Systems in an Age of Disruption: AI for Regenerative and Climate-Smart Agriculture”. The discussion brought together representatives from the private sector, international organisations and academia to explore how technology and partnerships can strengthen Pakistan’s food systems.

Regenerative Agriculture at the Centre of Climate Action

Opening the discussion, Faisal Nadeem, Head of Technical at Nestlé Pakistan, highlighted growing pressure on cultivable land and the deterioration of soil health. He stressed the need to expand regenerative farming practices to restore soil quality, improve water efficiency and help farmers adapt to climate-related challenges.

Nadeem said the company was working with farmers and partners to scale practices that support healthier soil and strengthen agricultural resilience.

Anita Hirsch, Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Pakistan, emphasised the importance of protecting food supplies as climate change and economic disruptions intensify.

SBP Network Upgrade State Bank Deploys Cisco-Powered Banking Infrastructure in Pakistan

She said stronger local partnerships, artificial intelligence and improved supply-chain solutions could help ensure food reaches vulnerable communities while supporting more predictable income opportunities.

Nestlé Targets Regenerative Sourcing by 2030

Sharing the company’s international experience, Katarzyna Grzybowska, Sustainability Delivery Manager at Nestlé S.A. Global, outlined its commitment to sourcing 50% of key ingredients from farmers adopting regenerative agriculture practices by 2030.

She said Nestlé was already approximately halfway towards this target, while stressing that regenerative solutions must reflect local conditions and farmers’ economic realities.

Grzybowska added that expanding regenerative agriculture would require cooperation across the food system, shared investment and a long-term approach to managing risks throughout the value chain.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), said Pakistan’s agricultural and food systems faced increasing exposure to climate and economic disruptions. He highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence, smart agriculture and stronger public-private partnerships in accelerating the transition.

Partnerships Aim to Turn Sustainability Goals into Action

Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Pakistan and Afghanistan, said building resilient food systems required practical action and collaboration with farmers and other partners.

He emphasised the importance of advancing regenerative agriculture throughout the value chain rather than relying solely on sustainability commitments.

Dr Zaigham Shahzad, Associate Professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), highlighted the role of education, research and innovation in strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural sector.

He also referred to a recently launched certification programme with Nestlé, describing it as a step towards accelerating the transition to more sustainable farming practices and supporting the long-term future of agriculture.

Solar Power, Water Conservation and Waste Management Initiatives

Nestlé Pakistan said its sustainability programme covers a range of agricultural and environmental initiatives across its value chain.

The company is currently scaling regenerative agriculture practices across 125 farms. These efforts include support from 135 solar systems and 25 biogas plants to improve energy efficiency and promote more sustainable farming operations.

Its water conservation measures include drip irrigation across 299 acres and the installation of smart soil moisture sensors across 722 acres. These technologies are intended to support more efficient water use and improve resource management.

The company also highlighted its Clean Gilgit-Baltistan Project, which has facilitated the management of more than 11,000 tonnes of plastic and paper packaging waste.

Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Nestlé Pakistan said its sustainability initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 on Climate Action, SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production.

The two awards at the 29th Sustainable Development Conference recognise the company’s work on resource efficiency and circularity. The accompanying discussions also highlighted the importance of technology, farmer engagement and public-private collaboration in making Pakistan’s agricultural and food systems more resilient.