Osem-Nestlé Israel Transitions to 100% Renewable Electricity

Osem-Nestlé Israel is set to achieve 100% renewable electricity for its production facilities, logistics centers, and headquarters by May 2026. This significant move, stemming from a multi-year agreement with a private solar power producer in the Negev, is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 30,000 tons annually. The company previously relied on coal-generated electricity and then transitioned to natural gas, but this shift marks a move to a fully renewable source.

This initiative aligns with global sustainability goals, including the Paris Agreement's aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Osem-Nestlé's parent company, Nestlé, has committed to a Net Zero roadmap, targeting a 20% reduction in emissions by 2025 and a 50% reduction by 2030, relative to a 2018 baseline. Globally, Nestlé has already achieved nearly 93.5% renewable electricity consumption across its sites and reported a reduction of approximately 24.5% in emissions, ahead of schedule.

Beyond electricity, Osem-Nestlé Israel has reduced packaging materials by over 800 tons in the last five years, with 99.5% of its packaging designed for recycling. Since 2020, its facilities have operated under a zero-waste-to-landfill policy. The company is also incorporating solar panels on its truck fleet and gradually introducing electric trucks, which currently constitute about 3% of its fleet. Additionally, production plants have switched from mazut heating to natural gas, significantly cutting air pollutant emissions.

Tali Gvirzer, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Osem-Nestlé Israel, emphasized that the company's sustainability efforts extend beyond its own operations to encompass the entire supply chain, including raw material cultivation, which accounts for over 60% of the food industry's greenhouse gas emissions. While acknowledging the consumer's awareness of corporate carbon footprints is still developing in Israel compared to Europe, Gvirzer noted a positive upward trend. Osem-Nestlé CEO Avi Ben Assayag stated that the company's commitment to sustainability is a long-term responsibility for future generations, integrated with its business growth.