347
ongoing training through webinars (conference calls with desktop-sharing) and a
review of the studies performed ensure that EcodEX users will perform high quality
assessments over time.
Another challenge that had to be addressed is the reliability of a simplifi ed ecodesign tool and level of confi dence on its outcomes. To verify this, Nestlé decided
to evaluate the outcomes of EcodEX against stand-alone LCA case studies.
3 Conclusion
Nestlé’s objective was to deploy an ecodesign approach for the development of new
products. So far it is a success considering the numerous studies that have been
performed and the way the tool has infl uenced designers’ decisions accounting for
environmental criteria. A technical solution alone, i.e. a tool, is, however, not suffi -
cient to guarantee the success of such a sustainability project. Nestlé’s eco-design
initiative requires a transversal approach involving diverse teams. Life cycle management ensuring collaboration between different departments within the company
and with stakeholders outside the organization is key to implement and sustain such
an initiative. Sustainability will certainly be a key differentiator in the coming years,
and it is very likely that today’s active and engaged companies will have the best
tools to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Continuous improvement of Nestlé’s environmental performance is challenging
and requires a holistic, interdisciplinary, and collaborative approach. A tool like
EcodEX combined with appropriate internal business processes provides a very
strong base to achieve this.
References
European Commission (2013) RECOMMENDATION (2013/179/EU) on the use of common
methods to measure and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products
and organisations. Annex II (Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Guide))
Food SCP RT (2013) ENVIFOOD protocol, environmental assessment of food and drink protocol.
European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production Round Table (SCP RT), Working
group 1, Brussels
Humbert S, Loerincik Y, Rossi V, Margni M, Jolliet O (2009) Life cycle assessment of spray dried
soluble coffee and comparison with alternatives (drip fi lter and capsule espresso). J Clean Prod
17(15):1351–1358, Environmental Impacts of Food Production and Consumption, A research
report completed for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Manchester
Business School
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
Noncommercial License, which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
25 Life Cycle Management as a Way to Operationalize the Creating Shared Value…
ongoing training through webinars (conference calls with desktop-sharing) and a
review of the studies performed ensure that EcodEX users will perform high quality
assessments over time.
Another challenge that had to be addressed is the reliability of a simplifi ed ecodesign tool and level of confi dence on its outcomes. To verify this, Nestlé decided
to evaluate the outcomes of EcodEX against stand-alone LCA case studies.
3 Conclusion
Nestlé’s objective was to deploy an ecodesign approach for the development of new
products. So far it is a success considering the numerous studies that have been
performed and the way the tool has infl uenced designers’ decisions accounting for
environmental criteria. A technical solution alone, i.e. a tool, is, however, not suffi -
cient to guarantee the success of such a sustainability project. Nestlé’s eco-design
initiative requires a transversal approach involving diverse teams. Life cycle management ensuring collaboration between different departments within the company
and with stakeholders outside the organization is key to implement and sustain such
an initiative. Sustainability will certainly be a key differentiator in the coming years,
and it is very likely that today’s active and engaged companies will have the best
tools to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Continuous improvement of Nestlé’s environmental performance is challenging
and requires a holistic, interdisciplinary, and collaborative approach. A tool like
EcodEX combined with appropriate internal business processes provides a very
strong base to achieve this.
References
European Commission (2013) RECOMMENDATION (2013/179/EU) on the use of common
methods to measure and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products
and organisations. Annex II (Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Guide))
Food SCP RT (2013) ENVIFOOD protocol, environmental assessment of food and drink protocol.
European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production Round Table (SCP RT), Working
group 1, Brussels
Humbert S, Loerincik Y, Rossi V, Margni M, Jolliet O (2009) Life cycle assessment of spray dried
soluble coffee and comparison with alternatives (drip fi lter and capsule espresso). J Clean Prod
17(15):1351–1358, Environmental Impacts of Food Production and Consumption, A research
report completed for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Manchester
Business School
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
Noncommercial License, which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
25 Life Cycle Management as a Way to Operationalize the Creating Shared Value…