Nestle & Soil Capital: Reducing CO₂ with Regenerative Soil

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), "The combined effects of land degradation and drought costs the global economy US$878bn every year, eroding food and water security, disrupting energy production and supply chains and fuelling instability, forced displacements and conflict around the world."

As pressure mounts on global food systems to decarbonise and build resilience, regenerative agriculture is moving from pilot projects to scaled implementation. 

A new four-year partnership between Nestlé and Soil Capital signals a significant step in embedding sustainable practices into mainstream European sourcing. 

By aligning environmental outcomes with financial incentives, the collaboration aims to support farmers through transition while strengthening supply chains. 

Supporting farmers through the transition

At the heart of the partnership is a commitment to equip farmers with the tools and incentives needed to adopt regenerative practices at scale.

According to WEF, one-third of global soil is already degraded, with more than 100 million hectares lost each year, an area the size of France and Spain combined.

Across France, Belgium and the UK, nearly 230 farmers managing more than 13,000 hectares will receive tailored agronomic advice alongside access to digital platforms that measure environmental performance. 

These tools aim to enable the tracking of soil health, emissions and carbon sequestration, helping farmers make informed decisions while demonstrating measurable progress.

“We want to back farmers with the tools, science and market continuity to drive change, not by just asking them to take on risk,” says Anita Wälz, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé Europe.

“We’re investing in the long-term health of our supply base, strengthening resilience and focusing on soil.”

Crucially, the programme links financial incentives to verified outcomes. 

By rewarding improvements in soil function, reduced input use and enhanced biodiversity, the initiative aims to lowers the economic risks often associated with transitioning to regenerative systems. 

This results-based approach ensures that sustainability is not just encouraged, but economically viable for farmers operating within complex agricultural markets.

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Data, verification and supply chain transparency

A defining feature of the collaboration is its reliance on robust Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems.

Developed by Soil Capital, this framework combines satellite imagery with field-level data to generate reliable insights into environmental performance. 

These verified metrics can provide Nestlé with the transparency needed to track progress against its climate targets, particularly in reducing Scope 3 emissions across its value chain.

Beyond emissions reporting, the data-driven approach enhances sourcing transparency and risk management. 

“This is what systemic change looks like, farmers being paid for outcomes society urgently needs – healthier soils, fewer emissions and more resilient ecosystems," says Chuck de Liedekerke, CEO of Soil Capital.

"It’s progress you can measure, built on trust and delivered at scale.

By understanding how raw materials such as wheat, corn, barley and sugar beet are produced, companies can better anticipate supply disruptions, respond to environmental pressures and build more resilient procurement strategies. 

This integration of digital tools into agriculture marks a key evolution in how sustainability is measured and managed at scale.

Scaling regenerative agriculture across Europe

Building on earlier pilots in France and the UK, the expansion into Belgium demonstrates the growing scalability of regenerative agriculture within commercial supply chains. 

What began as targeted trials has evolved into a multi-country initiative that can balance consistency with flexibility, allowing farmers to adapt practices to local conditions while contributing to shared environmental goals.

As part of Nestlé’s broader regenerative agriculture strategy, the partnership reflects a long-term investment in both environmental and economic resilience. 

"Together with Soil Capital and Nestlé’s support, we are bringing more life to my soil," says Bernard Louet, a French farmer in Côte d'Or.