Sustainability

Tetra Pak refreshes nature framework, strengthening action on responsible sourcing and water resilience

2026-05-22 2:55 min Sustainability & Circular Economy

Tetra PakLausanne, Switzerland

Revised framework reflects two years of implementation learnings and sharpens focus on priority nature impacts - Tetra Pak has refreshed its award-winning¹ Approach to Nature, strengthening action on responsible sourcing and water resilience to sharpen its focus on the areas where it can maximise positive contributions while addressing its most significant nature-related impacts, following two years of implementation across its value chain.

First launched in 2024, the Tetra Pak Approach to Nature sets out more than twenty targets guiding action across the value chain to halt and reverse nature loss, restore ecosystems, and enhance global water security, in alignment with international biodiversity goals.

Reflecting insights gained over its rollout, the company has now made focussed updates to the framework to prioritise areas where it can deliver the greatest results. This has shaped a more targeted approach, directing resources towards high impact materials, locations and supplier sites, with clearer expectations for traceability, verification and measurable outcomes. The Approach to Nature will continue to be structured around four key, value chain-wide action areas – Upstream, Operations, Downstream and Transform – with a strengthened emphasis on upstream activities, where the company’s most significant nature impacts and dependencies occur. This includes targeted revisions to selected goals, such as using geographic information systems to verify the deforestation-free status of high-priority sourcing locations and reducing total water withdrawal by 10% by 2030 at suppliers with the highest water-related impacts.

Commenting on the update, Francesca Priora, Vice President Climate & Nature at Tetra Pak, said: “Two years of implementation have given us much clearer insight. The refresh of our Approach to Nature reflects a shift towards sharper execution, focusing action where it can deliver the greatest impact across the value chain.

Our industry relies heavily on nature to shape sustainable and secure food systems for the future. As we move towards our next milestones, collaboration remains critical. By working closely with suppliers, customers and partners, we aim to protect key ecosystems and help strengthen the resilience of food systems”.

The framework also covers efforts to support the transition to a circular economy through improved product design and performance, more efficient equipment, and an optimised approach to collection, recycling and waste management.

Alexander Nick, Senior Director Climate and Nature at WBCSD said: “Tetra Pak’s updated Approach to Nature reflects an effort to translate ambition into clearer priorities and action across its value chain. By recognizing interdependencies across sustainability areas and taking stock of implementation experience, the company is strengthening the focus of its approach over time. WBCSD welcomes this willingness to review and adapt: sharpening focus, learning from practice, and aligning corporate action with the shared global ambition to halt and reverse nature loss.”

The sharper focus of the updated Approach to Nature builds on implementation insights and concrete progress delivered since its launch in 2024, including:

Collaborating closely with suppliers, engaging its entire supplier base in nature‑related impact assessments and establishing relevant procurement requirements.
Strengthening responsible sourcing practices, sourcing 100% of the paper-based materials² used in its products from FSCTM-certified³ and other controlled sources, and 100% of plant-based polymers as Bonsucro-certified⁴.
Advancing action on water resilience, ensuring high-impact suppliers report on water quality and quantity, while introducing target requirements to reduce water withdrawal intensity at those supplier sites⁵.
Delivering ahead of schedule on air pollution reduction, demonstrating how greater focus and prioritisation can accelerate impact, meeting its 2030 target to reduce volatile organic compound emissions across its production sites by 50% against a 2019 baseline.

_______________

¹Tetra Pak wins Environmental Initiatives Award at SEAL Business Sustainability Awards 2025 https://www.tetrapak.com/en-gb/about-tetra-pak/news-and-events/newsarchive/tetra-pak-wins-environmental-initiatives-award-at-seal-business-sustainability-awards-2025

²This refers to paper-based materials and paper used in Tetra Pak food packaging materials and applications.

³Tetra Pak’s FSC license code is FSC™ C014047. Please read more at www.fsc.org.

⁴Please read more at www.bonsucro.com.

⁵High water-impact supplier sites are defined as sites supplying paper-based materials, aluminium foil, or polymers used for Tetra Pak packaging that meet either of the following criteria: a) The site is located in a high water-stressed area and accounts for more than 5% of the category’s volume (in tonnes); OR b) The site is located in a low water-stressed area and accounts for more than 10% of the category’s volume (in tonnes).

_______________

www.tetrapak.com

PETnology's Resource Guide

comPETence center

The comPETence center provides your organisation with a dynamic, cost effective way to promote your products and services.

Find out more