World Environment Day: Nestlé Plants 200 Trees In Douala IV High Schools

By Andrew Nsoseka

Nestlé Cameroun, on June 2, 2021, planted 200 trees in six high schools in Douala IV Council area, as part of its activities aimed at contributing to environmental preservation. The commitment to preserve the natural environment and reduce the emission of greenhouse gas is one of Nestlé’s long-term commitments towards a greener and safer environment.

In prelude to the commemoration of the World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5 each year, Nestle’s tree-planting exercise in Douala IV was done in partnership with the Littoral Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development.

In Douala IV municipality, a total of 200 trees were planted at the following schools: Lycée Bilingue de Bonabéri; Lycée Bilingue de Bonassama; Lycée Technique de Bonabéri; Lycée Bilingue de Mabanda; Lycée Bilingue de Sodiko; and at Collège Privé la Roseraie. The targeted schools were all selected by the regional delegation of the Ministry of Secondary Education, Littoral Region.

It can be recalled that, on September 12, 2019, Nestlé took a commitment to reach a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In line with reaching its set goals, Nestlé outlined and communicated a clear roadmap with concrete actions planned to be executed on schedule. One of the key actions of this roadmap is the engagement to plant 20 million trees each year around the world. This inspired Nestlé to plant 200 trees in Douala IV municipality.

In a statement relating to the tree-planting exercise in Douala IV High Schools, Robert Helou, Managing Director of Nestlé Cameroun, said: “By planting 200 trees today in Douala IV where Nestlé’s factory is located, the company has chosen a natural solution to help restore ecosystems and therefore contribute to preserve the environment. Moreover, this action is done in schools to improve the living environment of students and their quality of life.”

Nestlé also issued a statement after the tree-planting exercise, stating: “In line with the purpose of Nestlé, which is based on the conviction that Good Food can enhance the quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come, Nestlé Cameroon is a force for good and a key actor in promoting sustainable development by preserving the environment.”

Rostand Banzeu, Nestlé Cameroun’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, who represented the Company’s Managing Director, said the exercise was in line with the global engagement of Nestlé – to reduce the effects of greenhouse gases by 2050.

On the company’s drive for a safer environment, he said, “We don’t have a place where we dump dirt, everything is recycled and reused. Secondly, we have a strong resolution of collecting plastic waste and we have a partner with whom we work, Name Recycling”. He said the objective is to “considerably reduce the manner in which we use carbon in general in order to bring our modest contribution in the protection of the environment”.

At the end of the exercise, the Littoral Regional Delegate in the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Edouard Yougouda, remarked that the ceremony was essential for the environment. “Planting a tree is the beginning of life and life develops through trees. Initiating such an action for us in the environment is posing a strong action from lovers and advocates of nature,” he said.

The tree-planting exercise was done in collaboration with various school officials, personnel from the Littoral Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, and Nestlé Cameroun staff and volunteers, who participated in the tree-planting exercise at the selected schools. The Divisional Officer of Douala IV was represented by Eric Bodo.