Chocolate is one of the most loved treats around the world, but its production has significant environmental consequences.

Cocoa plantations contribute to deforestation in many countries such as Indonesia and Brazil¹. This not only threatens the habitats of several endangered species like jaguars and orangutans² but also contributes to climate change³. Chocolate companies like Cadbury⁴, Nestle⁵, Hershey's⁶, Mars⁷, and Ferrero profit from deforestation, with consumers unaware of the environmental destruction. Sustainable chocolate producers and conservation groups are working to combat deforestation and promote responsible sourcing practices⁸.

Chocolate companies rely heavily on the cocoa supply chain, which is linked to deforestation in critical wildlife habitats worldwide.

• Cadbury has been accused of sourcing cocoa beans from suppliers that contribute to deforestation in Indonesia⁹.
• Nestle has been linked to deforestation in the Ivory Coast and the Amazon¹⁰.
• Hershey's has also been accused of sourcing cocoa beans from areas that contribute to deforestation in West Africa¹¹.
• Mars, on the other hand, has been accused of contributing to deforestation in Indonesia through its sourcing of palm oil, which is a key ingredient in chocolate production¹².

Deforestation for cocoa production destroys critical wildlife habitats and biodiversity in countries like Indonesia, Brazil, and West Africa¹³. The expansion of cocoa farming is often linked to the use of harmful chemicals that can contaminate water sources and harm local communities¹⁴.

However, several initiatives are underway to promote more sustainable and responsible sourcing practices in the chocolate industry. Conservation groups are working with producers to develop alternative supply chains that prioritize environmental protection¹⁵ and human rights¹⁶. Some chocolate companies like Divine Chocolate, Tony's Chocolonely, Q'uma and others¹⁷ source their cocoa beans from farms that use sustainable practices such as agroforestry. Agroforestry involves growing cocoa beans alongside other trees, which promotes biodiversity and prevents deforestation¹⁸.

By choosing sustainable chocolate brands, consumers can support responsible practices in the cocoa industry and help to protect critical wildlife habitat and human rights.

Sustainable farming practices reduce the use of harmful chemicals and promote soil health, which benefits both the environment and the health of farmers and their families¹⁹. These companies invest in community development projects and pay fair prices for their cocoa beans, helping to support local economies and protect the rights of workers²⁰.

Consumers can also make a significant impact on the environment and human rights by choosing to support sustainable chocolate practices. By signing our pledge to support sustainable chocolate, you can help ensure that your next chocolate craving doesn't come at the cost of critical wildlife habitat and the health of our planet.

The sustainable chocolate market is growing, and your support can inspire other companies to make positive changes in their supply chains²¹.

Save our planet and vulnerable wildlife. Take the pledge to support sustainable chocolate!

More on this issue:

1. Lehigh University, Science Daily (17 October 2017), "Chocolate production linked to increased deforestation in poor nations."
2. World Wildlife Fund (2023), "Deforestation and Forest Degradation."
3. Annika Dean, The Climate Council (21 August 2019), "Deforestation and Climate Change."
4. Rupert Evelyn, iTV News (2023), "Cadbury chocolate and Anchor butter among UK dairy products linked to deforestation in Brazil."
5. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (15 December 2017), "Cocoa industry linked to illegal deforestation in Côte d'Ivoire & Ghana."
6. Ruth Maclean, The Guardian (13 Sep 2017), "'Once this was all trees, but they burned them to plant cocoa': the ruin of West Africa's rainforest."
7. Steven Mufson, The Washington Post, (29 October 2019), "The trouble with chocolate."
8. Ruth Maclean, The Guardian (13 Sep 2017), "Chocolate industry drives rainforest disaster in Ivory Coast."
9. Appleton Sweets (2023), "How Cadbury Chocolate is Made."
10. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (29 Jun 2012), "Assessment of Nestle Cocoa Supply Chain in Ivory Coast."
11. Isis Almeida, Baudelaire Mieu and Leanne de Bassompierre, Bloomberg (1 December 2020), "In a Global Chocolate War, It’s Hershey Against West Africa."
12. Nikita Amir, Popular Science (21 January 2022), "Climate change is coming for Indonesia’s cocoa farms; candy companies aren’t helping."
13. The Chocolate Journalist (10 May 2022), "Here Is Exactly How Cocoa Farming Is Causing Deforestation."
14. George Afrane and Augustine Ntiamoah, IntechOpen (2011), "Use of Pesticides in the Cocoa Industry and Their Impact on the Environment and the Food Chain."
15. Alan Kroeger, Haseebullah Bakhtary, Franziska Haupt, Charlotte Streck, Climate Focus North America Inc. (March 2017), "Eliminating Deforestation from the Cocoa Supply Chain."
16. Chris Casey, FoodDive (5 January 2023), "Cocoa can’t be sustainable without systemic changes for farmers, report says."
17. ctate, Green America (3 February 2022), "Put Down That Big-Name Chocolate - Grab These Fair Trade Chocolate Bars Instead!."
18. Kauê de Sousa, Maarten van Zonneveld, Milena Holmgren, Roeland Kindt, Jenny C. Ordoñez, Scientific Reports (20 June 2019), "The future of coffee and cocoa agroforestry in a warmer Mesoamerica."
19. Deborah Drew and Peter Boal, World Resources Institute (25 September 2019), "For Sustainability in Cocoa Production, Both Countries and Companies Need to Commit."
20. Rabobank (29 September 2022), "How a fair price for cocoa improves farmers’ lives."
21. Research and Markets (August 2020), "Global Chocolate Market - Forecasts from 2020 to 2025."