The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

At chocolate time, we've discovered what the brands that score best on child labour and the environment and have in common

  • Written by John Dumay, Professor - Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University
At chocolate time, we've discovered what the brands that score best on child labour and the environment and have in common

What distinguishes a company that makes “good” chocolate (chocolate untainted by child labour, modern slavery, deforestation and the overuse of agrichemicals) from one that merely makes chocolate?

Our annual Chocolate Scorecard[1] investigation, which is a collaboration between Be Slavery Free[2], Macquarie University[3], The University of Wollongong[4] and the Open University[5], suggests it might be a mission that goes beyond making food and profit.

‘Good eggs’ trumpet ambition

Only five of the 38 leading global chocolate makers we assessed received our green “good egg” award for exemplary practices. They are the Netherlands-based Orignal Beans[6] and Tony’s Chocolonely[7], Madagascar’s Beyond Good[8], US-based Alter Eco[9], and Switzerland’s HALBA[10]. Original Beans are at the forefront of Europe’s artisan chocolate revolution. Its mission statement includes the words “regenerate what you consume[11]”. Its website asks its customers to “heal the future, don’t steal it[12]”. Tony’s Chocolonely has as its mission[13] making slave-free chocolate and turning all chocolate slave-free. It says 60% of the world’s cocoa comes from 2.5 million farms in West Africa that are placed under the kind of pricing pressure that leads to child labour and modern slavery. The average cocoa farmer earns less than US$1.20 per day, and women cocoa farmers are thought to earn around 50 cents per day. ‘Broken eggs’ say little At the other end of the scale, firms such as Unilever[14] (which makes Magnum icecreams) and Mondēlez[15] (which makes Cadbury) were awarded “broken eggs” for not engaging with the survey. Mondēlez[16] describes its mission as going “the extra mile to lead the future of snacking around the world”, rather than tackling environmental or social concerns. It’s a long way from Cadbury’s original mission. Founder John Cadbury was a Quaker “driven by a passion for social reform[17]” who helped found the forerunner to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals[18] and planned a “model village[19]” for his workers including schools, shops, parks and childcare. Cadbury founder John Cadbury. Cadbury[20] In 2022, Britain’s Channel 4[21] broadcast undercover footage from Ghana purporting to show children as young as 10 barefoot, wearing shorts and T-shirts, using machetes to harvest cocoa pods and sharpened sticks to extract beans that were eventually used in Cadbury chocolate. Mondelēz said it was deeply concerned[22]. It explicitly prohibited child labour and had been making significant efforts to improve the protection of children in the communities where it sourced cocoa, including Ghana. If such efforts are afoot, Chocolate Scorecard[23] would like to hear about them. ‘Rotten eggs’ can improve Among those companies that did respond, there are signs of improvement. In 2020, Godiva[24] received a “rotten egg” award for “failing to take responsibility for the conditions with which its chocolates are made despite making huge profits off its chocolate”. Godvia[25] now says it is dedicated to “a sustainable and thriving cocoa industry where farmers prosper, communities are empowered, human rights are respected, and the environment is conserved”. It has earned an “orange” rating, demonstrating that progress is achievable. Similarly, Sücden[26] - a previous red “rotten egg” - improved to yellow in this year’s scorecard. Nestlé’s inclusion in this years top ten gives us hope. It now says its purpose[27] is to “unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come”. Companies require profits to survive. But if profit and making chocolate are their only drivers, they are likely to hurt people and the environment while doing it. This Easter it is possible to support firms that are making profits without hurting the planet or its inhabitants. Our scorecard finds there are more and more of them. Read more: Want to buy guilt-free Easter chocolate? Pick from our list of 'good eggs' that score best for the environment and child labour[28] References^ Chocolate Scorecard (www.chocolatescorecard.com)^ Be Slavery Free (www.beslaveryfree.com)^ Macquarie University (www.mq.edu.au)^ The University of Wollongong (www.uow.edu.au)^ Open University (business-school.open.ac.uk)^ Orignal Beans (originalbeans.com)^ Tony’s Chocolonely (tonyschocolonely.com)^ Beyond Good (beyondgood.com)^ Alter Eco (www.alterecofoods.com)^ HALBA (www.halba.ch)^ regenerate what you consume (originalbeans.com)^ heal the future, don’t steal it (originalbeans.com)^ mission (tonyschocolonely.com)^ Unilever (www.unilever.com)^ Mondēlez (www.mondelezinternational.com)^ Mondēlez (www.mondelezinternational.com)^ driven by a passion for social reform (news.bbc.co.uk)^ Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.quakersintheworld.org)^ model village (www.cadbury.com.au)^ Cadbury (www.cadbury.com.au)^ Channel 4 (www.channel4.com)^ deeply concerned (www.theguardian.com)^ Chocolate Scorecard (www.chocolatescorecard.com)^ Godiva (bartalks.net)^ Godvia (godiva.com.au)^ Sücden (www.sucden.com)^ purpose (www.nestle.com)^ Want to buy guilt-free Easter chocolate? Pick from our list of 'good eggs' that score best for the environment and child labour (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/at-chocolate-time-weve-discovered-what-the-brands-that-score-best-on-child-labour-and-the-environment-and-have-in-common-201682

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping