14 DAY TRIAL // Recent news from the Hershey Company (i.e. the largest chocolate manufacturer in Northern America) informs us that, by the year 2020, all of its chocolate products will be made using solely 100% certified cocoa.
In other words, the company is to see to it that its working agenda will abide by the highest of international standards concerning three major aspects: labor, environmental impact and farming.
Environmental Leader explains that, seeing how this particular company presently requires significant amounts of cocoa in order to make its chocolate products, its switching to certified cocoa will improve on the ecological and social impact of this industry on a global scale.
Thus, it may very well be that for the time being less than 5% of the world's cocoa supply is certified, yet odds are that once this company begins working towards implementing said international production standards, significant improvements will be made in terms of cutting down on the ecological and social footprint of the chocolate industry.
Apparently, the people and the regions targeted first and foremost by the Hershey Company's future development plans are those in West Africa.
Should things go as planned, the issue of kids laboring on cocoa plantations in this part of the world could soon become a thing of the past.
Commenting on this decision, the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Hershey Company, J. P. Bilbrey, made a case of how, “Consistent with Hershey's values, we are directly addressing the economic and social issues that impact West Africa's two million cocoa farmers and families.”
Furthermore, “Expanding the use of certified cocoa across out iconic chocolate brands while working with public and private partners demonstrates Hershey's responsible sourcing practices. I am confident that we can make a substantial difference in West African by 2020.”
According to the same source, the Hershey Company intends to also cut down on the amounts of waste it produces by 25%, up its recycling rates to 85%, push for better water management and also lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 13%.
The deadline for these green-oriented achievements is the year 2015.