As a Lindt & Sprüngli group company, we at Ghirardelli comply with the group's sustainability standards.
High-quality cocoa is the heart of our chocolates
We, at Lindt & Sprüngli, oversee every stage of the chocolate making process: from the selection of the cocoa beans to the production of the finished chocolate products. This means our chocolate is produced from 'bean to bar'. We understand that we can only make a meaningful impact on local conditions if we know where our cocoa beans come from, who grew them and how they are produced. That is why we developed our own sustainability program for cocoa in 2008 – the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program.
We pride ourselves on using cocoa beans from our Farming Program in our chocolates. After achieving our goal to source 100% of our cocoa beans through the Farming Program in 2020, we extended the Farming Program to include cocoa butter in 2021. In 2022, we were also able to purchase a small amount of cocoa powder through the Faming Program for the first time. These are major steps towards our target to source all of our cocoa products (beans, butter, powder, and chocolate mass) through sustainability programs by 2025.
We Are Commited
Since 2020, 100% of our cocoa beans have been sourced traceable and externally verified by an independent third party. By 2025, all cocoa products (beans, butter, powder, and chocolate mass) are to be sourced through sustainability programs.
We Are Wide-Reaching
More than 112,800 cocoa farmers from our cocoa origin countries are part of our Farming Program.
We Are Devoted
In 2022, we invested a total of CHF 27.5 million in cocoa sustainability, of which CHF 26.5 million was paid to cocoa suppliers for operating cocoa sustainability programs, mainly our Farming Program.
Our Farming Program in Detail
The Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program consists of four pillars
- Pillar 1 - Traceability and farmer organization
- Pillar 2 - Training and knowledge transfer
- Pillar 3 - Farmer investments and community development
- Pillar 4 - Verification and continuous progress
Learn more on our Farming Program website about the steps we are taking to improve the lives of our farmers, their families and communities.
Our Farming Program in Detail
The Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program consists of four pillars:
Pillar 1 - Tracing our beans
Pillar 2 - Training the farmers
Pillar 3 - Investments for farmers and communities
Pillar 4 - Independently verifying our program
Visit our Farming Program website to learn more about the steps we are taking to support cocoa farmers, their families, and communities.
Empowerment Through Education
Since 2008, Lindt & Sprüngli has built or refurbished a total of 43 schools benefiting approximately 6,700 children.
Clean and Safe Water Access
Approximately 175,000 community members benefit from 321 drinking water systems and boreholes built and functioning since 2008.
Support for Farmers and Their Families
1,017 passionate field staff work with cocoa farmers in the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program.
Our Commitments for a Better Tomorrow
Sustainable Cocoa
By 2025, we aim to source 100% of our cocoa (beans, butter, powder, and chocolate mass) through sustainability programs.
Free from Deforestation
Our aim is for 100% of sourced cocoa to be free from deforestation and covered by our Cocoa No-Deforestation & Agroforestry Action Plan by 2025.
Sustainable Sourcing
By 2025, 80% of our procurement expenditures for raw and packaging materials with significant sustainability risks will be covered by sustainable sourcing program.
Chocolate Waste Reduction
Our goal is to halve our chocolate waste in the production process per ton produced by 2025.
Women in Leadership
We aim to employ 40% women in senior leadership by 2025.
Climate
We are committed to defining science-based targets (SBT) including Scope 1, 2, and 3, with a goal of reaching net-zero emissions in the long term, to be announced in the second half of 2023.
Water Reduction
By 2025, we aim to have a 10% reduction in municipal water withdrawn in our production process, per ton produced.
Food Safety Standards
We comply with Lindt & Sprüngli quality and food safety standards on an ongoing basis.
Transparent and Responsible Communication
Our products are marketed and advertised according to national and international law. We avoid targeting children in advertising, encourage responsible consumption, and provide transparent nutritional information.
Safe Working Environment
We aim to continuously reduce our safety risks to achieve our long-term vision of zero lost time accidents.
Business Integrity
We do not participate in any corrupt or anti-competitive behaviour.
Sustainably Sourced Hazelnuts
Whole unprocessed hazelnuts are a key ingredient in some of our chocolate products. Learn how we are working to ensure that all our hazelnuts are sourced through sustainability programs.
RSPO-Certified Palm Oil
We understand the impact that the uncontrolled cultivation of palm oil can have on rainforests and biodiversity. That is why we are constantly monitoring its use in our products and are committed to only purchasing sustainable RSPO certified palm oil.
Recyclable Packaging
We are trying to strike a balance between visually appealing packaging and quality aspects associated with product protection. We always try to reduce packaging sizes and use recyclable materials wherever possible.
CO2 and Climate
Energy is used in the different production steps for making chocolate, such as heating, cooling, and transport. Greenhouse gas emissions can result from all these processes. We are committed to develop a science-based target for emissions from our entire value chain with a long-term goal to reach net-zero emissions.