DEERFIELD, ILL. — Mondel?z International has checked off several sustainability goals and is on target on several others it set forth in 2013 when it launched its global “Call for Well-Being.”
In its “The Call for Well-Being” 2014 progress report issued May 28, the Deerfield-based company said it has achieved its goal of having Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (R.S.P.O.) coverage of 100% — two years ahead of its commitment. And, at the end of 2014, 70% of the palm oil Mondel?z sourced was traceable back to the mill.
Three other goals the company set out to achieve were to reduce waste in manufacturing 15% by 2015, reduce greenhouse gases from manufacturing 15% by 2015, and eliminate 50 million lbs of packaging by 2015. All three were accomplished ahead of schedule.
Mondel?z said it reduced net waste by 57% per tonne through innovative solutions and partnerships in facilities worldwide — nearly four times its goal. The company also reduced emissions by 16% per tonne at sites worldwide and eliminated 89 million lbs of packaging, exceeding its target by 78%.
Transforming cocoa supply chain
As the largest buyer of cocoa in the world, Mondel?z has pledged to lead the transformation of the cocoa supply chain. The company has set a goal to sustainably source all its cocoa, and so far is on target to achieve its goal. In 2014, 12% of Mondel?z’s cocoa was sustainably sourced, a percentage that the company said it expects to grow substantially as more farmers join the Cocoa Life program. Cocoa Life was launched in 2012 with a $400 million, 10-year commitment to empower more than 200,000 farmers and more than one million people in the company’s six key cocoa growing origins by 2022.
Mondel?z also is on target to achieve its goal of 70% of global coffee sustainably sourced by 2015. As of 2014, 61% of the company’s coffee was sustainably sourced, Mondel?z noted in the report.
Nearing Harmony goal
Mondel?z in 2008 launched Harmony, a sustainable partnership in Europe with stakeholders who are considered key links in the wheat production chain. The initial group of 68 farmers in France is now a partnership of more than 1,700 farmers across Europe. The 2014 harvest covered 30,000 hectares and yielded 190,000 tons of Harmony flour for Mondel?z’s biscuits, the company said. Mondel?z said it is on target to achieve its goal of 75% of Western European biscuit volume made with Harmony wheat by 2015. In 2014, 60% of the company’s Western European biscuits were made with Harmony wheat.
“Harmony farmers follow practices that are more respectful to the environment and grow the carefully selected varieties of wheat that meet our rigorous baking needs, requiring traceability from seed to flour,” the company noted in the report. “Furthermore, they commit to limiting the use of treatment, using proper soil management, taking preventative actions, using precision tools, limiting the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and preventing excessive water use by analyzing real plant needs, soil reserves and climate.
“Also, as part of Harmony, the farmers agree to practices that promote local biodiversity. Three per cent of their wheat field surface is reserved for growing flowers that are selected to attract bees, butterflies and other natural pollinators. To guarantee compliance and traceability from seed to flour all partners along the supply chain track their practices against indicators and 10% of farmers and 100% of millers are audited every year.”
More work needed
Two areas identified by Mondel?z as needing more progress were reducing water in manufacturing and reducing energy in manufacturing.
The company said it has reduced its incoming water usage by 10% per tonne of product, which compared with its goal of 15% reduction by 2015. Mondel?z said it is “looking to do more through our continuing global partnership with Ecolab to identify further water saving projects in key sites.”
Meanwhile, Mondel?z has achieved 7% reduction in energy per tonne at sites worldwide, short of its goal of 15%.
“We continue to evaluate how we can improve upon this goal,” the company said.
For the full report,click here.
