Barry Callebaut recognised with A rating for fourth successive year in CDP deforestation studies
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Sustained progress from Barry Callebaut against tackling deforestation in supply chains has been recognised by CDP, the non-profit environmental organisation, which has rated the company among the top performing global climate leader, reports Neill Barston.
The cocoa and chocolate firm gained an A- rating, making it one of the top 24 highest achievers in terms of corporate action and transparency, with its Forever Chocolate Commitments and further commitments to schemes including the CFI Forests initiative within West Africa.
As the company noted, it achieved its high rating for the fourth year in a row, with the CDP study examining a total of nearly 12,000 enterprises in its latest assessment, which has been recognised as providing a gold standard of environmental transparency. This was reflected in the fact that last year, over 590 investors with over US$110 trillion in assets and 200 major purchasers with US$5.5 trillion in procurement spend requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities through the organisation’s platform.
According to Barry Callebaut, this involves a detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess companies, allocating a score on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets.
This year, a record-breaking 12,000 companies were scored. Through significant demonstrable action to tackle deforestation in our supply chain and source more sustainable commodities, we are one out of 24 companies ranked in the ‘A-List’ by CDP for global forests stewardship. In addition, we received for the fourth consecutive year an “A-” for our carbon reduction efforts.
Pablo Perversi, Chief Innovation, Sustainability & Quality Officer; Global Head of Gourmet welcomed the company’s latest standings with. He said: “This is our fourth consecutive year of being recognised as a leader by CDP, which shows tremendous appreciation of our Forever Chocolate progress to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025. It is an enormous challenge, but the recognition by CDP is testimony to the dedication of our people, every day, to continue to innovate, scale and remain focussed on our sustainability efforts.
Reflecting on the results of its 2021 studies, Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP, said: “Many congratulations to all the companies on this year’s A List. Taking the lead on environmental transparency and action is one of the most important steps businesses can make, even more so in the year of COP26 and the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.
“The scale of the risk to businesses from climate change, water insecurity and deforestation can no longer be ignored, and we know the opportunities of action far outweigh the risks of inaction. Leadership from the private sector is essential for securing global ambitions for a net-zero, nature positive and equitable world. Our A List celebrates those companies who are preparing themselves to excel in the economy of the future by taking action today.”