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How sustainable is Green & Black's ?

Green & Black's & sustainability


Green & Black's

15 out of 22

Sustainability summary

Brand owner: Kraft Foods Group
Head office: Northfield, Illinois
Sector: Chocolate brands
Categories : Chocolate Bars
Free Tags: chocolate, organic, cocoa beans

What's your sustainability news about Green & Black's?

Green & Black's sustainability score report

Last edited: 28 November 2012 by Mirela
Last reviewed: 24 November 2012 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

1 out of 5
1. Is there a policy for the brand (company) to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions? Green & Black's has taken several policy measures to reduce its carbon emissions, such as using renewable resources and using energy-efficient water coolers. Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual carbon footprint of its 'own operations'? Green & Black's states that it has calcultated its carbon footprint, but does not communicate this footprint on its website. Source
3. Has the brand (company) already reduced or compensated the carbon footprint of its own operations by at least 10% in the last 5 years? See remark for climate change question 2. Source
4. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of its 'own operations' by at least 20% within the next 5 years? Green & Black's does not mention information on concrete reduction targets on its website. Source
5. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the product supply chain that is beyond own operations? In its production standards Green & Black's asks suppliers to be 'carbon, energy, water and packaging conscious and work towards reducing these'. However, no clear policies, goals or results are published. Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

8 out of 8
1. Has the brand (company) publicly communicated the commitment to use 100% of certified cocoa by 2020? Green & Black's already uses cocoa which comes from 100% sustainable sources, according to Fairtrade certified. Source
2. Does the brand (company) purchase cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides, preserve biodiversity, prevent deforestation and reduce water use? Green & Black's is a 100% organic brand, and all its products are certified by the Soil Association, the UK's leading organic certification body. Source
3. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 25% cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides, preserve biodiversity, prevent deforestation and reduce water use? See remark for environmental policy question 2. Source
4. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 50% cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides, preserve biodiversity, prevent deforestation and reduce water use? See remark for environmental policy question 2. Source
5. Does the brand (company) purchase 100% cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides, preserve biodiversity, prevent deforestation and reduce water use? See remark for environmental policy question 2. Source
6. Does the brand (company) have a policy to purchase its fillings (e.g. nuts, caramel, nougat, praline) and other ingredients (such as milk, sugar, oils and fats) from environmentally sustainable sources? Green & Black's uses organic fillings (for instance whole organic Sicilian almonds) and organic vanilla and sugar. Source
7. Does the brand (company) have the objective to only source sustainable palm oil by 2015 at the latest, and has the brand already purchased sustainable palm oil in order to stop e.g. the destruction of tropical forest for palm oil plantations? Green & Black's only uses organic palm oil (see lists of ingredients of all products). Source
8. Does the brand have clear objectives to minimize the environmental impact of packaging or does the brand already show clear 'best practices' regarding more sustainable packaging? Green & Black's is minimising packaging (such as the Miniature twelve pack) and uses as much environmentally friendly materials as possible, like FSC paper and recycled paper wrappers. Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

6 out of 9
1. Does the brand (company) purchase cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the cocoa? In 2011, all Green & Black's products are certified by Fairtrade. Source
2. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 25% cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the cocoa? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
3. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 50% cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the cocoa? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
4. Does the brand (company) purchase at least 75% cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the cocoa? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
5. Does the brand (company) purchase 100% cocoa from sources (plantations) that are certified to e.g. have no child labor and no forced labor, and provide a better living standard for the farmers and workers who produce the cocoa? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
6. Does the brand (company) maintain a published list of cocoa suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume of cocoa? Green & Black's mentions its suppliers of cocoa in Belize and Dominican Republic on its website, but it is not clear for which part of the total purchase volume these suppliers are responsible. Source
7. Does the brand (company) have a policy for the use of fairtrade certified or otherwise 'responsible' sugar? Green & Black's uses Fairtrade certified sugar for at least some of its chocolate bars (see list of ingredients in link). Source
8. Does the brand (company) have the objective to only source sustainable palm oil by 2015 at the latest, and has the brand already purchased sustainable palm oil in order to stop e.g. forced labour and insufficient wages? Although Green & Black's uses organic palm oil for its chocolate bars, Green & Black's does not communicate whether the palm oil that it uses is from socially certified sources. Source
9. Does the brand (company) have a policy to purchase its fillings (e.g. nuts, caramel, nougat, praline) and other ingredients (such as milk, oils and fats) from socially certified sources? Green & Black's does not communicate whether its hazelnuts are from socially certified sources. Source