No chocolate on Valentine\u2019s Day? Along with a multitude of other problems, global warming threatens to put the world\u2019s chocolate supplies in danger, meaning a lot of broken hearts on 2\/14 and the possible extinction of self-indulgence of the world\u2019s sweetest treat.<\/p>\n
Cocoa is a perennial tree crop of the humid tropics grown frequently under forest shade and a cocoa field has an economic life of some 25-30 years. In West Africa, Cocoa is mostly grown, under extensive management systems by smallholders (often with only 1-2 ha of the crop). It is estimated that there are over 2 million cocoa smallholders in C\u00f4te d’Ivoire and Ghana and that these countries account for 60 percent of the world\u2019s cocoa supply. The impacts of changing weather patterns are already being felt, particularly in Ivory Coast, which just experienced an exceptionally long Harmattan season (the dry and dusty north-easterly trade wind that blows in from the Sahara Desert during the winter). Furthermore, research highlighted in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability report<\/em> indicates that, under a \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d scenario, these countries will experience a 3.8\u00b0F (2.1\u00b0C) increase in temperature by 2050, with annual rainfall dropping by as much as 20mm. [1], [2]<\/p>\n To make matters worse, the world\u2019s appetite for chocolate is increasing \u2013 emerging markets like China and Brazil have developed a sweet tooth. By 2020, the world\u2019s cocoa demand is predicted to exceed the supply by 1 million tons. Given these statistics and that Nestl\u00e9 buys 60% of its cocoa from West African farmers, Nestl\u00e9 is extremely focused on improving farming practices in these regions. The Company is currently working with cocoa farmers in C\u00f4te d’Ivoire and Ghana to help minimize the impact of climate change on cocoa production. Through a variety of strategies including the Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan, Local Partnerships and various Environmental Sustainability Initiatives, Nestl\u00e9 is optimistic that it can manage its farming partners\u2019 cocoa production to prevent major disruptions to its supply chain. [3]<\/p>\n Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n Through the Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan, Nestl\u00e9 has made a lot of progress in helping improve cocoa farming in West Africa. The plan focuses on three main pillars:<\/p>\n In 2015, through the program, Nestl\u00e9 distributed 1.6 million higher-yielding cocoa plants to farmers in the Ivory Coast and trained 44,617 farmers. In addition, the Company exceeded its objective of purchasing 100,000 tonnes of cocoa. [5] The Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan is helping farmers improve and sustain the cocoa industry by discovering ways to maximize yields. Through the plan, Nestl\u00e9 is training farmers in techniques to adapt to changing weather patterns such as temperature increases and limited rainfall. The training also includes how to better prepare soil and prevent erosion, responsible use of fertilizer, and water conservation.<\/p>\n Local Partnerships <\/strong><\/p>\n In October 2014, Nestl\u00e9 announced the renewal of its long-standing collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), committing to contribute CHF 5 million over five years to the organization. In the framework of the partnership, water access and hygiene projects will be extended to cocoa growing communities in Ghana. [6]<\/p>\n Environmental Sustainability Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n Nestl\u00e9 over the years has committed an extensive amount of resources to tackling climate change, recently earning a place on CDP’s Climate A List. [7] Over the past ten years the Company has halved the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its factories per kilo of product. [8] Nestl\u00e9 has also pledged not to have its products associated with deforestation. It is apparent that Nestl\u00e9 is committed to playing a leading role in the fight of climate change.<\/p>\n Chocolate is a big part of our lives, it expresses our love, satisfies our cravings, and is even good for the heart. In the right proportions, of course! Luckily, Nestl\u00e9 and other major chocolate manufacturers are implementing the necessary measures to help ensure that one of mankind\u2019s favorite guilty pleasures does not become extinct.<\/p>\n Word Count:<\/strong> 750 words<\/p>\n [1] Federation of Cocoa Commerce. \u201cAn Overview of Cocoa Production in C\u00f4te d’Ivoire and Ghana\u201d http:\/\/www.cocoafederation.com\/education\/cocoa-production<\/a> [Accessed November 2016].<\/p>\n [2] \u201cClimate-Conscious Cocoa\u201d https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/Nestl\u00e9-sustainable-cocoa\/2016\/aug\/01\/climate-conscious-cocoa<\/a> [Accessed November 2016].<\/p>\n [3] Nestl\u00e9. \u201cRoll out the Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan with cocoa farmers\u201d http:\/\/www.Nestl\u00e9-cwa.com\/en\/csv\/rural-development-responsible-sourcing\/rural-communities\/cocoa-plan<\/a> [Accessed November 2016].<\/p>\n [4] Nestl\u00e9. \u201cNestl\u00e9 Ghana commits to a sustainable cocoa supply chain through the Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan\u201d http:\/\/www.Nestl\u00e9-cwa.com\/en\/Nestl-Ghana-commits-to-a-sustainable-cocoa-supply-chain-through-the-Nestl-Cocoa-Plan<\/a> [Accessed November 2016].<\/p>\n [5] Nestl\u00e9. \u201cNestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan?\u201d http:\/\/www.Nestl\u00e9.com\/csv\/rural-development-responsible-sourcing\/Nestl\u00e9-cocoa-plan<\/a> [Accessed November 2016].<\/p>\n [6] Nestl\u00e9. \u201cNestl\u00e9 Ghana commits to a sustainable cocoa supply chain through the Nestl\u00e9 Cocoa Plan\u201d http:\/\/www.Nestl\u00e9-cwa.com\/en\/Nestl-Ghana-commits-to-a-sustainable-cocoa-supply-chain-through-the-Nestl-Cocoa-Plan<\/a> [Accessed November 2016].<\/p>\n [7] CDP fka Carbon Disclosure Project. Out of the Starting Block Report \u2013 Tracking progress on corporate climate action \u201cThe Climate A List\u201d [Accessed November 2016].<\/p>\n\n
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