Mondelēz International has published its 2020 Snacking Made Right Report, highlighting how the company’s differentiated approach to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is driving global progress against its ambitious 2025 targets and creating long-term value for the business and its stakeholders.
“Snacking Made Right is part of everything we do at Mondelēz International. It drives us to take care of our people, to protect our resources, and provide moments of comfort and connection for our consumers around the world,” said Dirk Van de Put, chairman and chief executive of Mondelēz International. “Last year our purpose was more important than ever and pushed us to continue to advance our ESG commitments and expand our robust goals. We remain focused on building a sustainable snacking company, minimising our impact on the environment while being a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and transparent organisation, and we are dedicated to accelerating our efforts to lead the future of snacking.”
Mondelēz International’s continuous efforts to deliver positive change have led to significant, business-impacting results, such as enhanced sustainable sourcing programmes, significant emissions and waste reductions and stronger connections with consumers and customers. In the past year, the company made meaningful progress against its sustainability and wellbeing goals and exceeded multiple targets, including:
Sustainable ingredients
• 68% of cocoa volume sourced sustainably via its signature sourcing programme Cocoa Life
• 98% palm oil sourced from suppliers aligned to MDLZ’s 2020 Palm Oil Action Plan
Environmental impact
• 20+% reduction in CO2 from manufacturing, exceeding the target of 15%
• 30+% reduction in priority water usage, exceeding the target of 10%
• 30+% reduction in total waste from manufacturing, exceeding the target of 20%
Packaging innovation
• 94% of packaging designed to be recyclable
• In 2020 the UK business removed 1.1 million plastic trays from its adult selection boxes, delivered a 15% reduction in the plastic used in its iconic Cadbury large share bags and also reduced its shelf-ready packaging for the nation’s favourite chocolate bar, Cadbury Dairy Milk 360g sharing tablet, saving over 40 tonnes of cardboard on this product alone
Wellbeing
• 16% revenue from snacks from portion control snacks
• In 2020 the UK the business continued its strong track record of offering more portion control options for consumers by voluntarily committing to bring all its Cadbury chocolate bars sold as part of a multipack under 200 calories by the end of 2021. The move will see 10 billion calories removed from the UK market every year
• It is part of Mondelēz International’s ongoing commitment to help tackle obesity and builds upon the company’s pledge to bring all its UK Cadbury chocolate and wider biscuit products typically bought by parents for children under 100 calories by the end of 2020. The much-loved Cadbury bars, Fudge, Curly Wurly and Chomp, as well as Barny sponge bears and Cadbury Mini Fingers and Cadbury Animals are now all under 100 calories
• In the UK, being part of Be Treatwise is one of the ways Mondelēz brings to life its commitment to mindful snacking. In 2020, it introduced a redesigned Be Treatwise logo across Cadbury packaging, to make it more prominent on pack and help encourage people to enjoy treats in moderation. The logo is also designed to drive people to www.betreatwise.net,where they can find practical tips and advice on how treats can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle
Community support
• Established the Sustainable Futures platform to amplify long-term positive impact for people and the planet through innovative social investment and partnerships
• Delivered more than $30 million globally for COVID-19 relief efforts, including a recent $2 million donation to support India’s fight against the pandemic
• In the UK Mondelēz International joined forces with engineering company 3P innovation to help produce thousands of medical visors every day to protect front line NHS staff. The food manufacturer repurposed its 3D printing technology which is normally used to make chocolate sculptures at Bournville, the home of Cadbury, to help print the medical visors
Accelerating diversity, equity & inclusion
In addition, Mondelēz International is stepping up its commitments to diversity, equity & inclusion and enhancing disclosure around progress in this space. In 2020, the company announced robust commitments, including spending $1 billion with women- and minority-owned businesses annually and doubling U.S. Black representation in management by 2024, while also appointing its first chief diversity & inclusion officer. And the company for the first time this year publishes its EEO-1 consolidated and full filings while continuing to adopt and publish annual SASB & TCFD alignment indices as part of an ongoing commitment to expanded disclosure and transparency. Mondelēz International’s Snacking Made Right report also reaffirms the company’s 2025 environmental goals, including:
Cocoa
• 100% of cocoa volume for chocolate brands sourced through MDLZ’s signature sustainable sourcing programme, Cocoa Life
Carbon
• 10% reduction in science-based, end-to-end C02 emissions
Packaging
• 100% of packaging designed to be recyclable and labeled with recycling information
• 25% reduction in the use of virgin rigid plastic
“We have a clear and distinctive approach to sustainability, one that is aligned to our business strategy and informed by our understanding of the issues that are most material to us as a business,” said Christine Montenegro McGrath, vice president and chief of global impact and sustainability at Mondelēz International.
“Moving forward, we will continue to target our efforts, prioritising where we can have the greatest impact, tackling root causes, measuring our progress and investing in scalable solutions, while remaining flexible and open to new ideas so we can drive lasting and meaningful change at scale.”
