World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is an international membership organization that promotes sustainability in the cocoa sector by providing cocoa farmers with the support they need to grow high quality cocoa and strengthen their communities.
Lindt & Sprüngli has been a member of WCF since 2015, and regularly supports specific projects and initiatives of the organization, including the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) to end deforestation and restore forest areas.
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) promotes the growth and use of sustainable palm oil through co-operation within the supply chain.
Lindt & Sprüngli has been a member of RSPO since 2008. Since 2015, Lindt & Sprüngli has sourced 100% of its palm oil, palm kernel oil, and their fractions, with RSPO certification. The Group reports yearly to the RSPO on its progress.
Dr. Rudolf K. Sprüngli (CH)
Earthworm Foundation
The Earthworm Foundation is a non-profit organization working with global companies, NGOs and communities to transform supply chains for people and nature.
In 2015, Lindt & Sprüngli started working with the Earthworm Foundation as an external assessment partner and became an official member in 2016. At least once a year, the Earthworm Foundation visits and evaluates each of the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Programs. Progress is regularly communicated on the Earthworm Foundation Transparency Hub.
UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact (UNGC) aims to align business operations and strategies with ten principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption; and drive strategic business actions to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.
As a UN Global Compact member, Lindt & Sprüngli reports yearly on its progress against the UNGC principles (see Sustainability Report).
Carbon Disclosure Project
The CDP is a not-for-profit charity that collects disclosures on environmental impacts. Lindt & Sprüngli’s annual responses to the Climate and Forest questionnaires are available to investors and other stakeholders on the CDP website.
National Initiatives on Sustainable Cocoa in Europe (ISCOs)
The National Initiatives on Sustainable Cocoa in Europe (ISCOs) are multi-stakeholder initiatives for more sustainability in the cocoa value chain. They foster collaboration between the cocoa and chocolate industry, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, and research institutes. Together, ISCO members actively engage on topics including improving the living conditions of cocoa farmers, protecting natural resources, and promoting biodiversity in cocoa producing countries.
SWISSCO (Since 2018)
The Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO): Lindt & Sprüngli (Switzerland) AG and the Lindt Cocoa Foundation have been active members since its foundation in January 2018 and also participate in its working groups.
GISCO (Since 2014)
The German Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO): Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli GmbH has been an active member since 2014.
Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI)
The Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) is a public-private partnership to end cocoa-related deforestation and forest degradation and promote forest restoration. The governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and 35 cocoa and chocolate companies collaborate within the framework of CFI with other stakeholders such as NGOs, farmer organizations and civil society organizations on the development and implementation of business-driven solutions. CFI is driven by the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF); IDH - the Sustainable Trade Initiative; and the Governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
It contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land) and is aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement.
As active member of the CFI since 2017, Lindt & Sprüngli reports on progress on an annual basis (see No-Deforestation & Agroforestry Progress Report).
Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC)
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) aims to bring sustainable packaging stakeholders together to catalyze actionable improvements to packaging systems and lend an authoritative voice on issues related to packaging sustainability.
Lindt & Sprüngli became an official member in 2021 to support progress and collaboration towards its sustainable packaging commitments.
GreenBiz Executive Network (GBEN)
The GreenBiz Executive Network (GBEN) is a membership-based, peer-to-peer learning forum for sustainability executives from the world’s largest companies. It provides access to the most current thinking on sustainability in the corporate setting to enable members to gain guidance and insight for better decision-making.
CLEF Child Learning and Education Facility
CLEF is an innovative public-private partnership focused on scaling investments to systematically improve access to quality education in Côte d’Ivoire. Scaling education is an essential tool to promote children’s rights and combat child labor. The partnership brings together the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, the cocoa and chocolate industry, and philanthropic organizations.
Industry associations, chambers of commerce and other organizations
Given our size, global presence, and the nature of our business, we also participate in select industry groups, membership associations and multi-stakeholder initiatives at the Group or local level. Listed below are those organizations in which we participate to discuss universal sustainability challenges and help create broader change. The list additionally includes a list of those associations which represent our most significant financial contributions and/or participation in projects or leadership roles. In general, we do not participate directly in political activities but may engage in debates of legitimate interest to us through trade associations. Accordingly, the company does not use corporate funds for the express purpose of political advocacy, lobbying or campaign contributions.
