Cargill has committed to improving sustainability across its cocoa supply chain with targeted investments aimed at cutting carbon emissions, reducing waste, and improving operational efficiency. These changes span across cocoa-producing regions in West Africa, processing hubs in Europe, and transportation routes.
In the Ivory Coast, cocoa shells, which were once discarded, are now used to power biomass boilers. In Ghana, a solar plant has been established to support production in Tema, while ISO-certified tanks are replacing disposable packaging to cut up to 100 tonnes of waste monthly. Upon arrival in Europe, the beans are stored in solar-powered warehouses in Amsterdam. They are then transported via fully electric barges, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 190,000 kilograms annually. The energy for these barges and Cargill’s Dutch facilities is supplied by Windpark Hanze, a partnership with Vattenfall.
Once processed, the cocoa shells are reused as fuel in biomass boilers in Amsterdam, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 19,000 tonnes annually. In total, Cargill’s sustainability initiatives, including wind energy from Windpark Hanze, result in a reduction of 31,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Cargill plans to reduce supply chain emissions by 30% per ton of product by 2030, further demonstrating its commitment to climate action through renewable energy, waste recycling, and sustainable transport solutions.