Mondelez ahead of schedule on achieving 2020 sustainability targets

21 Jul 2017 --- Portion control, increasing the use of whole grains and including calories on front-of-pack labels are among the goals achieved by Mondelez International which is on target to meet its sustainability and impact targets for 2020. 

Mondelez International has published its 2016 Impact for Growth Progress report which highlights how the snacking company has met several of its well-being targets ahead of schedule. It includes the company's progress against its 2020 sustainable agriculture and environmental footprint goals to fight the impact of climate change. 

“Our future is rooted in helping people snack in a balanced way and enjoy life with products that are safely and sustainably sourced, produced and delivered,” said Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO. 

“That's why we focus our efforts on delivering positive change for people and the planet while driving business growth. I'm proud of our strong progress overall and particularly in well-being snacks where we were able to reach many of our targets ahead of schedule. Building on this foundation, we'll continue to lead with authenticity, integrity and transparency.”

Mondelez International focuses its efforts on four areas where it can have the greatest impact on people and the planet: sustainability, well-being snacks, communities and safety. 

Sustainability
It has reduced absolute CO2 emissions from manufacturing by 7 percent, reduced water use by 18 percent at priority locations where water is most scarce, while eliminating 46,300 metric tons of packaging — achieving two-thirds of its 2020 goal.

Meanwhile it has increased the reach of Cocoa Life, the company's sustainable cocoa sourcing program, by 20 percent, reaching 92,000 cocoa farmers in more than 861 communities. It has also maintained 100 percent RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) palm oil goal; with 96 percent of its palm oil traceable back to the mill.

In addition, 15 percent of eggs used in products in the US, Canada and the European Union were cage-free; on target to use 100 percent cage-free eggs in the US and Canada by 2020 and in the EU by 2025.

Well-being snacks
The company has exceeded the goal ahead of schedule to increase the number of individually wrapped portion-control options by achieving 39 percent growth against the 25 percent goal. Delivered, ahead of time, Better Choice options representing more than 25 percent of revenue and achieved a goal to have front-of-pack calorie labeling globally.

It has also improved the nutrition profile of overall its global portfolio by achieving the 25 percent increase of whole grain ahead of schedule, and reducing saturated fat by 6 percent and sodium by 5 percent.

Communities
The company has allocated more than US$42 million to healthy lifestyle community partnerships across 14 countries. These programs deliver positive public health impact across key metrics: 12 percent increase in participants' nutrition knowledge; 6 percent increase in participants' physical activity; and 11 percent more participants eating fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

Looking Ahead to 2020, the report outlines Mondelez International's plans to evolve its well-being portfolio approach to address areas that are becoming more important to consumers. 

Ambitions include growing 10 existing well-being brands at twice the rate of the base portfolio; improving the nutrition and ingredient profile of its power brands; and delivering 15 percent of revenue from individually wrapped, portion-control snack options that are under 200 calories.