User:Cooki3monster676/The Hershey Company

Carbon Footprint
Within the confectionery industry, many essential ingredients are only able to grow in specific areas of the world. This makes them more susceptible to the negative impacts of climate change and increasing temperatures. On the other hand, confectionery agriculture greatly impacts the environment. For example, the emissions from the anaerobic decomposition of the cocoa pod husk contributes to the carbon footprint of agriculture. Producing cocoa using agroforestry method has negative effects that include the harmful composition of cocoa pod husks. However, different types of agricultural management have different levels of negative impacts on the environment. Even when using the improved methods of agriculture for cocoa, the transportation of the product reduces the benefits achieved from that method. Growing cocoa, specifically sugar confectionary products, is water intensive, resulting in water depletion. Additionally, packaging materials contribute to negative environmental effects.

In order to address these environmental concerns, Hershey Company made a commitment to environmental and climate change goals. The company's goals are in line with the principles of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). Included in their commitment is an environmental policy called Our Shared Goodness Promise which provides direction for Hershey's decisions that ultimately affect the environment. One of its main goals is to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHGs by 50% and reduce Scope 3 GHGs by 25%. To help reach this goal, Hershey turned its focus towards energy efficiency policies. Every Hershey location has an "Energy Champion" to ensure energy goals are met. On top of energy efficiency, Hershey has also committed to improving their packaging. Implementing more sustainable packaging will help the company reach their Scope 3 GHGs goal. They have set a goal to lower packaging weight by 25 million pounds by 2030 to decrease the environmental impact of their materials. Previously, Hershey reached their goal of reducing packaging weight 5 years before their target year. Going one step further, Hershey committed to switch their plastic packaging over to sustainable materials that can be recycled by 2030 through elimination and redesign. Hershey is working with Ecom, Ghana's Nature Conservation Research Center, the Ghana Forestry Commission, and the Ghana Cocoa Board to work against deforestation. This collaboration will push Hershey towards reaching their Scope 3 GHG goal. They are putting their focus on suppliers that deal with the primary products that contribute to deforestation. If any of their suppliers do not comply with this No Deforestation goal, they will cut ties.