Hershey publishes ESG report

May 30, 2023

The Hershey Company recently shared its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, which outlines the company’s progress toward its key sustainability priorities and goals.

Hershey’s Shared Goodness Promise, its global sustainability strategy, guides how the company incorporates responsible and sustainable practices into every aspect of its business to drive long-term business resilience and growth.

According to Hershey’s, the company remains focused on improving cocoa farming communities, ensuring human rights for people across its value chain, reducing its impact on the planet and creating a stronger and more resilient workforce.

“As we continue to act on the most important areas of focus for our business, including responsible sourcing, reducing our carbon footprint, and promoting inclusivity, we are continually reminded that our progress and achievements are made possible by our employees, farmers, partners and other stakeholders who share our commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable future,” said Michele Buck, CEO, The Hershey Company. “We are grateful for their input and support and look forward to continuing this journey together.”

Key focuses of the company strategy look at supporting cocoa farming communities, acting on climate change, and investing in a resilient supply chain and workforce.

By 2030, Hershey’s Cocoa For Good strategy looks to invest US$500 million to positively impact cocoa farming communities. In addition, it recently launched a new Income Accelerator in Côte d’Ivoire, a five-year program that provides cash transfers and investment in Village Savings and Loan Associations to supplement farmer income and combat poverty.

Other highlights include achieving 77% cocoa sourcing visibility in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in 2022 with a mission being to reach 100% sourcing visibility by 2025 and supporting initiatives to improve farmer livelihoods like providing financial literacy and agricultural training.

Across its global operations the company is reducing its environmental impact with a goal to achieve a 50% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 against a 2018 baseline. In 2022, the company’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions data received limited assurance by EY. It has also invested $3 million in reporting systems which provide usage data on electricity, natural gas and water at its facilities globally.

More recently, Hersey’s India plant transitioned from being powered using coal to rice husks, turning to biofuel to power production.

In terms of investing in a resilient supply chain and workforce, Hershey’s five-year DEI framework develops and invests in a pipeline to provide opportunities for all. Company highlights, it says, include launching ‘Say Hola’, an initiative to integrate both Spanish- and English-speaking employees at its Pennsylvania plant and expanding its partnership with three military hiring organisations to increase the number of veterans working for the company.

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