The trouble with consumerism is it’s superficial. We’re not really educated on brand support. We’re totally spoiled since we can buy anything, from anywhere, by just a click of a button. The shopping revolution has grown and evolved. Our generation thrives on it. The rise of population, production, and propulsion has interconnected people and products. So, this post is for the shoppers that want to shop consciously too make a difference in the world. Not just consume.
Brand support creates Iconic Brands
If you haven’t heard the name Mondelez International here’s your chance. Why would you want to learn about this company? Maybe because it has some of the most powerful and iconic brands in the world. Or maybe because it helps to know how large corporations are conducting business.
Either way who really has the time to do research on what these companies are up too? Not many people would put the time in when life is busy and time is so precious. I want to make it easier for readers to stop in, read a good post, and take whatever tidbit with you!
Who Is Mondelez International?
Founded in 1923, and formally known as the National Dairy Products Corporation. An entrepreneur named Thomas McInnereny went to the banks for financing his vision. His plan was to consolidate the fragmented ice cream industry. Therefore, he joined his company with Edward Rieck’s dairy company. Together they convinced the banks to invest in a roll-up strategy. In order to monopolize the ice cream industry, they quickly acquired 55 dairy businesses.
Mondelez International is now an American multinational confectionery company. Its sole responsibility has been to feed generations delicious snacks! They’re sweet and salty treats are brands that we’ve all grown up eating. From Oreos to Ritz crackers, they operate making 26 billion dollars a year in 160 countries. We’ve voted with our dollars and have offered this company 100% brand support!
Corporate responsibility
I’ve chosen to highlight this company because they monitor their carbon footprint. According to their website, they’re working to set achievable goals for 2020.
These science-based goals help to limit climate change to less than 2 degrees. Included in this plan is the reduction of CO2 emissions by 15% equalling the amount of 240,000 tonnes a year. They’re not doing this alone. They hired a group of people dedicated to keeping them on track!
CDP Disclosure Insight Action is a non-profit group working with investors, companies, and cities. They understand the need for urgent action to build a sustainable economy. Given that I’m glad to see there’s a third party looking out for the general public. It would be too easy for a company to sugarcoat the truth. Don’t mind the pun!
Furthermore, the short term plan is to reduce packaging by 65,000 tonnes. Plus, the paper sourced will come from recyclable paper found from sustainable sources. Although this may be true they’ve also said they no longer want to support verified non-deforested sources in their packaging.
Deforestation in the Industry
However, they`re part of a pool of 1050 corporations deemed to have a significant impact on forests. In 2018 they did not disclose or remain transparent when it came to the deforestation of forests around the world. In fact, they`ve declined to disclose their impacts in the past three years.
Global forests are losing 5 million hectares a year which is 15 football fields a minute. Companies like Mondolez use commodities such as palm oil that drive the deforestation.
The problem with deforestation is that it if we lose our trees then less CO2 can be absorbed. CDP data shows that 83% of corporate targets regarding deforestation are until 2020. Only 14% of deforestation targets have been extended beyond the year 2020.
Moreover, companies reported 30 billion dollars in losses due to the destruction of forests. Between crop failures, forest fires, and regulatory change it’s all taking a toll on business as usual. It’s crazy to think that the problem, which can be solved, is mostly ignored.
Delivering Results
In spite of, Mondolez has created the Harmony program, which involves 1,700 farmers, 13 Millers, and cooperatives across 6 markets. The program promotes biodiversity, conserves water and cares for the soil. For ten years, the program has reduced the use of pesticides in fields and farmers have planted 1026 Hectares of flowers. The flowers are responsible for maintaining bee populations. They also support 30 species of butterflies.
Below are the brands that Mondolez controls. By purchasing these items you are supporting their programs and policies that offer both positive and negative impacts on the environment. The question is do you think the positives outweigh the negative? If the negatives are too much to take then what will you do to make a change?
- Belvita Breakfast,
- Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate,
- Chips Ahoy cookies,
- Dentyne Gum
- Enjoy Life Foods.
- Halls,
- Milka,
- Nabisco Newtons,
- Nilla,
- Nutter Butter,
- Oreo,
- Premium Ritz Crackers.
- Sour Patch kids,
- Stride Gum,
- Toblerone,
- Tang,
- Triscuits, and
- Wheat Thins.
- Kraft
Even though, their website paints a rosy picture telling us their story of corporate responsibility. Their efforts, through CPD, show us some kind of transparency. It seems their old ways and habits have been hard to break.
How you can make a change
We have the best chances now to make a large impact. With all the tools and education on the world wide web, we can use it to make a difference. Use my website as a bulletin for your conscious shopping needs because my goal is to make your job easier as a consumer.
A Sustainable economy is a thoughtful process developed and planned to change the world. It must be remembered that we’ve got to take the time out to plan for the future. It could be something as simple as baking your own cookies. Since baking reduces the amount of packaging used, plus it reduces the reliance on palm oil. This is a classic solution instead of offering brand support.
Every one of us has an obligation to make the world better off than we left it. Many people pour themselves into their family, work or volunteer life. But, sustainable lives requires the same thoughtful mindfulness each day. What are you going to do to minimize the impact of your carbon footprint?
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