A particularly important aspect of corporate sustainability at HALBA is how to deal with CO₂e emissions. We need energy to produce our high-quality foods. Due to the various processes involved, producing chocolate requires a lot of heat, which results in CO₂ emissions. We are constantly on the lookout for further scope for avoiding or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As some of our emissions cannot currently be avoided, we are focusing on measures to reduce operational emissions and, in addition to CO₂e storage within our value chain, contribute to achieving climate goals. In this way, HALBA has been pursuing the goal of reducing its CO₂e emissions through CO₂e storage since 2017, following the construction of its new site. HALBA has also been reducing the CO₂e emissions at its old sites in Wallisellen and Hinwil with additional CO₂e storage projects since 2011 (see Climate Protection Policy). As a significant proportion of emissions are generated in upstream agricultural production – particularly in the cultivation of cocoa, nuts, sugar and other raw materials – we focus on projects that contribute to reducing emissions and carbon sequestration along the entire supply chain.
The framework conditions for voluntary CO₂e offsetting have changed significantly under the Paris Agreement. In response to the new framework conditions, the Coop Group, which includes HALBA, has set ambitious climate targets that were validated by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) in 2024. The initiative offers companies a sound scientific framework for achieving the long-term climate goal of net zero by 2050 by setting ambitious and effective measures. HALBA had its full CO₂e footprint calculated for the very first time in 2022. Based on this, HALBA launched its own climate financing initiative in 2024. This fund finances climate-related agroforestry projects in the company’s own supply chain that will help to achieve its SBTi reduction targets. The conversion of existing cocoa plots into dynamic agroforestry (DAF) plots with increased CO₂e sequestration capacity will be supported by this fund going forward. Slashing the CO₂e emissions from cocoa makes a significant contribution to HALBA’s reduction target and allows customers to reduce their Scope 3 emissions by purchasing chocolate products with lower emissions. This makes a key contribution to climate protection.
The Coop Group has set itself the target of significantly reducing the carbon footprint of its production operations. This major project focused on establishing optimum conditions for climate-friendly production at HALBA's state-of-the-art production site in Pratteln, starting from the construction stage in 2017. On sunny summer days, the photovoltaic system supplies the entire high-bay warehouse and the logistics facilities with solar power generated on site. Thanks to woodchip heating and waste heat recovery, direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil energy sources and district heating have disappeared. The wood used in the woodchip heating is sourced from forests within a 50-kilometre radius of the factory in Pratteln. The availability of navigable waterways and rail transport networks enables the transport of goods to shift from road to rail or water, thereby reducing the comparatively higher emissions generated by road traffic. The factory site was also enhanced with green roof spaces, creating important habitats for plants, birds of prey and insects. This measure represents additional environmental value that goes beyond legal requirements in the canton.
Due to the transport routes involved, the procurement of our raw materials generates CO₂ emissions. HALBA sources many raw materials from Europe so as to reduce transport distances. Since 2018, most of the green lentils and chickpeas we use no longer come from overseas but from an organic producer in the South of France. Some of HALBA’s organic hazelnuts come from North Macedonia. And more than 50 % of our dry mushroom selection already comes from southern Europe. Not only do we contribute to the reduction and offsetting of CO₂e emissions by using shorter transport routes, we also expect our suppliers to take responsibility (see Procurement Policy).
HALBA is committed to offsetting operational CO₂e emissions and product-related emissions through reforestation products within its own value chain under the label Carbon Neutral Product until 2025. HALBA planted over 450 000 trees between 2011 and 2023, and starting in 2025, HALBA will fully align its climate strategy with the guidelines of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The plan is to dispense with the Carbon Neutral Product label, as the focus will be on the systematic reduction of emissions along the supply chain. Emissions that cannot be avoided are to be reduced through additional CO₂ storage projects.
In early 2019, we launched new reforestation projects in Ghana and Ecuador. They are the world’s first projects that combine cocoa cultivation in dynamic agroforestry with Gold Standard carbon insets. The Gold Standard is the strictest standard for climate protection projects. Coop is contributing to this DAF project in Ecuador, where highly diversified DAF cocoa cultivation systems have been established, including not only cocoa trees but also a variety of fruit and timber trees. It is estimated that by 2029, the trees will have sequestered 56 000 tonnes of CO₂e over 800 hectares. With this commitment, Coop is taking responsibility for emissions generated by airfreight, delivery journeys (coop.ch) and business trips.
HALBA is also recording CO₂ storage on 477 hectares in Ghana as a contribution to the Coop Group’s SBTi FLAG targets. Measurements and reporting will take place in 2028/2029 and 2032/2033 in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance. It is estimated that by 2047, the trees in this area will have sequestered over 200 000 tonnes of CO₂e.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges our society faces today, and its impacts affect HALBA, too. That is why we seek to contribute to the fight against climate change. We constantly endeavour to further reduce our CO₂e emissions across all areas with a view to reaching net zero by 2050.