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 on CO₂e storage within our value chain, which contributes 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. On this basis, HALBA launched its own climate financing initiative in 2023. The Climate We Care Fund contributes to financing HALBA's projects that convert existing cocoa plots into Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF) plots within the supply chain. The trees on the DAF plots sequester additional amounts of CO2, which makes a significant contribution to HALBA's targeted reduction goal, as well as to those of its customers. Participating customers may contribute to the fund, depending on the purchased volume of chocolate products manufactured by HALBA. This enables another 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 involved 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 been reduced. 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 Spain and 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 since 2025, HALBA has fully aligned its climate strategy with the guidelines of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The «carbon-neutral product» label is therefore omitted, as the focus is placed on systematically reducing emissions along the supply chain.
At the beginning of 2019, HALBA launched new reforestation projects in Ghana and Ecuador that, for the first time worldwide, obtained "Gold Standard" certification for the transition to cocoa cultivation in dynamic agroforestry (DAF). The Gold Standard is the most stringent standard for climate protection projects. Coop, as well as selected customers of HALBA and organizations from international development cooperation, contribute to these projects in Ecuador and Ghana.
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 in Ecuador, around 56 000 tonnes of CO₂e will be sequestered across 585 hectares by 2029.
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.