Starbucks, the global coffee chain, is being targeted by campaigners over a lack of transparency in its cocoa supply. Mighty Earth, along with other civil society organizations including Be Slavery Free, Freedom United, and Green America, has launched a campaign urging Starbucks to disclose where it sources the cocoa for its chocolate products. The coalition alleges that Starbucks has failed to address deforestation and child labor risks in its cocoa supply chains, as well as failing to ensure a living income for cocoa farmers.
In a letter to Starbucks’ CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, the coalition highlights the company’s failure to provide detailed information about its cocoa purchasing or due diligence checks in its recent Global Environmental and Social Impact (GESI) report. This lack of transparency leaves Starbucks’ consumers unaware of the ethical credentials of its chocolate drinks and snacks. The coalition is pressuring the coffee giant to fulfill its commitments, which include publishing data about its cocoa sourcing and supporting a living income for cocoa farmers.
A Starbucks spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to responsible cocoa sourcing and sustainability. They stated that Starbucks directly purchased 12 million kilograms of Rainforest Alliance certified, segregated cocoa beans from Côte d’Ivoire in the latest financial year and paid a sustainability premium. Starbucks also announced its membership in the Cocoa and Forests Initiative to combat cocoa-related deforestation.
Mighty Earth’s Senior Director, Dr. Julian Oram, expressed concern about the lack of transparency in Starbucks’ cocoa sourcing. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that Starbucks’ customers have confidence in the ethical sourcing of the chocolate products they purchase. The cocoa industry is plagued by social and environmental issues, including child labor, deforestation, pesticide use, and farmer poverty. The coalition accuses Starbucks of having little understanding of the origins and conditions of its cocoa.
Despite repeated requests, Starbucks has failed to provide information on its cocoa sourcing or publish a living income strategy for farmers, according to the coalition. While the company has taken steps to improve cocoa sustainability, they argue that Starbucks’ claims are meaningless without transparency and meaningful action. The coalition is urging Starbucks to address these issues and take meaningful steps to protect cocoa communities.
Starbucks, which sources cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire, has faced accusations about its cocoa supply’s role in deforestation, a point highlighted by environmental groups. The coalition also highlighted Starbucks’ increased gross profit but the lack of progress in addressing these issues.
In conclusion, campaigners are putting pressure on Starbucks to increase transparency and take meaningful action in its cocoa supply chains. The company’s failure to provide detailed information and its lack of progress in addressing issues such as child labor and deforestation have raised concerns among civil society organizations. Starbucks customers deserve to have confidence that the chocolate products they purchase are ethically sourced. Other major cocoa buyers have embraced traceability tools and published lists of their suppliers, and the coalition expects Starbucks to do the same.