 Background
Cadbury is one of the world’s largest confectionery companies. With origins stretching back over 200 years, today our products are enjoyed in almost every country in the world.
We have a long history and a special relationship with Ghana; William Cadbury helped found Ghana’s cocoa industry in 1908, when we left Sao Tomé due to poor labour conditions. Since then, in Ghana, we have played a part in developing the cocoa industry, establishing high standards of cocoa farming, and working to support farmers.
Sustainable cocoa farming in Ghana is important to Cadbury as cocoa is a vital ingredient of our chocolate. Long-term security of supply is important for our business as well as for the prosperity of the farming communities we work with.
How the issue was tackled
In 2005, we partnered with Earthwatch, the international environmental charity and the Ghana Nature Conservation Research Centre to initiate a three year project to improve biodiversity levels on cocoa farms in Ghana. As part of this innovative programme, Cadbury employees work alongside Ghanaian scientists as research assistants. We call the employee development arm of this programme, Earthshare.
Cadbury provides financial support and are closely involved in the programme itself. The project will encourage new farming methods to support the production of quality cocoa beans for future generations. Farmers will be encouraged to grow cocoa in a more ecologically balanced environment that provides a diversified habitat for birds and other wildlife and which increases cocoa yield and boosts farmers’ long term financial security.
Initial challenges of the Earthshare programme were easily overcome due to the commitment from all partners to making it a success. These ranged from working out clear deliverables, programme design, resource allocation and confirming governance. Over a year of planning and development took place with all parties involved prior to 2005. When the programme was ready for launch, we focused on communicating Earthshare internally across the business globally and also coordinating the logistics and practicalities with applicants and our partner NGOs.
Benefits and impacts
The Earthshare programme promotes environmental sustainability and sustainable cocoa growing, the protection of ecosystems and establishes eco-tourism as a potential income source.
Earthshare volunteers learn about the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by the people of cocoa farming communities. The programme also provides practical training for future conservation leaders and scientists.
In 2006, 40 volunteers participated in the project, including 20 Cadbury Schweppes employees from 15 countries who were selected for their interest in environmental issues, 10 employees from other companies and 10 students from Ghanaian universities also joined the project. The volunteers contributed over 2,000 hours of research time, which is the equivalent to one year for one scientist.
Earthshare has received much interest from development agencies and the media as an example of successful business/NGO partnership. The programme has been featured in a CNN documentary and a film sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Advice to others
Be open to working with others in a variety of ways – developing relationships and partnerships is key. Be clear about your primary goals but also keep an open mind in exploring how to go about achieving these and do tailor programmes to ensure needs are met. Often benefits and impacts take time to realise and to measure them takes patience and commitment – but the benefits can be invaluable.
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