SCM and Sustainability
Question 8-A
The most critical environmental and social impacts of cocoa production and harvesting include deforestation and child-labor. According to Aboa and Angel (2019), deforestation happens as there is no more land where people can plant cocoa trees. Therefore, the farmers result in cutting down trees from the rainforest, a phenomenon that causes soil erosion and thwarts rainfall production in the region. This scenario is similar to the message in “The Story of Stuff,” as Leonard (2009) maintains it involves poor disposal of waste. Therefore, farmers in cutting trees demonstrate the inability to rehabilitate land for cocoa production.
The other challenge stems from the increase in the number of cases concerning child labor. In this connection, O’keefe (2016) argues that even though chocolate producing companies had committed to end the practice, they have not been successful. O’keefe (2016) adduces children below fifteen years of age work at the cocoa farm. The majority of those kids are not offered the correct compensation that matches their input. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Question 8-B
Big brands such as Nestle, Mars, Unilever, and Starbucks are committed to curbing environmental degradation and child labor in Ivory Coast and Ghana. Besides, their commitment extends to all cocoa-producing nations in Africa. For example, Unilever (2018) maintains that Unilever is committed to half the rate of adverse environmental consequences through its products. Unilever (2018) insists that its purpose is to assist more than one billion people across the globe to improve their healthcare condition. The company is also committed to ensuring that the overall well-being of the farmers is improved. Unilever (2018) has also reiterated its commitment to source its entire raw materials efficiently while adhering to the stipulated sustainable standards.
The other company that has made a similar commitment is the Reckitt Benckiser Group. According to Reckitt Benckiser (2012), the firm’s focus is making sure that all raw materials incorporated meet the stipulated standards, show respect for fundamental human rights, and ensures the protection of the environment. Other companies that have made a public commitment to protecting the environment and shunning unsustainable sourcing include Patagonia, Starbucks, and the H&M clothing group.
Question 8-C
Human rights NGOs have shunned practices that do not depict respect for human life and the rights of people in cocoa-producing countries. Besides, the governments of Ivory Coast and Ghana stipulated policies tailored to ensure the protection of human life as well as the economic sustainability of the two countries. According to Aboa and Angel (2019), both governments have reiterated their purpose, which is to thwart all practices that promote child labor and increase the rate of deforestation.
Question 8-D
The three primary reasons brands are facing a cumbersome task in meeting their commitments associated with sustainable sourcing practices all revolve around the farmer. First, farmers in cocoa-producing countries are vulnerable since they do not obtain enough earnings from the venture. As a result, they are susceptible to the pressures associated with the lack of funds. Besides, most of the farmers are illiterate and, therefore, do not understand the repercussions of engaging in a deforestation spree.
The second reason is the poor economic condition facing individuals living in both Ivory Coast and Ghana. ABanburry (2008) argues that farmers do not have the luxury of taking care of the environment at the expense of getting enough income to feed their families. The lack of infrastructure where they can transport their raw materials, as well as the absence of learning institutions, propagates the challenge.
The third reason stems from poor implementation of government policy due to political instability in the core cocoa production areas. Ivory Coast, for instance, has faced political challenges and corruption, which thwart economic growth hence making it a problem for companies to implement sustainable practices.
References
ABanbury. (2008). CB/14/2 Sustainable Cocoa Economy: A Comprehensive and Participation Approach. https://www.icco.org/sites/www.roundtablecocoa.org/documents/Sustainable%20Cocoa%20Economy%20-%20A%20Comprehensive%20and%20Participatory%20Approach%20-%20CBWCE.pdf
Aboa, A., & Angel, M. (2019, September 10). Ivory Coast, Ghana looking to regulate cocoa industry’s sustainability schemes: sources. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ivorycoast-ghana-cocoa-sustainability/ivory-coast-ghana-looking-to-regulate-cocoa-industrys-sustainability-schemes-sources-idUSKCN1VV28J
Leonard, A. (2009). The Story of Stuff [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM
O’Brien, B. (2018, December 20). 4 companies who succeed by focusing on ethical sourcing and manufacturing – Trade Ready. Trade Ready. http://www.tradeready.ca/2018/topics/supply-chain-management/4-companies-succeed-focusing-ethical-sourcing-manufacturing/
O’Keefe, B. (2016, March). Bitter Sweets. Fortune; Fortune. https://fortune.com/longform/big-chocolate-child-labor/
Reckitt Benckiser. (2012). Policy on the Responsible Sourcing of Natural Raw Materials Background. In Reckitt Benckiser (pp. 1–1). https://www.rb.com/media/780/natural-raw-materials-sourcing-policy_oct-2012.pdf
Unilever. (2018). Sustainable sourcing. Unilever Global Company Website. https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/reducing-environmental-impact/sustainable-sourcing/