Mars

A healthy cocoa pod. © GettyImages/dwart

Cocoa crop losses are 38% and rising - so what can be done?

By Niamh Michail

A staggering 38% of global cocoa is lost each year to disease or pests - and this figure looks set to rise - yet research is scant compared to rice, corn or wheat. Why is this and what is being done to reduce it?

Is chewing gum a 'single-use plastic'? ©GettyImages/mettus

UK plastics review may consider chewing gum tax

By Oliver Nieburg

The UK government is exploring the environmental impact of ‘single-use plastics’ and potentially considering taxes, but is yet to determine if chewing gum will be included.

If certfication can't bring farmers out poverty, can it be called truly sustainable?

Mini-documentary

Fair game: How effective is cocoa certification?

By Oliver Nieburg

Sourcing to fair trade standards, such as UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade, is an important first step for chocolate makers towards cocoa sustainability, but will not necessarily bring farmers out of extreme poverty, say supply chain actors.