20 years of doing good
now officially Sustainable Development Goals champion
Kim’s Chocolates has been recognized as SDG Champion by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, CIFAL UNITAR, during the 8th Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day Voka.
This UN sustainability certificate marks an important milestone in our long-term sustainability journey.
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A long-term, verified commitment
Since 2006, we have made sustainability part of how we operate, long before going green became trendy. We built one of Europe’s most energy-efficient chocolate factories. Since then, we’ve kept raising the bar:
- 2010 – Launch of Cocoa for Schools, supporting education in cocoa-growing communities
- 2017 – Integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals into our strategy
- 2018 – Co-founder of Beyond Chocolate, the sector’s partnership to end deforestation, stimulate education and provide a living income for cocoa growers
- 2020 – Recognized as an SDG Pioneer, UN-certified
- 2025 – Proud to be named SDG Champion, CO₂ Reduction
In 2017, we built a concrete action plan linked to the United Nations’s 5 Ps of sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships, validated annually by the Chamber of Commerce'sThis was the start of our sustainability trajectory.
Every single year, since 2017, our progress has been independently reviewed by the Chamber of Commerce Sustainable Entrepreneurship Charter (VCDO).committee. That external check on results, not promises, sets us apart from many chocolate manufacturers in Belgium and abroad.
We take our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibility seriously: measurable reductions, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement. We’re not perfect, we’re just on our way to do better tomorrow.
From SDG Pioneer to SDG Champion
After being recognized as an SDG Pioneer in 2020, our new “Champion” status confirms the next level of dedication: turning long-term strategy into verified, measurable impact.
Our key achievements so far:
- CO₂ reduction: Since 2006, we’ve cut a total of 7,895 tons of CO₂ by using our 4000 solar panels
- Science-Based Targets: Validated by SBTi — aiming for 100% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and 90% in Scope 3 (value chain) by 2050. Read our science-based targets listed on the SBTi website https://sciencebasedtargets.org/target-dashboard search on company Kim’s Chocolates. Good news, already in 2024 our Scope 2 emissions were net zero and 63 tons less direct emissions Scope 1
- Sustainable sourcing: 100% of our cocoa is sustainably sourced through Rainforest Alliance, Cocoa Horizons, and Fairtrade programs.
Circular packaging: All our packaging is recyclable, using FSC-certified paper and single-material foils to make recycling straightforward.
- Efficient production: Our bio-fermentation water treatment removes 90% of nutrients from wastewater; new washing machines have reduced freshwater use by 20%.
- Partnership for progress: As a founding member of Beyond Chocolate, we work with industry peers, NGOs, and researchers to ensure fair incomes for farmers and to fight deforestation and child labour.
Sustainability in action: our VCDO 2025 plan
Our current VCDO action plan includes 16 measurable initiatives — each tied to a specific SDG and verified annually. A few highlights:
- 100% traceable cocoa and ingredients (SDG 12, 8, 13, 15)
- Water reduction in production and transport (SDG 6)
- Employee training & lean production (SDG 4)
- Improved recycling and packaging materials (SDG 12)
- Safe and healthy workplace programs (SDG 3)
- Next-generation cooling systems & CO₂ reduction (SDG 13)
- New social initiative: Kim’s Cocoa Initiative (SDG 17)
Why this matters for our partners
For retailers and brands looking for a reliable, sustainable chocolate supplier, Kim’s Chocolates offers transparency, accountability, and proven results — not promises.
Our sustainability claims are externally verified, data-driven, and rooted in long-term practice, giving our partners the confidence that every chocolate we produce contributes to a fairer, cleaner supply chain.
Kim’s Chocolates
Sustainable. Belgian. Authentic.
Contact our team to learn how we integrate sustainability into every chocolate we make.
