The Brazilian chocolate company De Mendes from Colônia Chicano, Pará, won start-up of the year at the World Bioeconomy Forum. The prize recognizes the company’s contributions to the circular bioeconomy and to climate change mitigation.
This world recognition comes after a partnership with the company Celo De Bonstato Kaj Konservado (CBKK), whose social development committee is chaired by Dr Lee Pegler, Assistant Professor at the International Institute of Social Studies.
De Mendes works with different strategies to mitigate climate change. On the supply side, it has traditional Amazonian communities as cocoa suppliers. For consumers, the company provides a QR code on each package that leads to a blockchain tracking system. This way they can follow every step of the production process. De Mendes also promises a day free of greenhouse emissions to every chocolate bar that is purchased.
De Mendes is the test case for CBKK to develop its social and environment sustainability indicator under Dr. Pegler’s coordination. Five communities of De Mendes supplier base are being closely evaluated to see how much their inclusion into global value chains may contribute to social upgrading. To CBKK CEO Marcello Brito, the prize shows that with responsible support, small Amazonian businesses can gain the world market.
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