ESG Policy

Three Mountains Cocoa Environmental, Social, and Governance Policies

We formed Three Mountains Cocoa around a value system based on our most valuable resource: our people.  We support local social growth and prosperity by building equitable and sustainable organic cocoa value chains, facilitating economic empowerment for rural West Africa’s people.

To achieve this value system, we built our ESG mission statement around three pillars of sustainability:  People, Planet, and Profit.

People: Our Most Valuable Asset

Our ambition is to empower the individuals and communities of the locations we work in.  To this end, Three Mountains Cocoa do, and have done the following:

• We protect the societies we work with by conducting systematic social, health, and safety risk assessments to identify and eliminate adverse factors negatively impacting communities.
• We’re creating and promoting a safe and just society for all the people we work with.
• We’re empowering women by promoting opportunities in cocoa farming.
• We’re enhancing social development by pursuing Fairtrade certification on behalf of our farmers to ensure living wages and guaranteed minimum prices.
• We’re aligning Three Mountains Cocoa’s targets with the needs of the people on the ground by continually engaging and consulting with all stakeholders and adjusting our methodologies whenever needed.
• We promote human rights and fair labour practices by embracing international standards and national legislation.
• We’re protecting the cultural heritage of the areas we operate in by acknowledging the importance of the rights of indigenous people and taking precautionary measures to safeguard those rights.
• We’re supporting the development of social infrastructure within our areas by  supporting philanthropic endeavours, fundraising, and charitable grants.
• We support the protection and welfare of Children by aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 8.7, which aims to eradicate child labour by 2025.

Planet:  Our Most Generous Resource

Three Mountains Cocoa are conscious of climate issues, and we pledge to work methodically towards minimising environmental impact, bolster sustainability, and comply — and exceed — all applicable environmental legislation and mandatory provisions.  To ensure we take care of the only planet, we are:

• We are identifying and eliminating environmental risks by conducting systematic environmental impact assessments.
• We are upholding sustainable use of resources and promoting reuse and recycling practices by applying the principles of the Circular Economy.
• We’re conserving biodiversity by implementing the best land management practices.
• We protect natural ecosystems by mapping all farms and providing hands-on guidance to all farmers.
• We stand against deforestation caused by cocoa production and prove our commitment by obtaining external certification from the Rainforest Alliance.
• The environmental objective of Three Mountains Cocoa is to create a sustainable and disciplined certified-organic cocoa production which will naturally minimise adverse impacts on the planet and human health.

Profit: Our Method Of Sustaining People and Planet

Three Mountains Cocoa realises that good values need capital, but no funding can be obtained in an environment without trust.  We commit to operating with transparency and integrity across our value chain.  From providing farmers with effective, timely and sustainable resources to ensuring the return of the highest possible premiums.  To demonstrate this commitment, do the following:

• We comply with all applicable laws related to our operations.
• We follow strict ethical business practices and take a principled stand against corruption and bribery.
• We’re creating new job opportunities to enhance local economies.
• We’re adding value to the company and communities by investing in local projects.
• We promote the sustainable development of cocoa-producing communities by creating strategic partnerships with organisations beneficial to cocoa and the people who grow it.
• We constantly adjust our operations to suit changing needs by reviewing our policies, methodologies, and sustainability guidelines annually.

Ultimately, Three Mountains Cocoa’s long-term goal is to contribute to world food security by fostering sustainable agricultural and economic growth for all the people and communities in Ghana.

…and to produce damn fine cocoa!