Sustainable Cocoa: Tony’s Green Score for Chocolate Sourcing

Tony's Chocolonely has achieved one of two overall green scores in the 2026 Chocolate Scorecard results. HALBA secured the top position in the assessment.

The Chocolate Scorecard evaluates global chocolate companies annually on sustainability issues within the cocoa industry. According to the scorecard, key areas include living income, child labour, deforestation, gender equality, agroforestry and pesticide use.

Be Slavery Free coordinates the scorecard in collaboration with universities, consultants and NGOs. This year's assessment placed greater emphasis on measurable impact and tangible progress.

The evaluation rewards companies for demonstrated results rather than aspirations alone.

Gender equality in farming

Tony's Chocolonely received the Gender Award in recognition of its progress towards gender equality in cocoa farming communities.

The company acknowledged structural barriers women face in cocoa production.

According to Tony's Chocolonely, these barriers include lower pay and fewer opportunities.

The company emphasised its belief that gender equality is essential to creating a more sustainable cocoa industry.

Tony's has developed and implemented a dedicated Gender Roadmap.

The company continues to invest in initiatives aimed at improving access to income, training, resources and decision-making opportunities for women.

An updated gender strategy is expected later this year.

Living income and farmer support

Tony's Chocolonely ranked number one for living income in the scorecard.

The company has maintained a commitment to helping cocoa farmers earn and maintain at least a living income.

Through Tony's Open Chain model, the company has consistently paid a Living Income Reference Price.

The programme includes long-term partnerships, productivity investments and resilience-building initiatives for farmers.

The company also received top marks for its efforts to address child labour and deforestation.

Douglas Lamont, Chief Executive Officer of Tony's Chocolonely, writes on LinkedIn that he is "very proud of the results we have delivered in a turbulent year for cocoa."

"Our ambition to end exploitation in cocoa rests on us showing that you can deliver a positive impact for cocoa farming families, while also delivering strong commercial results," he says.

Tony's acknowledged there is room for improvement in areas such as agroforestry and pesticide use.

The scorecard introduced stricter, impact-focused criteria in these categories.

In response, the company continues to strengthen its Integrated Pest Management practices.

Tony's is expanding its Farm Transformation program, which supports farmers through tailored coaching.

The programme includes increased tree diversity and funded implementation efforts.

Tony's congratulated HALBA on its first-place ranking by saying, "BIGGEST congrats again to HALBA for taking 1st place this year! We're beyond excited to see another choco brand raising the bar. 'Cause it's only together that we'll be able to change the industry and end exploitation in cocoa."

Mission Allies network

Mission Allies are companies that join Tony's Open Chain to help tackle problems in the cocoa industry. Partners commit to ethical sourcing through Tony's five Sourcing Principles.

The network ranges from brands and manufacturers to major retailers.

According to Tony's, these partners play a key role in increasing the volume of cocoa sourced responsibly and spreading awareness about exploitation in supply chains.

The following companies committed to sustainable sourcing, in year order:

• 2005: Tony's Chocolonely
• 2018: Albert Heijin
• 2020: Aldi, vly
• 2021: Jokolade
• 2022: The Flower Farm, Plus, Ben & Jerry's, Koro Source, Pleese
• 2023: Huel, Cococo, Hema, Jumbo, Waitrose, Pip & Hut
• 2024: Feastables, Holie foods, Johnny Cashew, Colruyt
• 2025: Koeckebackers.

The Mission Allies work together within Tony's Open Chain. Each uses their own products and supply chains to help drive systemic change towards fairer cocoa sourcing.

"Almost half of the beans Tony's Open Chain sourced went to other Mission Allies (the other half went to Tony's) and last year we proudly welcomed two new partners to the movement, bringing us to 22 in total," says Douglas in the company's 2024/2025 annual report.

The Chocolonely Foundation role

The Chocolonely Foundation is an independent organisation that supports projects and initiatives aimed at building prosperous cocoa-growing communities in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.

The foundation also encourages systemic change and challenges the status quo in the cocoa sector.

Although it shares a name with Tony's Chocolonely, it operates separately with its own board and decision-making power.

The two entities maintain distinct operational structures.

Tony's works to end exploitation in cocoa by changing the industry from within. The company produces and sells chocolate made with responsibly sourced cocoa using its five Sourcing Principles.

The foundation focuses on complementary support such as funding social programmes.

According to the foundation, these include school fees and community stability initiatives to help farmers manage income gaps during the cocoa season.

Tony's Chocolonely donates 1% of its net revenue annually to the foundation. The foundation invests in projects that strengthen inclusive cocoa communities, reduce poverty and improve living conditions in cocoa-growing regions.

Investments include education support and assistance for victims of human trafficking and exploitation.