Kathryn Morrisby is a journalist, copywriter, and total word nerd. If she’s not researching and writing about the latest social and cultural trends or creating crisp copy for small but brilliant brands, you’ll find her engrossed in clichéd Gen Y pastimes such as gardening, triathlon training, and fretting about her kids’ screen time.

Conversations about sustainability are no longer enough. As it becomes all but certain that global heating will increase beyond the 1.5°C of the Paris Agreement, the effects of climate change are already a reality for many communities worldwide. People are not only sensing the urgency of the matter but are realising that existing strategies – on a personal and collective level – are not sufficient.

While companies and businesses were quick to make environmental pledges and commitments, demonstrated by the rising ESG movement in recent years, the momentum has slowed or reversed in the face of economic downturn and potential culture war boycotts. Both people and companies are increasingly confused about the language of sustainability, and vague and misleading vocabulary has led to cases of greenwashing. While climate change is acknowledged as a pressing matter, people no longer understand how they can make a difference – feeling mistrust, scepticism, and fatigue from the oversaturation of messaging from big companies. At the same time, others are angry at the lack of progress, taking more drastic measures to spur governments, businesses, and billionaires into taking action and accountability for their disproportionate environmental impact.

Facing polycrisis in a world that's more interconnected and globalised than ever, people recognise the need for new leaders and ways to mobilise. They're calling for more intersectional approaches to sustainability, looking at long-term social, environmental, economic, and ethical impacts across the supply chain.

At the same time, the cost of living crisis is having a significant impact on people's sustainable behaviours. People often prioritise price over ethics (even if the growth of the eco-luxury sector shows no signs of stopping) but are also increasingly adopting circularity to save on costs – buying more secondhand, seeking out durability, repairing more, and sharing more.

Sustainable Solutions

As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

Shared Values

Catrin Burr is the founder of Aurosó Chocolate. All of her small-batch, reduced-sugar chocolates are made with RaiseTrade Madagascan chocolate and the finest preservative-free ingredients.

Carlos Ayala is a third-generation Italian Ecuadorian chocolate maker now based in the UK. His company, Vicolo Sei, sells premium Ecuadorian chocolate from authentically sustainable cacao farms.

Germany

Snacks and desserts

Sustainability

Mintel

Vegan News

Candy Industry

Yumda

Innova Market Insights

Toluna

Grocery Trader

DFNI

Clean Energy Wire

Meticulous Research

Interview with Catrin Burr conducted by the author

Vegan Food & Living

CGA Strategy

Interview with Carlos Ayala conducted by the author

The Guardian

European Commission

The Wall Street Journal | YouTube

Germans love their chocolate, and Ritter Sport’s ever-expanding range speaks to the nation’s growing demand for healthier, flavourful, and ethical options. As the ethics of cocoa sourcing come to the fore, Ritter shows how other brands can indulge chocolate lovers in creative, guilt-free ways.