US – American multinational confectionery company Mondelez International is contributing towards a better world by investing in ventures tackling climate change issues with innovative and sustainable solutions.
The investment is being made through the company’s newly launched Sustainable Futures platform which will incubate, finance and support self-sustaining ventures that address key challenges in the world, including climate change.
The maker of Cadbury chocolate brand said that its Sustainable Futures platform aims to invest in social ventures that improve livelihoods and build healthy communities.
Additionally, the new program will invest in projects that protect forests, reduce carbon emissions or increase resilience in areas where it sources raw materials.
Among the first social ventures the platform will support is a nongovernmental organization in India that will set up a sustainable, women-owned social enterprise to upcycle multilayered plastic packaging into board for different uses.
Sustainable Futures program will also assist INMED Aquaponics Social Enterprise in South Africa in helping agro-entrepreneurs in climate-smart food production.
“Sustainable Futures is our first foray into impact investing and gives us the opportunity to work with others in supporting environmental and social projects that can help drive meaningful, long-term change.”
Dirk Van de Put, Mondelez ceo
Innovating sustianably
Mondelez has been aggressivley innovating its portfolio of iconic brands such as Oreo and Ritz to make them aligned with changing consumer demands ever since Dirk Van de Put took over as CEO in November 2017.
The company has also tangentially increased its investment in sustainable ventures in line with its Snacking Made right where the company pledged to lead the future of snacking by leveraging its global scale to deliver positive change.
It has bulked up its snacking portfolio through deals including its purchase of premium cookie maker Tate’s Bake Shop, a majority stake in Perfect Snacks and most recently, its acquisition of clean-label brand Hu.
In fall 2018, Mondelez started SnackVentures, its innovation and venture hub, which has invested in Israeli-based food-tech incubator The Kitchen; Uplift Food, a startup developing prebiotic foods; and Hu before it was acquired last month.
And last week, SnackFutures launched CoLab, a new startup engagement program for early-stage well-being snack brands.
Together, these projects and Sustainable Futures show Mondelez is aware that its future extends beyond its own walls.
“Sustainable Futures is our first foray into impact investing and gives us the opportunity to work with others in supporting environmental and social projects that can help drive meaningful, long-term change,” Van de Put said in a statement.
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