Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Annual Chocolate Scorecard promotes accountability in sustainable chocolate production

The sixth annual Chocolate Scorecard initiative returned for Easter 2025, holding global confectionery giants to account for their sustainability policies, production practices and supply chain transparency.

Produced by Be Slavery Free, in collaboration with a team including UOW's Associate Professor Stephanie Perkiss alongside consultants and sustainability interest groups, the initiative evaluates and ranks chocolate traders, manufacturers, brands and retailers.

Sixty companies from around the world were invited to participate. Collectively purchasing more than 90% of the world's cocoa, these companies were assessed on key sustainability issues including supply chain traceability, child labour, deforestation, living income and pesticide use.

In 2025, Tony's Chocolonely won the Good Egg award in the large company category, ranking highest across six sustainability measures. Multinational chocolate manufacturer Mondelēz, producer of Cadbury, was given the Bad Egg award for refusing to participate.

Australian retailer Coles was also absent from this year's scorecard, raising questions about transparency and public accountability. However, transparency increased across the sector, with 82% of companies now fully disclosing child labour data. The scorecard also highlighted ongoing environmental concerns, with more than a third of cocoa purchased by companies coming from deforested or unknown sources.

By evaluating corporate sustainability practices and making the findings publicly available, the initiative aims to encourage greater transparency and more responsible practices across global chocolate supply chains.

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 4: Quality Education 
• Goal 5: Gender Equity 
• Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities 
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 
• Goal 13: Climate Action 
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Unlocking regenerative aquaculture on the NSW South Coast

The University of Wollongong, together with the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, worked alongside industry leaders, government stakeholders, experts and community members to understand the challenges and potential of regenerative aquaculture on the NSW South Coast.  

Regenerative ocean aquaculture is non-intensive, feed-free aquaculture which allows the stock to grow on its own, using natural food sources and conditions. Conducted over a 12-month period, the research explored how Indigenous, community and economic values can inform the emerging seaweed farming and evolving shellfish farming sectors in waters off the NSW South Coast.

Led by UOW Principal Research Fellow Associate Professor Michelle Voyer from ANCORS, the project team explored opportunities for the development of kelp and mussel farming aquaculture in the local area. The study found a very high degree of support for the development of this industry across the NSW South Coast.

To support the transition and responsible growth of a regenerative aquaculture industry in the area, the study recommendations focused on the establishment of research trial sites, co-designed site selection, and the development of a framework to support First Nations leadership in the regenerative aquaculture industry.

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals