• The Chocolate Museum
• Conversion measures
• Commitment to sustainability
• Education for sustainable development (ESD)
• Our awards
• Our partners
• Appendix

Dear friends of the Chocolate Museum,

We are delighted to present the Sustainable Development Report for 2023. It was an eventful year full of challenges, but also full of successes. Despite the global instability that continues to be characterized by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and its worldwide consequences, tourism activities in Cologne have increased significantly. We are particularly proud of the fact that the Chocolate Museum set a new visitor record of 665,000 guests. This success shows us that our commitment to sustainable development and education is reaching a wide audience.

With regard to the future of the Chocolate Museum, we are not only investing in our infrastructure, but also in the expansion of our permanent exhibition. The comprehensive redesign, which will be completed by mid-2025, is a key part of our efforts to establish the Chocolate Museum as an innovative educational venue that conveys both knowledge and emotions. In March 2023, the new exhibition area "World Cocoa Journey" was opened. It provides vivid information about the global supply chains of cocoa, the environmental and social challenges and possible solutions for achieving sustainable development in the cocoa sector.

We invite you to read our Sustainability Report 2023 and look forward to your feedback and suggestions.

Yours sincerely,

Annette Imhoff and Dr. Christian Unterberg-Imhoff

Since its opening in 1993, the Chocolate Museum in Cologne has been a unique place dedicated to the history and culture of cocoa and chocolate. For over 30 years, the museum has been inspiring visitors with its extensive exhibition, which illustrates and brings to life the entire process from the cocoa harvest to processing and the final chocolate product. There is no other museum in the world that has such a comprehensive collection and presentation of the history of cocoa and chocolate.

The journey that our visitors take with us begins in the ancient cultures of Central and South America, where cocoa was considered a sacred plant, and ends in the present day, when chocolate has become a popular industrial product worldwide. Our exhibition not only presents the production of chocolate, but also sheds light on the influence of cocoa cultivation on the living conditions of people in the countries where it is grown.

Particularly noteworthy is our permanent exhibition "Cocoa's Journey Around the World", which opened in 2023 and is dedicated to the cultivation, harvesting, transportation and processing of cocoa. The exhibition highlights global supply chains and addresses challenges such as child labor, poverty and environmental degradation. At the same time, we present solutions through sustainable cultivation methods, living incomes for cocoa farmers and the positive influence of transparent supply chains on global trade.

Guided tours such as "100% chocolate", "Discovering the secret of chocolate" or "Sustainable and fair - chocolate and cocoa!" give our visitors the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of chocolate. With delicious samples and numerous interactive elements, we create a special connection between enjoyment and knowledge. Our aim is to show visitors that behind the sweet temptation of chocolate lies a complex, often challenging reality that combines social, environmental and economic aspects. In 2023, around 75,000 visitors took part in a total of 3,100 museum tours.

The renovation work at the Chocolate Museum, which will begin in 2022 and 2023 and continue until mid-2025, is a key part of our long-term vision to establish the museum as a leading educational venue. We have set ourselves the goal of presenting the topics surrounding cocoa and chocolate in a way that is not only vivid but also future-oriented.

A central component of this redesign is the "World Tour of Cocoa". Here, the entire journey of cocoa, from bean to chocolate, is presented in a multimedia and interactive way. It is particularly important to us to convey the complex interrelationships of the cocoa trade and cocoa cultivation to visitors in an understandable way. Topics such as the living conditions of cocoa farmers, the ecological challenges of cocoa cultivation and the influence of consumer decisions on global supply chains are covered in detail here.

State-of-the-art educational concepts and technologies are used to present these topics in an understandable and impressive way. A special focus is placed on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, which run as a common thread through the entire exhibition. Visitors can use interactive stations to find out how sustainable development can be implemented in their everyday lives and what role they themselves can play in the global context.

In addition, the themed room "How sustainable development can succeed" will focus on the realities of visitors' lives. Here, concrete measures for contributing to the sustainable development of our society are presented, for example by making conscious purchasing decisions, supporting fair trade products or reducing one's own carbon footprint. Sustainable development only works if this transfer to society is successful. We want to make our contribution to this.

In order to also do justice to the historical perspective and show which developments are still noticeable today, the new permanent exhibition "Time travel of cocoa" will be created by mid-2025. This exhibition begins with the first verifiable use of cocoa in South America and follows the history of cocoa through to industrialization. An important didactic approach of the new exhibition is to causally link past and present and to show that the cocoa trade is also part of the colonial history of subjugation and exploitation. The new exhibition takes a look at the subjugation of American cultures as well as the transatlantic slave trade, which was intended to supply sugar and cocoa plantations with cheap labor.

The heyday of European imperialism began at the same time as industrialization. Our main cocoa-growing regions today are all located in former European colonies. This part of history continues to have an impact today. It is important to the Chocolate Museum to show these historical connections.

As a museum that is committed not only to the history but also to the future of cocoa and chocolate, the topic of sustainability was and is of central importance. We see ourselves as multipliers for imparting knowledge about sustainable development and see it as our responsibility to actively contribute to overcoming global challenges such as climate change.

In 2023, we once again achieved our goal of climate neutrality. We achieved this through a combination of emission reduction measures and offsetting unavoidable emissions through carbon sequestration projects. Together with our partner Plant-for-the-Planet, we fully offset our emissions by purchasing emission reduction certificates (Gold Standard). Additional tree planting in Mexico complements these measures (5 trees per tonne of CO₂). Supported by our guests, who have planted a large number of trees at our "Climate Chocolate Tree" donation machine, we are making a positive contribution to reducing our CO₂ emissions beyond offsetting.

By the end of 2023, over 50,000 trees will have been planted thanks to our commitment and the support of our visitors, helping to reduce CO₂ levels in the atmosphere while protecting the habitats of endangered animal and plant species.

In addition, in collaboration with various organizations and NGOs, we have supported numerous projects that raise awareness of sustainability and improve the living conditions of people in cocoa-growing regions.

Climate change remains one of the greatest global challenges of our time. Protecting the climate is also a key task for the Chocolate Museum. We have therefore set ourselves the goal of making all our activities climate-neutral. As it is not yet possible to avoid all CO₂ emissions, we rely on a combination of emission reduction and offsetting.

In 2023, we implemented numerous measures to reduce our carbon footprint. These include optimizing our energy consumption and switching to sustainable packaging in our Transparent Chocolate Factory; reusable transport packaging is now used in internal logistics in particular. The chocolates produced there are sold in environmentally friendly and compostable packaging.

In 2023, we began implementing measures that will reduce the Chocolate Museum's energy requirements in the long term and at the same time use sustainable energy sources.

With the supply of local heating, a technology is already being used that will enable climate-neutral heating in the future. We expect our supplier to provide climate-neutral heat by 2035. The heat is already being generated by a highly energy-efficient combined heat and power plant.

In 2023, we started planning and implementing a comprehensive renewal and expansion of the ventilation and air conditioning technology for the entire exhibition. The addition of intelligent control technology ensures that the indoor air is adapted to the visitor flows.

In addition, all glass surfaces will be fitted with highly effective thermal insulation film to significantly reduce the heat input in the summer months and thus the energy required for cooling. The aim of these measures is to further reduce our energy consumption in order to make a contribution to achieving our sustainability goals as far as possible.

Calculation of our CO2 emissions

The inventory of emissions required for offsetting was carried out in accordance with the recognized principles of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GGP). To this end, all relevant greenhouse gas emissions in the chocolate museum's value chain were analyzed and converted into CO₂-equivalents using recognized factors (German Environment Agency, DEFRA UK). All emissions from Scopes 1 and 2 as well as parts of Scope 3 were taken into account. In particular, the chocolate produced in the Chocolate Museum for our visitors was recorded in full and made climate-neutral.

Scope 1 (direct emissions)
These emissions originate from emission sources within a company (consumption of oil, natural gas, coal, etc. for heating buildings, operation of the vehicle fleet, emissions from refrigerants).

Scope 1: 75.8 tons of_CO2

Scope 2 (indirect emissions)
These emissions arise from the generation of energy that is sourced externally (energy purchased from external energy supply companies, e.g. all electricity purchased).

Scope 2: 95.3 to_CO2

Scope 3 (other indirect emissions)

These are all other emissions caused by a company's business activities (employees traveling to and from work, business trips, events and consumption of auxiliary materials).

Scope 3: 383.4 tons of_CO2

Total 610 to_{CO2 (} incl. 10% surcharge for other)

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is a central concern of the Chocolate Museum. As part of our educational mission, we have set ourselves the task of informing our visitors about the global challenges in the cocoa sector and at the same time showing them ways in which they themselves can contribute to sustainable development.

Our exhibitions and educational programs are aimed at a wide audience - from school classes and families to individual visitors. Our educational programs for school classes in particular, such as the guided tour "Sustainable & Fair - Chocolate and Cocoa!", are becoming increasingly popular. In 2023, we recorded a significant increase in bookings for our sustainability tours, which underlines the growing interest in ESD topics. In total, around 350 ESD tours for school classes took place with almost 9,000 participants.

In addition, we regularly offer free training courses for teachers on topics relevant to school lessons, such as fair trade, sustainable cocoa farming and climate change. These training courses help to expand teachers' knowledge and skills in the field of sustainable development and integrate them into the classroom. The topic of cocoa and chocolate can be used as teaching material in a wide range of school subjects. For example, it can be covered in subjects such as geography, politics, but also biology or chemistry.

Our educational team consists of two full-time museum educators and over 30 freelance staff who receive regular training on the latest developments in ESD. In 2023, 20 employees were trained as "SDG Scouts" to further strengthen our educational offering and ensure that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are firmly anchored in our educational work. In addition, SDG Scouts should also work within an organization to ensure that sustainable development measures are considered and implemented in all areas of the organization. It was therefore very important that the 20 participants in the training course came from different departments within the museum.

Awards and certifications

The Chocolate Museum has received several awards in recent years for its educational and sustainability work:

• NUA Nature and Environment Academy NRW: Following its first certification in 2018, the Chocolate Museum was recognized as an ESD-certified learning location for a further three years in 2021. The next recertification is planned for 2024.
• UNESCO World Action Program on Education for Sustainable Development: The German Commission for UNESCO has once again recognized the Chocolate Museum for its outstanding work in the field of education for sustainable development for the years 2022/2023.

These awards confirm that we are on the right track and motivate us to continuously develop and improve our work.

The Chocolate Museum has been cooperating with the chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli since 2006. The company is characterized by its high ethical and sustainability standards in the procurement of raw materials and in the processing of high-quality chocolate. Cocoa is the most important basis for premium chocolate. This is why Lindt invests in preserving the environment and improving the living standards of cocoa farmers, as this is the only way to take responsibility for the future.

The Chocolate Museum has been a member of the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa since 2012. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the German confectionery industry, the German food trade and various civil society organizations have joined forces here. Together, they are pursuing the goal of improving the living conditions of cocoa farmers and their families and increasing the cultivation and marketing of sustainable cocoa.

The Chocolate Museum also cooperates in the field of education with various state and private institutions and organizations that are committed to sustainable development. It is also important to the museum to support smaller initiatives. Together with the Institute for Teacher Training at the University of Cologne, the "Weichenstellung" project is being implemented. This project supports pupils with special educational needs and enables them to visit the museum under professional supervision. In order to meet our aim of not excluding any target groups, we offer a special guided tour for people suffering from dementia in cooperation with Diakonie Michaelshoven.

Lindt & Sprüngli and the Cocoa Farming Program[1]

High-quality cocoa beans are the heart of our chocolates. At Lindt & Sprüngli, we take responsibility from the selection of the cocoa beans to the production of the finished chocolate products - from "bean to bar". Lindt & Sprüngli has therefore set up its own sustainability program for cocoa beans: the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program. The program enables us to trace our cocoa beans back to their place of origin and thus support farmers and their communities according to their specific needs. It empowers farmers to manage their farms according to good agricultural, social, environmental and economic practices. Local partners implement the program on the ground with a team of dedicated staff. The commitment helps farmers to increase their yields and consequently their income, shows them how to ensure the long-term agricultural use of the land and promotes access to cultivation equipment and infrastructure.

This is how we take responsibility

All products that leave our company ultimately meet our commitment to sustainability along the entire value chain. In our countries of origin, cocoa production faces major challenges. Small farms, old and diseased cocoa trees and limited agricultural practices can lead to low yields and insufficient income for farmers and their families. Poor infrastructure and a lack of access to agricultural equipment make production even more difficult. Finally, environmental challenges such as climate change and deforestation are also key issues. It is our priority to tackle these hurdles and take responsibility for sustainable cocoa farming.

Our commitment to a better future

Sustainability is an integral part of Lindt & Sprüngli's business model. Our mission is to produce premium products and combine our high quality standards with equally high ethical and sustainable standards in every aspect of our business. This is reflected in our commitment to sustainability along the entire value chain. The Lindt & Sprüngli Sustainability Plan forms the strategy for the sustainability area of our business model. With the Sustainability Plan, we focus on areas that are most relevant to our stakeholders and have the greatest impact on the environment, society and the economy. Our intention is to promote successful cooperation within the company, improve the livelihoods of our suppliers in the countries of origin, contribute to an intact environment and inspire our consumers.

[1] Excerpt from the Lindt & Sprüngli Sustainability Report. Sustainability Plan - Our Commitment for a Better Tomorrow | Lindt & Sprüngli(https://www.lindt-spruengli.com/sustainability/sustainability-strategy)

The Chocolate Museum Cologne strives for long-term partnerships with external organizations and initiatives in the field of education. Intensive cooperation with all those who are committed to the topic of sustainable development is a matter of course for us.

In 2023, joint projects were realized with the following organizations, among others

German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

The BMZ is responsible for coordinating the Federal Republic of Germany's international development cooperation and is committed, among other things, to the worldwide realization of human rights and the fight against hunger and poverty.

The Chocolate Museum has been working with the BMZ in the field of education for many years.

www.bmz.de

Engagement Global. Service for development initiatives

Engagement Global informs and advises individuals, civil society, municipalities, schools, businesses and foundations in Germany on development policy projects and provides them with financial support.

Since 2018, the Chocolate Museum and Engagement Global have been cooperating successfully as part of the Sustainable Development Week, which takes place annually to mark European Sustainability Week. Engagement Global also supports the training of the museum's educational staff and information events for teachers. At the turn of the year 2022 to 2023, 20 permanent and freelance employees were trained and certified as "SDG scouts" in a two-day workshop, supported by Engagement Global.

www.engagement-global.de

Plant-for-the-Planet

The foundation was established in 2011 by Felix Finkbeiner and his father Frithjof Finkbeiner. The two have set themselves the goal of raising awareness of climate change and global justice among children and adults. Planting trees directly counteracts global warming.

To this end, they produce a high-quality chocolate, "Die Gute Schokolade", the sale of which also supports tree planting.

Through events, Plant-for-the-Planet tries to raise awareness of the ecological and social consequences of climate change. The Chocolate Museum supports these measures with joint events. The Chocolate Museum and Plant-for-the-Planet work closely together in the field of education. During the annual Sustainability Week at the Chocolate Museum, regular workshops and lectures are held on topics relating to global justice and the impact of tree planting campaigns. There are also regular academies where children between the ages of 9 and 12 are trained as climate ambassadors. The Chocolate Museum has already hosted these inspiring events several times.

Last but not least, visitors to the Chocolate Museum support the tree planting activities of Plant-for-the-Planet by donating money to the "Climate Chocolate Tree".

www.plant-for-the-planet.org

Südwind Institute

Together with the Südwind Institute and the GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation), the Chocolate Museum organizes an annual conference on the topic of sustainability in cocoa cultivation. The Chocolate Museum has already hosted this conference six times, including in 2023 with the topic "Sustainable cocoa supply chain in times of crisis - how can it succeed?". The SÜDWIND Institute is committed to economic and social justice worldwide. It researches and analyzes global issues such as humane working conditions, fair trade structures, sustainable development and the impact of corporate activities on people and the environment. A particular focus is on living and working conditions in countries of the Global South. SÜDWIND publishes studies, organizes events and campaigns for political change in order to strengthen the rights of disadvantaged groups and promote fairer global economic structures.

www.suedwind-institut.de/

GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation)

GIZ promotes sustainable development worldwide through projects in areas such as education, health, climate protection and economic development. It works on behalf of the German government and other partners to develop solutions to global challenges, particularly in developing countries. The aim is to improve living conditions and create sustainable structures.

www.giz.de/de/html/index.html

In conclusion, 2023 was a step towards greater sustainability and climate protection for the Chocolate Museum Cologne. Through extensive renovation measures, the integration of education for sustainable development and our commitment to climate neutrality, we are making an important contribution to the global sustainability movement. We would like to thank all visitors and partners who have supported us on this journey.

Together, we are committed to not only telling the story of cocoa, but also to making the future more sustainable. We look forward to the coming years and the continuous development of our sustainability goals.

Appendix

The 2023 Sustainable Development Report is published on the Chocolate Museum website and can be downloaded free of charge.