Basis of preparation

The purpose of the Lindt & Sprüngli Sustainability Report is to provide an update on the Group’s progress towards its sustainability targets and commitments, as set out in the Lindt & Sprüngli Sustainability Plan. It is published annually and available in an online and PDF version via the Lindt & Sprüngli corporate website. The report is intended for all Lindt & Sprüngli stakeholders. With the Sustainability Report 2023, Lindt & Sprüngli is reporting on its sustainability commitments and progress for the fourteenth time.

Reporting regulation and frameworks applied

The Sustainability Report 2023 has been prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards 2021 (see GRI content index). In addition, we have applied the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards for some of the disclosures (see indication in comment column in GRI content index) as well as internally developed reporting criteria (see Lindt & Sprüngli reporting criteria). We are also sharing our progress against our longstanding commitment to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Information on other voluntary standards applied can be found in the individual chapters.

The Appendix of the Sustainability Report 2023 contains reference tables showing where to find content based on the non-financial reporting requirements under the Swiss Code of Obligations (Swiss CO), the GRI Standards 2021, as well as SASB Standards and internally developed reporting criteria.

For the first time, Lindt & Sprüngli is obliged to publish such a report to fulfill the reporting requirements regarding non-financial matters under the Swiss CO. Hence, the Lindt & Sprüngli Sustainability Report 2023 is prepared in accordance with article 964b of the Swiss CO. The Disclosures in accordance with Art. 964b Swiss Code of Obligations in the Appendix provide an overview of the material non-financial matters mentioned in article 964b of the Swiss CO.

As well as the new law on transparency on non-financial matters, the Ordinance on Due Diligence and Transparency in relation to Minerals and Metals from Conflict-Affected Areas and Child Labor (DDTrO) came into force in January 2022. In 2023, our assessment of imported volumes of minerals and metals containing tin, tantalum, tungsten, or gold (referred to as 3TG) did not identify any relevant imports above the de minimis amounts mentioned in the Swiss CO Ordinance. Therefore, no additional due diligence in relation to Minerals and Metals from Conflict-Affected Areas is required in accordance with Swiss CO article 964j. With regard to child labor, Lindt & Sprüngli is subject to due diligence requirements in accordance with the Swiss CO. The respective disclosures are available in the Child labor section in the Business integrity and human rights chapter of this report.

Reporting outlook

For further information on the reporting requirements under the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in the Swiss CO, applicable as of 2024, see our TCFD Outlook in the Climate chapter.

The new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will apply to various Lindt & Sprüngli subsidiaries from the 2025 financial year. This is why we will publish our first Sustainability Report applying the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) as of the 2025 financial year, with the first mandatory reporting being in 2026. As a consequence of the CSRD, the EU Taxonomy duties and reporting requirements will also be applicable to Lindt & Sprüngli. We started working on the implementation of both regulations in 2023 to comply with the reporting requirements applicable as of the financial year 2025.

Reporting period

Unless otherwise stated, all information in this report relates to the financial year 2023 (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023), or to the reporting date of December 31, 2023. The reporting period for the Farming Program is based on the cocoa reporting year, running from October 2022 to September 2023.

The Sustainability Report is published annually. Lindt & Sprüngli plans to maintain its annual disclosure and will next report on its sustainability performance for the 2024 financial year in the first quarter of 2025. The 2023 Report is published in English only and was released on March 5, 2024.

Reporting scope

Unless otherwise stated, the scope of the information published covers the Lindt & Sprüngli Group, as in the consolidated financial reporting (see Annual Report 2023, Note 1 Organization, Business Activities and Lindt & Sprüngli Group Companies). Details on the scope of our key performance indicators (KPIs) can also be found in the Appendix under Lindt & Sprüngli reporting criteria. As disclosed in note 2 “Changes in the Consolidation Scope and Non-Controlling Interests” of the Consolidated Financial Statements, two new entities were founded in 2023: Lindt & Sprüngli Supply Chain (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Lindt & Sprüngli (Chile) SpA. Both of these entities were only founded in December 2023, and thus had no business activities in 2023. Therefore, there was no impact of the two new entities on the sustainability figures disclosed within this report.

The Sustainability Report 2023 has been prepared with regard to the principle of materiality in terms of the issues addressed and the expectations of the various stakeholders. Lindt & Sprüngli carried out a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) in 2022. The results of this assessment form the basis of Lindt & Sprüngli’s reporting in the Sustainability Report 2023. Based on the definition of Swiss CO article 964b paragraph 1, Lindt & Sprüngli has defined all topics that are material from an impact and financial perspective (upper right quadrant of the DMA matrix, see Materiality Matrix) to be Swiss CO relevant. 

As part of the ongoing increase in the depth and scope of information on various material topics, we have introduced new data points and KPIs. Where available, we have also collected the respective data retrospectively for the previous reporting period (financial year 2022).

Data collection and methodologies

An overview of definitions and methodologies for KPIs that have been defined by Lindt & Sprüngli and disclosed in the Sustainability Report 2023 is available in the Lindt & Sprüngli reporting criteria overview as well as the Glossary in the Appendix. For all GRI or SASB KPIs, we have referred to the definitions and requirements defined in the respective standards. In case of deviations, this is indicated in the comment column of the GRI table.

Some figures have been rounded, while some percentages have been calculated on the basis of rounded numbers. Selected KPIs were removed from reporting and new KPIs will be designed in future years.

For Farming Program data, we rely on data and reports provided by our suppliers who implement sustainability programs in the field with support from Lindt & Sprüngli and/or Farming Program co-funders. Should a supplier’s data quality be deemed insufficient, it may be excluded from the total figures reported externally. Additionally, metrics based on supplier data, reports or estimations may be rounded for external reporting.

Lindt & Sprüngli’s corporate carbon accounting (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) follows the reporting guidelines of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and GRI 305. The Corporate Carbon Footprint Methodology of Lindt & Sprüngli can be found on our corporate website.

Estimated data

Climate and water data for 2023 (see KPI table Climate and KPI table Water) is based on actuals for January to September and estimates for October to December. In certain individual sub-indicators, actuals for January to August or January to July may have been used, with estimates for the remaining months. Actuals will be published in our Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Report and the 2024 Sustainability Report and any significant deviations will be restated. 2022 data reflects actuals. The CDP Report is made available on our corporate website following publication by CDP.

All other data is based on full year actuals.

Restatement of information

In 2023, Lindt & Sprüngli approved a new restatement policy. In accordance with this policy, individual data points had to be restated in various areas. The reasons for the restatements are provided as footnotes to the corresponding data points in the relevant sections of the KPI tables (see section on Key Performance Indicators).

Internal review and approval

This Sustainability Report 2023 was prepared by the relevant subject matter experts, reviewed by the CEO and Executive Sustainability Committee of Group Management, and approved by the Board of Directors.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements and illustrations contained in the Sustainability Report 2023 are forward-looking (including as to objectives, targets, plans, and trends).These statements can be identified by the use of the words “aim,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook,” “forecast” and other expressions that indicate future events and trends. Forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Lindt & Sprüngli regarding future events and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or developments. Further, actual results or other developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of such statement. Lindt & Sprüngli does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

External audit

Independent limited assurance is provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Zurich (PwC CH) on the selected performance indicators outlined in the limited assurance statement which can be found on pages 150–154 of the pdf version of our Sustainability Report. Limited assurance over those KPIs assured by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Zurich (PwC CH) are marked in the report with a tick.

Photography and picture credits

Landing page: 5fifty production; foreword: Christian Beutler-Keystone; at a glance and dashboard: Axel Fassio, Chris Orwig Photography, Christian Beutler-Keystone; business model: Maurice Haas; purpose pillars: Axel Fassio, Chris Orwig Photography, Lindt & Sprüngli archive
Business model: Axel Fassio, Ken Twist Photography, Maurice Haas, Lindt & Sprüngli archive
Strategy and governance (pdf): Axel Fassio
Business integrity and human rights: Axel Fassio; Business integrity: Ondrej Kolacek
Improving livelihoods: Axel Fassio; Responsible sourcing: Axel Fassio; Martin Schmitter; Rural development: Axel Fassio
Contributing to an intact environment: Axel Fassio; Biodiversity and ecosystems: Axel Fassio; Climate: 5fifty production; Axel Fassio; Maurice Haas; Martina Basista; Ken Twist Photography; Water and waste: Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG; Thins; Packaging: Nutshell
Performing together: Chris Orwig Photography; Enabling and motivating working environment: Chris Orwig Photography; VJii Productions; Lindt & Sprüngli archive
Delighting consumers: Krentz Photography; Product quality and product safety: Maurice Haas; Transparent and responsible communication: Lindt & Sprüngli archive
Video clips with Lindt & Sprüngli sustainability experts: Nutshell

Contact for questions regarding sustainability reporting

Please address your questions and comments to media@lindt.com.