> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # ICI Says the Obvious: Disappoints Again | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 140 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/ici-says-the-obvious-disappoints-again-podsavechocolate-ep-140/ - Published: 2025-08-07T16:58:14.000Z - Updated: 2025-08-08T16:46:44.000Z - Description: Episode 140 takes a look at a recent report issued by the ICI - “Tackling child labour in cocoa: Results of ICI’s Member Reporting Exercise 2024.” What it says, and why this reporter is unconvinced. - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream **When and Where to Watch** 🗓️ The stream airs LIVE at 11:00 ****PDT/MST** (12:00 MDT, 1:00 CDT, 2:00 EDT), on Friday, August 8th, 2025. Links below to watch LIVE and to view the archived episode. Click on this (shareable) link to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe (free!) to the [@PodSaveChocolate YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@podsavechocolate/featured?ref=thechocolatelife.com), like this video, comment, and ****share** this episode to help grow the #PSC community. This ****LINKEDIN** link is shareable. [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/05/LinkedInLogo.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Flavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-childlabor-activity-7359263758222839808-AoTv?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on LinkedIn. Join my network on LinkedIn to receive notifications and to refer business to each other. [Watch this episode on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Flavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-childlabor-activity-7359263758222839808-AoTv?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) This ****FACEBOOK** link is shareab [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/05/FacebookLogo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/events/2125892287906547/) Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on ****TheChocolateLife page** on Facebook (for 30 days, then watch the archive on YouTube). Follow [TheChocolateLife on Facebook ](https://fb.me/thechocolatelife?ref=thechocolatelife.com)to receive notifications and catch up on other content. [Watch this episode on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/events/2125892287906547/) --- ## **Episode 140 Overview** Released on July 27th, is the report *Tackling child labour in cocoa: Results of ICI’s Member Reporting Exercise 2024* an example of greenwashing? From [the cover page on the ICI website](https://www.cocoainitiative.org/knowledge-hub/resources/tackling-child-labour-cocoa-results-icis-member-reporting-exercise-2024?ref=thechocolatelife.com): > Every year, ICI members report on their efforts to tackle child labour in the cocoa sector. This allows us to track progress over time, highlight areas for improvement and drive transparency in the sector. > > The results presented here are from the reporting season October 2023 – September 2024, and cover activities in four countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroun and Nigeria). **Some TL;DR, as reported in** [**Cocoa Radar**](https://cocoaradar.com/breaking-the-cycle-ici-report-exposes-root-causes-of-child-labour-and-urges-unified-action-in-cocoa-sector/?ref=thechocolatelife.com)**:** ### The Root Causes: Bey**ond the Farm** ICI’s findings emphasise a stark reality: child labour will not be eradicated without addressing its root causes. - **Low household incomes** remain a persistent driver. Despite record global cocoa prices in 2024, many farmers experienced declining yields due to disease and climate change, which limited their ability to benefit. - **High inflation**, particularly in Ghana, worsened the cost-of-living crisis. - **Limited access** to education, healthcare, and child protection services also plays a major role. ### **“Treating” Symptoms?** > “We must invest more in training local monitors,” \[⋯\] “The more capable they are, the better we can track impact and ensure no child falls through the cracks.” ### Solutions? Not surprisingly, the ***only*** actions the ICI report suggests are to do more of the same: bigger, better, and more monitoring. ***There are precisely ZERO solutions proposed to deal with any of the root causes***. ### **Why is the lack of proposed solutions a problem?** Take a look at the members and partners in ICI (we will review those in the episode). The members and partners are among the reasons why I construe the ICI report as greenwashing. --- ### **Links** [Tackling child labour in cocoa: Results of ICI’s Member Reporting Exercise 2024Every year, ICI members report on their efforts to tackle child labour in the cocoa sector. This allows us to track progress over time, highlight areas for improvement and drive transparency in the sector. The results presented here are from the reporting season October 2023 – September 2024, and cover activities in four countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroun and Nigeria).![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-8.png)ICI Cocoa Initiative![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/default_image_0.jpg)](https://www.cocoainitiative.org/knowledge-hub/resources/tackling-child-labour-cocoa-results-icis-member-reporting-exercise-2024?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [Annual reports![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-9.png)ICI Cocoa Initiative![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/DSC04220.jpg)](https://www.cocoainitiative.org/about-us/annual-reports?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [| Snack Food & Wholesale BakerySnack Food & Wholesale Bakery is your best source of production, technology and product news, ideas and solutions for a changing industry.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-152-3.png)Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/GlobalTop100_2022-2.png)](https://www.snackandbakery.com/candy-industry/2025/global-top-100-candy-companies?ref=thechocolatelife.com) --- ### **Questions?** If you have questions or want to comment, you can do so during the episode or, if you are a ChocolateLife member, you can add them in the Comments below at ***any*** time. --- ### **Episode Hashtags and Socials** #ICI #InternationalCocoaInitiative #ChildLabor #IllegalChildLabor #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **Future Episodes** 🗓️ None scheduled at the time this post was published. --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below. [Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/11/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080-5.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pod-save-chocolate-calendar-and-archive/) [#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/) [PodSaveChocolateHosted by Clay Gordon, the creator and moderator of TheChocolateLife.com, #PodSaveChocolate covers a wide variety of topics in the worlds of cocoa and chocolate. 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