Czarnikow Group Limited (CZ) is advancing its global sustainability efforts through VIVE, a programme designed to improve transparency and reduce emissions across agricultural supply chains.
VIVE provides independent assessments, tailored action plans, emissions tracking tools, and a verified reporting system. These tools help buyers make informed decisions, monitor supplier progress, and drive measurable improvements in sustainability performance.
As part of the next phase in embedding robust sustainability standards within Japan’s supply chains, CZ is accelerating the rollout of the VIVE Sustainable Supply Programme in collaboration with Itochu Corporation. This initiative will focus on redesigning the mechanisms that connect procurement, trading, and verification for agricultural raw materials including sugar, with the objective of establishing a recognised sustainability standard in Japan.
Through this collaboration, CZ and Itochu will explore how VIVE’s suite of tools can support customers in achieving their sustainability and emissions reduction goals, improving traceability, and fostering continuous improvement.
The principles of regenerative agriculture extend beyond the farm and must be embedded throughout the entire supply chain. The effectiveness of sustainability is not solely dependent on cultivation practices, but also on its integration into logistics and trading systems. Scalable sustainability is driven by collaboration, and credible efforts must evolve beyond niche applications to become a shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
This approach is expected to stimulate demand for responsibly sourced sugar and other commodities. With growing interest in ESG and transparent sourcing, the timing is ideal to amplify impact. This collaboration represents more than a working arrangement—it serves as a blueprint for generating scalable, meaningful change.
Sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern; it is becoming central to the future of trade. By combining VIVE’s framework, CZ’s design expertise, and Itochu’s extensive network, the two organisations aim to establish a new standard for agricultural commodity trading in Japan.
