The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), in partnership with environmental experts Quantis, has introduced the first-ever greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting standard tailored specifically for the cocoa sector. This new framework provides cocoa producers with a clear, consistent way to measure, report, and reduce carbon emissions across their complex supply chains—spanning millions of smallholder farmers in West Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Until now, inconsistent data made it difficult for the industry to set credible climate targets or track progress. By aligning with global initiatives such as the GHG Protocol and the Science Based Targets Initiative, this standard offers a vital tool to enhance transparency and accountability in the cocoa industry’s efforts to combat climate change. Currently, cocoa farming contributes approximately 22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually, much of it from land use changes and farming practices.
The urgency for this standard comes as climate change increasingly threatens cocoa production, with rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and pest outbreaks putting at risk the livelihoods of over 5 million farmers worldwide. Without better emissions management, these challenges could intensify environmental damage and economic instability across the $100 billion global cocoa market. The new methodology provides detailed guidance on assessing emissions from land use, farming methods, and carbon sequestration, helping companies adopt sustainable solutions such as agroforestry and improved land management. It also supports compliance with Scope 3 emissions reporting and opens pathways to climate finance. By embracing this standard, the cocoa sector aims to cut its emissions significantly over the next decade, safeguard ecosystems, and secure a resilient future for farmers and the global supply chain. More