The Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) has reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of their first phase. With support from the World Cocoa Foundation and The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), companies and governments have renewed their commitment towards eliminating deforestation and restoring forest areas.
Increasing supply chain investments to end deforestation
Building upon their partnerships and achievements over the past five years, CFI signatories have embraced CFI 2.0 (2022-2025), with a continued emphasis on increasing supply chain investments to end deforestation. To drive greater impact, this new phase places an significant focus on fostering precompetitive collective action and coinvestment to conserve forests and restore degraded lands in priority landscapes. In recent months, companies published their action plans for CFI 2.0 alongside their annual 2022 progress reports, showcasing their dedication to the next phase of the public-private collaboration.
Proactive steps taken
The company actions align with the national action plans developed for CFI 2.0 over the last year, which outline key public sector priorities, actions, and timelines (Côte d’Ivoire National Action plan (French and English), Ghana National Implementation Plan). In support of the national plans, cocoa and chocolate signatory companies are taking proactive steps in CFI 2.0 to eliminate deforestation through various strategies. They are prioritizing the creation of deforestation-free supply chains through conserving and restoring protected forests and enhancing traceability. To achieve deforestation-free landscapes, companies are actively partnering with organizations such as Rainforest Alliance, ICRAF, and CARE to implement agroforestry projects, including notable initiatives like RESTORE in Bossematie, the Hana River, and Cavally in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as RESTORE in the Swi River landscape and the Sankofa project in Ghana. All of these projects are driven by a shared mission to enhance sustainable cocoa production, protect and restore forests, and support local communities.
Company action plans for CFI 2.0 include ambitious targets such as achieving 100% traceability from the farm to the first purchase point, advancing comprehensive cocoa agroforestry practices, and expanding payment for ecosystem services models . Below are just a few key 2025 targets aggregated from individual company action plans for Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire to illustrate industry dedication towards CFI 2.0:
Read the full story here
Source and picture: WCF
