Why Cocoa Needs a Carbon Standard

Cocoa production faces increasing expectations to reduce emissions while supporting farmer livelihoods. Until recently, companies lacked a sector-specific approach to carbon accounting, making it difficult to compare data or demonstrate real progress. WCF’s Carbon Strategy addresses this gap with a standardised, science-based methodology designed specifically for cocoa supply chains.

Learn more about our carbon methodology

"Transparent and consistent reporting is essential for sustainable chocolate to become the norm. With its unique convening role, WCF’s Carbon Strategy unites the sector behind a single credible approach to climate accountability."

Chris Vincent

President, World Cocoa Foundation

How the Cocoa Carbon Standard Works

The Cocoa Carbon Accounting Standard provides a unified framework for measuring emissions, removals and land-use impacts across the value chain. It enables companies to:

Report Scope 3 emissions aligned with SBTi and the GHG Protocol
Account consistently for land-use change, agroforestry and carbon removals
Identify opportunities for decarbonisation and landscape restoration

Strengthen climate reporting with verified, comparable data

How the Standard Drives Climate Progress

The Carbon Strategy forms part of WCF’s Assurance & Standards Leadership pillar, helping companies meet regulatory expectations while delivering measurable sustainability outcomes. By establishing a clear, common standard, WCF supports companies to:

Strengthen regulatory readiness
Demonstrate progress toward climate and deforestation goals
Integrate carbon data into broader sustainability reporting

Access the Cocoa Carbon Accounting Standard

What sets this standard apart

Cocoa-specific – Tailored to smallholder production systems and high-forest-risk landscapes
Collaborative – Developed with industry, technical experts and governments
Aligned – Compatible with international guidelines and national climate frameworks
Credible – Based on transparent data and independently validated methodologies

What Comes Next for Cocoa Climate Action

WCF will continue refining the methodology as new science, datasets and guidance emerge. Future work will expand toward biodiversity and nature-positive accounting, linking climate action with ecosystem restoration and farmer resilience.

Download the GHG accounting manual for cocoa Watch the webinar