First cocoa plantations with Gold Standard label – step towards climate neutral agroforestry

BONN, Germany - April 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Climate smart cacao production – a perfect match, proves ForestFinest Consulting eG. The team of land use experts has brought the first cocoa plantations to a successful carbon certification and to the generation of high-quality carbon credits. A world premiere: up to now, this is the first agroforestry project worldwide meeting the high criteria of the renowned Gold Standard for land use and forestry projects. The project is therefore a big step forward to fostering climate neutral production and the commercialization of products such as cacao, coffee or bananas, which can be sustainably grown in agroforestry systems.

Sustainable agroforestry for a better environment

120 hectares of cocoa agroforestry areas were successfully added to the existing carbon project “CO2OL Tropical Mix” in Panama. The certification procedure has been managed by the experienced team of the ForestFinest Consulting eG. The project is owned by the ForestFinance Group and aims at the reforestation of fallow land with mainly local tree species and its transformation into areas with mixed forests and sustainable agroforestry systems. The cocoa areas are partly covered with trees that provide shade to the light-sensitive cocoa plants. Both cocoa and native trees are certified. Besides ecological benefits such as biodiversity conservation, erosion control and water protection, the project also offers social benefits ranging from long-term social employment and the improvement of living standards to the support of local communities, providing  know-how and further education.

Carbon credits from agroforestry – setting a benchmark

With its cocoa areas generating 130 carbon credits per hectare, amounting to a total of 15,600 credits, the project makes it possible to create climate neutral chocolate by sequestrating the carbon within its own value chain. Dirk Walterspacher, CEO ForestFinest Consulting eG, declares: “For the first time, it is possible to relish a chocolate whose carbon neutrality is immanent – not because of the additional purchase of carbon credits, but because of the certified cocoa cultivation and its positive impact on the climate: a convincing and holistic approach to climate protection!” This approach to climate neutral production and commercialization of agroforestry products may in the future also be applied to coffee, bananas or other agroforestry products.

About ForestFinest Consulting eG:

ForestFinest Consulting is a leading consultancy service provider for sustainable land use projects. Consultancy services are offered to project developers, development organizations and impact investors. With a highly qualified core team and a wide network of leading land use experts, ForestFinest Consulting assists private companies, non-governmental and public organizations in the development, implementation, management and certification of sustainable forestry, agroforestry and carbon forestry projects worldwide. ForestFinest Consulting also assists investors with the identification or conception of customized projects, due diligence, project controlling and evaluation. ForestFinest Consulting eG is a member of the ForestFinance Group and has a substantial track-record of more than 17 years.