World Cocoa Foundation unveils first-ever GHG accounting standard for cocoa industry 

GLOBAL – The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has launched the first-ever greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting standard for cocoa, known as the GHG Accounting Standard Methodology.  

The initiative, developed in collaboration with environmental consultancy Quantis and key industry leaders, provides a standardized approach for measuring, reporting, and mitigating GHG emissions across the cocoa sector. 

Designed to help cocoa companies meet their Scope 3 reporting obligations, the methodology addresses key issues such as land use change, land management, carbon removals, and rebaselining.  

It enables companies to align their emissions reporting with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and supports compliance with the GHG Protocol (GHGP) Land Sector and Removals Guidance draft, as well as future regulatory requirements. 

“By aligning the cocoa sector around a best practice standard method, we are now streamlining emissions accounting,” said Michael Matarasso, Impact Director and Head of North America at WCF.  

“This will ensure that companies can report the most accurate data, support them to participate fully in climate-related programming, and deliver associated financial benefits to farmers involved in carbon projects.” 

The cocoa supply chain has long faced challenges in emissions reporting due to its complexity and diverse structure, which includes land use uncertainty, indirect supply chain issues, and inconsistent reporting despite the adoption of frameworks such as the GHGP and SBTi.  

The new methodology aims to create greater consistency in tracking emissions across the industry. 

Tilmann Silber, Head of Net Zero at Barry Callebaut, emphasized the importance of transparent reporting, stating: “Transparent and accurate reporting is essential in order for sustainable chocolate to become the norm. With its unique position to represent the industry, we welcome WCF’s new accounting standard for cocoa which, when combined with wider GHGP guidance, will move the sector towards actionable, consistent, and accurate reporting.” 

The GHG Accounting Standard Methodology adds to WCF’s existing suite of sustainability tools, including its Deforestation Risk Assessment Methodology, which helps companies assess deforestation risks for cocoa plots destined for the European Union (EU) market, and the Cocoa Household Income Study (CHIS), which provides standardized insights into cocoa household income and living conditions. 

The launch of this methodology comes at a pivotal time, as cocoa-producing nations ramp up efforts to meet the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates that commodities like cocoa, coffee, and palm oil sold in or exported to the EU must be deforestation-free.  

The regulation is set to take effect in early 2026, making standardized emissions reporting increasingly essential for the industry. 

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