Barry Callebaut’s FOREST RESTORATION IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE FOR SUSTAINABLE CHOCOLATE

Barry Callebaut, one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, is committed to making sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025, with a focus on being forest and carbon positive. As a major player in the chocolate industry, they aim to integrate climate action with sustainable cocoa production. Their partnership with FORLIANCE is crucial in achieving these goals. 

Barry Callebaut faced the challenge of restoring large areas of degraded land in Côte d'Ivoire. The goal was to implement a forest restoration program that would support their sustainability commitments and provide environmental, social, and climate benefits. 

FORLIANCE, together with Eticwood, supported Barry Callebaut and the local communities by conducting field assessments and handling the technical implementation of the forest restoration project. This involved restoring 300 hectares of pre-selected land, planting a minimum of 50,000 trees in the first year, and developing a site-specific approach to efficiently plant trees and support natural regeneration. Additionally, the project built local capacities and promoted the creation of seasonal jobs in local nurseries, enhancing community involvement and economic benefits 

FORLIANCE provided an in-depth analysis of the environmental, social, and climate conditions to understand on-ground realities and hidden risks. This analysis paved the way for a transparent and well-designed project implementation, ensuring alignment with internationally recognized carbon methodologies like the GS4GG A/R methodology from Gold Standard.

Barry Callebaut plans to develop additional restoration projects worldwide as part of their global reforestation campaign. Their goal is to blend climate action with sustainable cocoa production, setting a benchmark for the industry.