World Cocoa Foundation launches new deforestation risk assessment methodology
The new methodology provides a science-based framework to improve transparency, consistency and verification in cocoa deforestation risk assessments across global supply chains.
GLOBAL – The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and a multi-stakeholder taskforce, has launched a new Active Deforestation Risk Assessment (DRA) Methodology to strengthen transparency, consistency and evidence-based decision-making across cocoa supply chains.
The framework is designed to help cocoa companies, governments and other stakeholders improve deforestation risk assessments as sustainability and due diligence requirements continue to expand globally.
Growing regulatory requirements and market expectations have increased pressure on companies and producing countries to enhance the quality and comparability of deforestation risk assessments.
However, WCF noted that existing methodologies, datasets and verification standards often differ significantly between organisations and producing regions, making it difficult to consistently evaluate the accuracy and reliability of assessment results.
To address these challenges, the new methodology introduces a structured approach that combines science-based analysis, local context, verification procedures and documented professional judgment.
Developed through a multi-stakeholder process convened by WCF and technically led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the framework incorporates input from cocoa companies, producing-country stakeholders, technical experts, compliance providers and public authorities.
The Active DRA Methodology provides step-by-step guidance covering plot data quality assurance, forest baseline definition and validation, deforestation overlay analysis, legal zoning checks, verification procedures, and mitigation and corrective actions.
It also outlines processes for assessing data quality and verifying information through multiple evidence sources where appropriate, rather than relying on a single dataset or analytical method.
According to WCF, the framework encourages stakeholders to evaluate available evidence, document assessment decisions and conduct additional verification where uncertainty exists. This approach aims to improve the transparency and explainability of deforestation risk assessments in complex cocoa-producing landscapes.
The methodology also supports more consistent monitoring and accounting of land-use change greenhouse gas emissions by strengthening forest baseline mapping, data quality procedures and verification practices.
WCF said the framework is intended to complement existing company due diligence systems, national regulations, legal requirements and local verification processes rather than replace them or guarantee regulatory compliance.
By improving verification procedures and providing clearer guidance on managing uncertainty, the methodology seeks to reduce the likelihood of decisions being based on incomplete, conflicting or low-quality evidence while strengthening confidence in assessment outcomes.
The publication forms part of WCF’s broader Regulatory Assurance and Standards workstream, which also includes initiatives focused on dataset accuracy assessments, protected area boundary assessments and land-use change greenhouse gas accounting.
WCF said the Active DRA Methodology, together with the findings of its datasets accuracy assessment and protected area boundaries assessment, will be made publicly available by August.
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