High Carbon Stock Approach and Cocoa

The High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA) has clarified its methodology for the cocoa industry to help Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) signatories implement 'no deforestation' commitments. The HCSA distinguishes tropical forests for conservation from degraded lands, explicitly stating that expanding cocoa plantations or agroforestry into identified HCS forests constitutes deforestation or degradation and is prohibited. To catalyze adoption, HCSA assessments are being trialed in Ghana and Peru, with goals to scale up indicative HCS-HCV mapping and adapt simplified toolkits for smallholder farmers.

• The High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA) is a land use planning methodology used to implement 'no deforestation' commitments by separating tropical forest areas intended for conservation from degraded lands that may be developed, while protecting local rights and livelihoods.
• Under the HCSA methodology, the expansion of agroforestry or cocoa plantations into identified or potential HCS forests is prohibited, as such activity is classified as deforestation or forest degradation.
• The HCSA integrates the identification of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, requiring that both environmental and social HCVs be maintained or improved through monitoring and management within agricultural areas.
• To promote the use of HCSA in cocoa supply chains, two specific assessment trials are being conducted in cocoa landscapes located in Ghana and Peru.

APA

Jones, S. (2020). High Carbon Stock Approach and Cocoa. Mighty Earth. https://mightyearth.org/article/high-carbon-stock-approach-and-cocoa/

Chicago

Jones, Sydney. High Carbon Stock Approach and Cocoa. Mighty Earth, 2020. https://mightyearth.org/article/high-carbon-stock-approach-and-cocoa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Jones |first1=Sydney |title=High Carbon Stock Approach and Cocoa |publisher=Mighty Earth |date=30 July 2020 |url=https://mightyearth.org/article/high-carbon-stock-approach-and-cocoa/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{jones2020high, author = {Jones, Sydney}, title = {{High Carbon Stock Approach and Cocoa}}, publisher = {Mighty Earth}, year = {2020}, month = jul, url = {https://mightyearth.org/article/high-carbon-stock-approach-and-cocoa/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }