Earthworm Foundation Africa’s Post

We are proud to partner with Earthworm Foundation, OIPR - Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves, Nestlé, SECO Economic Cooperation and Development , Touton SA, and COCOASOURCE to protect and regenerate the Cavally Forest in Côte d'Ivoire. This collaboration strongly aligns with our approach to EUDR, as forest protection is an underpinning element in our compliance strategy. It also supports our Forever Chocolate commitment to achieving a forest-positive supply chain by 2025 and net zero emissions by 2050. The Cavally Forest is a vast expanse of 67,500 hectares located in western Côte d'Ivoire. It is one of the largest remaining forest blocks in West Africa, a biodiversity hotspot, and renowned for its exceptional and endemic wildlife species. Phase 2 of this critical project will focus on preventing deforestation in this vital ecosystem, supporting local cocoa farmers, and improving the lives of children in the Cavally communities. We are dedicated to making a lasting, positive impact on the environment and communities in the region. #BarryCallebaut #CavallyForest #ForeverChocolate #ThrivingNature #EUDR

Last week WWF-UK hosted an at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, with colleagues from WWF PNG to discuss 'Securing Deforestation Free Palm Oil with Smallholders in Papua New Guinea'. I had the opportunity to introduce colleagues from WWF PNG and the ongoing work WWF has been supporting relating to timber and palm oil. Nicola Brennan provided an overview of how scoping work has been supported by Tesco, and a call to action for retailers, and Tom Hollick shared insight on exploring opportunities to look beyond certification, and Tesco's experience in sustainable sourcing of forest risk commodities. We had insight from Paul Siune a palm oil smallholder grower from West New Britain, Kenn Mondiai - Timber lead WWF PNG, and Stephannie Sawong - Policy Lead WWF PNG on the economic, social and environmental issues and the importance of stronger governance, sustainable practices and inclusive policies remains an ongoing challenge for responsibly developing PNG's palm oil sector. PNG has one of the largest remaining areas of rain forest in the Asia-Pacific region, and is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, both in terms of species richness and species found nowhere else. One of key risks is the PNG government plans to significantly expand the country's palm oil sector in the coming years, though details on specific targets and timelines are unclear, estimates suggest it could be an expansion of up to 1 million hectares. Supporting interventions that develop PNG's natural resources more sustainably through stronger environmental safeguards and community involvement is crucial for the country's long-term prosperity and ecological integrity. #sustainablepalmoil #PNG #sustainabledevelopment #westnewbritain

📢 Supporting sustainable clean water supply 💧 in Cambodia The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through its flagship development program, the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), is collaborating with the government, private water operators and development partners to increase access to climate resilient clean water supply for rural Cambodians. People around Boeung Snae in Prey Veng province rely on its water for household use, farming, fishing and tourism. In recent years, the lake has come under increasing pressure from human activities and climate change, leading to water shortages for the community. CAPRED has supported storage ponds and a water treatment facility to ensure an inclusive and sustainable clean water supply, while preserving the biodiversity in and around the Boeung Snae protected wetland area. 👉 Watch this video to learn more about Australia’s intervention in sustainable clean water supply in Prey Veng. #CAPRED is funded by the Australian Government and implemented by Cowater International 👉 Learn more about CAPRED: https://t.me/capredprogram

Did You Know? Since 2017, the #CocoaAndForests Initiative, involving the governments of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and 36 major cocoa and chocolate companies, has been at the forefront of addressing deforestation in the cocoa sector. Their collaborative efforts have been pivotal in promoting forest protection, sustainable production, and social inclusion. In 2023, the first phase of the Initiative's Landscape Approach for the two countries was unveiled at @COP28. Collaborating with entities like Proforest and the Ghana Forestry Commission, CFI has facilitated comprehensive baseline assessments and the development of a landscape management plan. This plan aims to eliminate cocoa-driven deforestation and restore degraded forests, aligning with the goals of the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program. Learn more about this initiative here: https://lnkd.in/gMaMSD4 and join the discussion on further actions for sustainable cocoa and reforestation at #WCFPM2024 📅 Event Date: Feb 6-7 🌐 Event Location: Port of Amsterdam ➡️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gq9ZVrWH IDH #SustainableCocoa

"Easing transmission of price premiums to coffee farmers will increase the supply of sustainably grown coffee, improve coffee farmers’ livelihoods, and attain environmental sustainability goals within the coffee supply chain." 🌱☕ Read our paper for some insights on coffee certifications in Tanzania! 🇹🇿 Explore the dynamics, challenges, and impacts on livelihoods and environmental conservation. 📊🌍 Read it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5AksTWW 🌳

Is tree planting always a sustainable initiative? 🌳 I recently discussed this topic with Andrew Hunt, and we came to three conclusions: 🌿 Don't neglect the giants Older trees store significantly more carbon than young forests. Therefore, preserving existing mature forests has a more profound effect on slowing global warming than new tree planting campaigns. For instance, VERDE - Associação para a Conservação Integrada da Natureza in Portugal does an excellent job of conserving our old giant trees. 🌱 Consider the species and diversity of the forest A 2021 study of 174 tree-planting organizations in 74 countries showed that most plant only a few types of trees to help landowners produce food, timber, or firewood. This approach may provide short-term benefits to rural communities, but it's less likely to boost biodiversity or maximize carbon storage to combat climate change. Collaborating with experts and local communities is vital to encourage wildlife and biodiversity and prevent monoculture, which can result in sterile landscapes. 🧑🏼🌾 Involve the local community Local people have strong ties to the forests in their traditional territories and have developed sustainable management practices. They hold ecological knowledge that's been passed down through generations and understand the intricate relationships between various forest species. It ensures a thriving relationship between people and forests, benefiting conservation, social, and economic aspects. #TreePlanting #Reforestation #ClimateAction

Following from our previous post and in celebration of #WorldEnvironmentDay, we are proud to highlight the Cavally Forest Reforestation and Protection Landscape project, a key initiative we've been involved in since last year. Initiated by the Société de Développement des Forêts Ivoiriennes (#SODEFOR) and the Ministry of Water and Forests (#MINEF) together with Earthworm Foundation and Nestlé in 2020, this project aims to protect the Cavally Forest Reserve while supporting the surrounding communities to become more resilient and engage in efforts to conserve and restore biodiversity. As members of the #CocoaandForestsInitiative, we are committed to continuing our efforts to protect forests, particularly in cocoa-producing countries. The Cavally Project has been working closely with local communities in outlying areas to improve their resilience and create the right conditions for them to take ownership of forest conservation. During the official launch of Phase 2 in June 2023, Joseph Larrose, Deputy Managing Director of the Touton Group, explained why engaging in major landscape projects goes beyond CSR commitments and makes business sense for trading companies: "As a major cocoa supply chain manager in Ivory Coast, our sustainability teams are already working hand in hand with producers and communities to build sustainable value chains. Previous experiences have proven that landscape approaches are an effective way to create healthy ecosystems for cocoa, coffee, and exotic ingredients to grow. When forests are under threat, it is the very heart of our business that is at stake.” Want to learn more about the Cavally Landscape? Check out our interview with the Africa Regional Director of Earthworm Foundation in our latest CFI report: https://bit.ly/3X744CJ #CocoaAndForestsInitiative #CavallyForestLandscapeProject #ForestProtectionAndRestoration

Each year the #CocoaAndForests Initiative reports on progress in halting cocoa-related deforestation, read more on the 2022 work and the current priorities for 2023 and beyond ⤵

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT: OUR CARBON CREDIT PARTNERSHIPS Sepik Wetlands & Peatland Limited is dedicated to creating a sustainable future through impactful carbon credit partnerships in Papua New Guinea. By preserving the unique biodiversity of the Sepik wetlands and peatlands, we work alongside local communities to protect these critical ecosystems. Our initiatives focus on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing natural carbon sinks, providing both environmental and socio-economic benefits. We partner with global organizations to generate verified carbon credits, ensuring that our projects adhere to the highest standards of sustainability and ethical practices. Together, we are fostering a greener, more resilient planet while supporting local livelihoods. #SustainableFuture #CarbonCredits #EnvironmentalStewardship