Implementing zero-deforestation business models in cocoa and palm oil in the Peruvian Amazon

Climate Focus is implementing a project to develop zero-deforestation business models for the cocoa and palm oil value chains in Ucayali, in the Amazon rainforest in Peru, working hand-in-hand with small-producer associations to help provide more sustainable agricultural commodities to national and international markets.

The pilot project, carried out in partnership with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), helps support the Joint Declaration of Interest signed by the Governments of Peru, Norway and Germany to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Peru, and support the country in achieving its goals for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Public-private coalitions reduce the pressure of agriculture on forests

The Peruvian government promotes public-private coalitions to facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices in prioritized production systems, to increase productivity on already deforested land and reduce the pressure of agriculture on existing forests. The project aims to convert challenges into opportunities and highlight the added value of zero-deforestation products amongst the various actors along these value chains. It supports farmers to implement best practices while improving yields, and discourages the expansion of the agricultural frontier into the Amazon forest.

The four main project components are: 

1. Characterizing and analyzing the value chains in the Ucayali region, including their carbon impact assessment.
2. Designing zero-deforestation strategies for cacao and palm oil value chains
3. Designing and integrating of zero-deforestation components into existing agricultural business models, including traceability and monitoring systems
4. Capacity building and dissemination to achieve replicability.

This project is supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).