Mondelez International, through its Cocoa Life sustainable sourcing programme, will partner with the governments in West Africa to minimise deforestation in the cocoa supply chain.

Under this programme, the Mondelez International has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Côte dIvoires Ministry of Environment as part of the countrys REDD+ programme to support its goal of achieving zero deforestation in cocoa production.

Cocoa Life has also signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Forestry Commission of Ghana and the UN Development Programme to set up a REDD+ partnership in Ghana.

Mondelez International National REDD+ Strategy and private sector commitment head Jean Paul Aka said: "Mondelez International, through its Cocoa Life programme, is leading the cocoa industry to engage on an approach to reduce deforestation in the cocoa supply chain in Côte dIvoire."

To identify deforestation risks and opportunities to restore forest cover in the Nawa region, the Côte dIvoires Ministry of Environment and Cocoa Life will prepare a forest protection map, a land use plan and a tracking system.

Cocoa Life will also focus on promoting good agricultural practices, which will enable farmers to boost crop productivity, adopt agroforestry systems and free up land for other crops or reforestation.

Mondelez International wellbeing sustainability and public affairs chief officer Chris McGrath said: "Cocoa farmers and community leaders in West Africa tell us climate change is already impacting their farms.

"With our investment in Cocoa Life, we have the capacity and the partnerships to help farmers become more resilient by adopting climate-smart solutions and protecting forests. These new agreements will amplify our existing work to protect the precious environment in cocoa-growing regions."