International Conference „Cocoa Production in Times of Climate Crisis: Challenges and Solutions“

International Conference „Cocoa Production in Times of Climate Crisis: Challenges and Solutions“

Get-together and keynote speech: 31. May 2022, 7:00 -9:00 pm
Conference: 01.June 2022, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Schokoladenmuseum Köln

Global climate change already has a massive impact on cocoa production and will do so even more in the coming years. Due to their high vulnerability millions of cocoa farmers livelihoods are highly affected. Moreover, the economies of entire countries, where cocoa production is dominant, come under pressure. The ongoing deforestation and forest degradation further exacerbate climate change.

The conference discusses the challenges of climate crisis in cocoa production and adaptation and mitigation strategies. Key questions include:

  • What is the influence of climate parameters on cocoa production?
  • What seasonal and long-term effects are to be expected in the main cocoa production regions?
  • Which best practices exist for adapting the cocoa production system to climate change?

We want to discuss these questions during the conference on the 1st of June 2022. As introduction, Dr. Gainusa-Bogdan from “Climate42” and Dr. Christian Bunn “The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT” will illustrate fundamental issues concerning climate change and cocoa production. In a panel discussion and several working groups, we will provide the floor to exchange experiences amongst different companies and organizations, who already implement measures and strategies to cope with the challenges.

The Programme

31  May 2022
07.00 pm | Registration
07.30 pm | Welcoming words: Christian Unterberg-Imhoff, Managing Director, Chocolate Museum Cologne
07.35 pm | Welcoming Note
07.40 pm | Key-Note Speech
08.20 pm | Come Together with drinks and snacks

1 June 2022
08:30 am | Coffee and registration
09:00 am | Welcoming addresses (Chocolate Museum, GIZ, Südwind Institute)
09:15 am | Part 1: Challenges of climate crisis in cocoa production and Part 2: Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies –

  • Speech by Alina Dr. Gainusa-Bogdan, Climate42
  • Speech by Dr. Christian Bunn, The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
  • Short Video-sequences from cocoa farmers
  • Session Questions and Answers

10:45 am | Coffeebreak
11:15 am | Part 3: Panel Discussion

  • Representative of research
    • Christian Bunn
  • Government representative of producing country
    • Marc Daubrey, CEO, Green Invest Africa
  • Representatives of Cocoa/Chocolate companies
    • Merit Buama (Rittersport)
  • Representatives of NGO and/or producer organizations (cooperatives)
    • Obed Owusu-Addai (ECOCARE Ghana)
    • Julien Tayoro (CPR CANAAN, Côte d‘Ivoire)

12:30 pm | Part 4: Introduction of the working groups
01.00 pm | Lunch
02:00 – 03.30 pm | Working groups on Adaptation methods:

  • Cultivation practices
  • Agroforestry
  • Carbon Schemes
  • Payment for environmental services (PES)

03.30-04.00 pm | Coffee Break
04.00 pm | Presentation of the Working Groups (10-15 minutes per group)
04.45 pm | Final remarks
05.00 pm | End of the Workshop