Tony’s Chocolonely urges not to delay further​ by the 2025 deadline of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The chocolate brand says the decision to delay the implementation of the regulation by 12 months brings negative consequences and additional risks to farmers’ livelihoods.

“Delaying regulatory adoption suspends progress in the fight against deforestation and the proposed delay is concerning,” says Belinda Borck, global public policy coordinator at Tony’s Chocolonely.

Research​ shows that by 2050, significant regions of West Africa, including Ghana and Ivory Coast, responsible for 60% of cocoa production, are expected to become unsuitable for manufacturing the ingredient chocolatey.

This is an expected mismatch due to climate change unless ​coping strategies​ at the crop, farm, and national and regional policy levels are being made to reverse its impact. Crop adaptation measures include choosing cocoa varieties, companion trees and crops that can withstand high maximum temperatures, drought and disease.

Research​ indicates that increasing shade to protect cocoa trees from rising dry season temperatures at the farm level can offer an effective way to diversify farmers’ income to protect against commercial and environmental risks. Agricultural and forestry policies are recommended to promote the growth of existing cocoa plantations. At the same time, climatic conditions pose an ongoing risk, as does the implementation of new cocoa plantations on formerly deforested land.