Our client, a leading producer of smoothies and fruit juices, has set robust sustainability goals: achieving carbon neutrality by 2025 and net zero emissions by 2040. Recognizing that raw material sourcing is their most significant carbon contributor, they’re committed to enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and championing carbon capture practices to reduce their carbon emissions.
the challenge
Coconut plantations are vital, offering a consistent and fresh supply throughout the year which is transformed into diverse products like coconut oil, flour, and water. However, despite integrating sustainable agroforestry methods, smallholder farmers are increasingly concerned about climate change and drought impacts on their plantation yields. Such challenges not only jeopardize the farmers but also influence the consistency and quality of supplies crucial for our client’s products.
Ksapa is supporting its client in realizing an ambitious objective: significantly curbing their scope 3 emissions, predominantly influenced by raw ingredient sourcing. In this endeavor, Ksapa collaborates with an array of stakeholders with the collective aim of identifying, innovating, and implementing strategies that not only mitigate emissions but also reinforce smallholder resilience and resources.
OUR APPROACH
Ksapa and its local partners plan to carry out a scoping study to identify levers of change.
The aim of the partnership is to structure, pilot and scale a programme that will deliver multi stakeholder benefits including:
- Improve farmers’ resilience through sustainable agriculture practices for climate change and water scarcity mitigation
- Reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from coconut sourcing
- Improve soil fertility in coconut plantation through carbon sequestration
- Improve income from coconut plantation and diversify smallholder income
The scoping study will be conducted in two distinct phases:
Phase 1: Mapping of current smallholder agricultural practices and identification of levers for addressing the stated aims of the partnership.
— Lead a desk review and conduct field visits to assess:
- Available data and documentation on local practices and challenges
- Current agricultural practices and identify the typologies of plantations/farmers
- Identify main challenges from production up to selling mechanism
— Assess the social acceptance and economic performance of the current agricultural practices VS identified sustainable practices (climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices).
— Assess the implementation at medium and large scale of the selected sustainable practices.
Based on the outcomes of the assessment, a profitable and realistic technical model will be designed to deliver the identified goals.
Phase 2: Assessment of the carbon emissions reduction and sequestration potential and feasibility of the levers identified in phase 1.
- Lead a desk review to assess the current carbon footprint of coconut production system in the selected location and the carbon reduction potential related to the levers (=sustainable practices) identified in phase 1.
- Analyse past and present scope 3 related carbon initiatives in the coconut supply chain in the Philippines and other part of the world.
- Identify stakeholders and relevant funding opportunities to engage with for the development of a pilot project.
RESULTS & NEXT STEPS
Ksapa has effectively pinpointed local collaborators for the project’s initial phase and to oversee the scoping study. The insights gathered from both the desk review and field evaluation will serve as a crucial foundation and will be instrumental in crafting the most suitable model for the next phases.
