Preparations gather momentum for European Cocoa Forum
Preparations for this year’s European Cocoa Forum are fast gathering pace, with a series of discussion panels forming a major element of the event in Lisbon, Portugal.
As organisers of the conference being held between 17-19 September explained to Confectionery Production that tackling climate change issues relating to the industry, as well as reducing carbon footprints of the industry will be among core topics.
This year’s event will bring together the key players from the European cocoa and chocolate industry, high-level government officials from cocoa producing countries together with representatives of the EU and international institutions, cocoa-related organisations and civil society.
They’ll be among the 200 attendees taking an active part in wide-ranging debates on the issues that really matter for today’s and tomorrow’s cocoa and chocolate industry.
Speakers of the first panel include: Steven Retzlaff (ECA Chairman and President of Global Cocoa at Barry Callebaut), Alain-Richard Donwahi (Minister of Waters and Forests of Ivory Coast), Beatriz Yordi (Director, EU Commission, DG CLIMA), Soetanto Abdoellah (Chairman, Indonesian Cocoa Board), Renat Heuberger (CEO, South Pole) and Emily Black (Professor, University of Reading).
The Forum also offers delegates a rich mix of social activities, giving you plenty of room for networking. There will also be a tasting sessions, workshops and a social programme culminating with a gala dinner.
Among the core subject areas are:
• How will the EU 2030 goals for building a low carbon economy impact the way in which the European cocoa industry operates?
• How can we better use the EU tools related to the Emissions Trading System, the Product Environmental Footprint and the Life Cycle Assessment?
• How to adapt business operations and supply chain practices to be prepared for tomorrow’s changes?
• What is the business case for climate actions, and what are the key remediation actions to take to best address the identified climate risks and opportunities?
• How to better understand the complex interactions between cocoa cultivation, climate change and the hydrological cycle?
• How can the industry work together with the EU and cocoa producing authorities to improve soil quality and limit the adverse effects of climate change?
• What is the Indonesian strategy to protect and safeguard cocoa production?
For more information on the event, visit www.eurococoa.com to find out more and to register.
