Transforming Value Chains in Tropical Forests: Sustainability and Equity in Cocoa, Gold, and Handicrafts

This paper examines leverage points for transformative change within biodiversity-relevant value chains, focusing on cocoa in Peru, small-scale artisanal gold mining in Ghana, and Indigenous forest-based handicrafts in Brazil. These value chains, while economically significant, are characterised by systemic challenges, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, social inequities, and unsustainable practices. Situating our analysis at the intersection of the Leverage Points Framework and commons theory, the paper explores opportunities for fostering sustainability and equity by addressing these challenges through targeted interventions. The analysis highlights actionable pathways for systemic change not only in the three case studies but also in similar contexts globally.