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Data and code from: False reporting undermines the integrity of supply chain sustainability initiatives

Cammelli, Federico1; Six, Johan1; Garrett, Rachael2

Published Aug 04, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.v9s4mw77q

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Abstract

The supply chains of agricultural commodities are major drivers of tropical deforestation and forest degradation. Sustainability standards are fundamental to improve sustainability in these supply chains, but they rely on field data collected by actors who may benefit from favorable outcomes—creating potential for collusion. This study is the first to quantify such collusion and test a design to reduce it. We study a tree planting program for cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire and find that collusion between farmers and data collectors occurs in 25% of field verification reports. A randomized controlled trial shows that withholding information about the compliance threshold reduces collusion to 11%. These findings highlight that monitoring and traceability alone are insufficient to detect compliance unless reporting accuracy is also ensured. Improving reporting accuracy, while supporting farmers, is key to ensuring both the effectiveness and equity of sustainability standards, including the EU Deforestation Regulation.