
What's at Stake
Droughts. Floods. Shorter growing seasons. Economic insecurity. Famine. For farmers and forest communities around the world, climate change poses daunting challenges—and disproportionately impacts poor rural communities who depend on the land to live. In today’s hyper-connected world, fighting climate change and building resilience to its impacts is urgent for us all.

Forests, Agriculture, and Climate
Almost a quarter of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, forestry, and other land use—with the main culprits being deforestation and forest degradation, along with livestock, poor soil management, and fertilizer application. Agriculture drives an estimated 75 percent of deforestation.
Our Impact
Research shows that certified farmers implement more sustainable practices that can help them adapt to and prepare for climate impacts. These practices can improve soil quality, conserve water, increase native vegetation and carbon storage—and all while increasing productivity on existing farmland.
More Trees and Ground Cover Mean More Carbon Stored
150 Tons of Carbon
per hectare stored in trees on Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee farms in Nicaragua, compared to 82 tons per hectare on non-certified farms*
These coffee farms in Nicaragua boast a high basal area, which means there is a considerable number of large and old trees, as well as a high percentage of ground cover—all of which increases carbon storage. Ground cover also provides wildlife habitat and helps control soil erosion.
*Based on the following study: Haggar, J., G. Soto, F. Casanoves, and E. de Melo Virginio (2017). Environmental-economic benefits and trade-offs on sustainably certified coffee farms. Ecological Indicators, 79: 330-337.
Shade Trees for Climate Resilience
20 Shade Trees Per Hectare
on Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa farms in Ghana, compared to 4-5 shade trees per hectare on non-certified farms*
Certain crops like cocoa and coffee grow beautifully under the shade of larger trees, which are key to climate-smart farming, in part because they help to stabilize temperature and moisture. These certified farms in Ghana increased the number of native trees over a five-year period to achieve 40 percent shade cover, while their non-certified counterparts tended to remove trees.
*Based on the following study Fenger NA, Bosselmann AS, Asare R, de Neergaard A. (2017). The impact of certification on the natural and financial capitals of Ghanaian cocoa farmers. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 41(2), 143-166. DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2016.1258606.
Our Work: Climate
The Rainforest Alliance has long worked to conserve tropical forests—a vital defense against climate change—by partnering with forest communities on improved land management practices. We also train farmers in climate-smart agriculture methods, helping them to adapt to current climate impacts and prepare for future challenges. All our work focuses on protecting forests and land in ways that strengthen local livelihoods.


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Media Coverage
World Rainforest Day: Five UK favourite foods ‘under threat from climate crisis and deforestation’
The Rainforest Alliance says climate change and deforestation threaten the supply of key raw ingredients for some of Britain’s favourite foods.
Annual Report
2021 Annual Report: We Grow Together
Explore the Rainforest Alliance 2021 Annual Report! Inside you’ll meet the farmers, forest communities, businesses, and individuals who are working with us to create a world where people and nature
View: 2021 Annual Report: We Grow Together
Topics: ImpactsIn the Field
Our Integrated Pest Management & Pesticide Approach
What can be done to reduce this reliance on pesticides and the negative consequences of pesticide use? A practical and cost-effective answer is integrated pest management (IPM).[Read more...]
Topics: CertificationPesticides
Media Coverage
Rainforest Alliance embarks on plans to rehabilitate Mt. Kenya forest ecosystem
The organization seeks to train over 50,000 farmers in Embu County on ways to preserve and better manage their resources to collectively protect Mount Kenya’s biodiversity reservoir.
Announcing The Business Case for Collective Landscape Action Initiative
The Business Case for Collective Landscape Action Initiative will set out to reduce commodity-driven deforestation, contribute to global climate and biodiversity goals, and drive new investment in inclusive development across some of the world’s most important tropical landscapes.[Read more...]
Media Coverage
How to make our beloved ‘cuppa’ more enjoyable despite the challenges it faces
Here’s what tea lovers can do to help drive positive change and make tea more sustainable. Registration (for free) is required to read the article.
Topics: Tea