Climate

Resilience and nature-based solutions

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.

Learn more about...

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.

All resources for Climate

Filter by:
Article

The Indigenous Roots of Regenerative Agriculture 

While a new wave of enthusiasm has crested in recent years, regenerative agriculture is an ancient concept that originated with Indigenous peoples around the world more than a thousand years ago.

Annual Report

2022 Annual Report: We’re all in.

Dive into our 2022 Annual Report—and discover the extraordinary people and places at the heart of our global mission. We’re all in. Are you?... View more


Available in: English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese

Article

It’s Time to Ban Paraquat, Farming’s Deadly Weedkiller

The vibrant food we eat is all thanks to farmworkers and the land. And yet, conventional agriculture—with its dependence on toxic chemicals—often comes at the expense of both. That’s why the Rainforest Alliance is campaigning to ban paraquat, one of the world’s most dangerous weedkillers.  

Organizational Updates

Rainforest Alliance Vision 2030

Connected crises threaten our future—from the climate emergency and spiraling biodiversity loss to chronic rural poverty and human rights challenges. We need a systemic approach—a transformative... View more


Available in: English, Spanish, Indonesian, Portuguese, French, German

Videos

Why Do We Need Rainforests?

No matter where you live, you need rainforests. Why? They help purify the air we breathe. They send vapor into the air, making it rain—not just locally but thousands of miles away. Rainforests are great allies in the fight to slow climate change, too, as they absorb vast quantities of human-made carbon emissions. Rainforest plants provide the basis for medicines that treat everything from toothaches to childhood leukemia. Rainforests are also home to millions of Indigenous and local peoples who live in harmony with nature.