Our Mission to Protect the World’s Forests
We are working in 60+ countries to build sustainable, rural economies—a proven strategy to keep our forests standing.... Continue Reading
Article
What's at Stake
Forests are critical to every living thing on Earth. Not only do they give us clean air, shelter, and rain, they house 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Alarmingly, humans have destroyed half of the world’s tropical forests and driven extinction rates up thousands of times higher than what is natural.
Climate & Nature
Forests are a powerful natural climate solution. As trees grow, they absorb and store carbon emissions, while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Conserving forests could cut an estimated 7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year—the equivalent of getting rid of every car on the planet.
Our Impact
Strong Forests
0.4% deforestation rate
in the forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala*
In Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve, twelve community forestry concessions safeguard around 417,269 hectares of the largest and most important tropical forest north of the Amazon. These community-run concessions boast a near-zero deforestation rate—a remarkable feat given that adjacent areas suffer some of the highest deforestation rates in the Americas.
*Community forestry concessions in Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve have demonstrated a near-zero deforestation rate, since data collection began in 2000. Data accurate as of December 2019.
Thriving Biodiversity
45,000 trees
80 elephant-friendly farms*
From 2020 through 2021, farmers we work with in the buffer zone of Indonesia’s Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park planted 45,000 trees in the area directly bordering the park. In addition, we identified 80 farms that sit in a wildlife corridor used by the critically endangered Sumatran elephant. We supported these farmers in planting species that suit the elephants’ diet.
*Data accurate as of December 2022
Our Work: Forests & Biodiversity
Together with forest and farming communities, Indigenous leaders, companies, governments, and global citizens, the Rainforest Alliance works in 58 countries to promote more sustainable land management practices while cultivating thriving rural economies—the most widely proven strategy to restore biodiversity and keep our tropical forests standing.
The World’s Best Forest Guardians: Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples and local communities have an unsurpassed connection to the Earth's forests. ... Continue Reading
Community: The Secret to Stopping Deforestation in Guatemala
The forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve have boasted a near-zero deforestation rate for 20 years.... Continue Reading
Indonesian Coffee Farmers Help Conserve Biodiversity in Iconic National Park
We're training coffee farmers in the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park buffer zone to help them conserve biodiversity and improve their livelihoods.... Continue Reading
All resources for Forests & Biodiversity
How the Rainforest Alliance Deforestation Risk Assessment Tool Supports EUDR Compliance
In order to support your EUDR compliance efforts, the Rainforest Alliance will soon launch our Deforestation Risk Assessment Tool in September 2024. Learn all about the tool in this explainer article.... Continue Reading
Rainforest Alliance Certified Cashews: Creating a More Sustainable Cashew Sector
The Rainforest Alliance is working to make cashew farming more sustainable by addressing challenges like deforestation, poor working conditions, and low farmer incomes through certification, sustainable practices, traceability, and supply chain improvements.... Continue Reading
4 ways companies can limit deforestation now
Rainforest Alliance experts Kerry Daroci and Fanny Gauttier weigh in on the EU's proposed 12-month delay of its regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) and its implications for companies' compliance progress.
UN Biodiversity Conference COP16 – Rainforest Alliance Delegation and Events
Join us at COP16, where the Rainforest Alliance and partners will host a series of panels and side events highlighting proven solutions to halt deforestation, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. ... Continue Reading
Top deforestation drivers could dodge ‘high risk’ tag under EU benchmarking
Fanny Gauttier, Public Affairs lead at the Rainforest Alliance, comments on the delay of the anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR).
Daria Koreniushkina, Rainforest Alliance: Protecting biodiversity through EUDR compliance
Our Senior Manager Corporate Communications, Daria Koreniushkina, highlights the crucial role of businesses in addressing the climate crisis and protecting biodiversity.