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.
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Tropical forests absorb more carbon than any other kind of forest. They also provide shelter, food, and livelihoods to millions of Indigenous and local people, while housing two-thirds of the world’s biodiversity. But we are losing them at an alarming pace (mostly to agriculture): In 2019, we lost a football pitch of tropical forest every six seconds. Stopping deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics is critical to the survival of humanity.
This page features information about the Rainforest Alliance's work to stop tropical deforestation and links to all our related content and resources.
Stopping deforestation in the tropics has been at the heart of the Rainforest Alliance’s mission since its founding more than 35 years ago. Working with companies, civil society organizations, and local governments—all while centering the voices of the rural communities we partner with—we promote community forestry and regenerative agriculture throughout the tropics. Our decades of experience have demonstrated that these are the most effective strategies to keep forests standing and restore biodiversity.
Quick Links
Deforestation position paper
This paper outlines our principles and strategies for stopping deforestation (and other forms of ecosystem conversion) in vulnerable tropical regions.
Forest Allies
Learn how joining our Forest Allies community of practice will help your company have a greater impact on forests.
Seven agricultural commodities linked to deforestation
World Resources Institute (WRI) estimates the extent to which seven commodities—oil palm, soy, cattle, plantation wood fiber, cocoa, coffee, and plantation rubber—are replacing forests, and maps their impacts.
Rights-Based Conservation: The path to preserving Earth’s biological and cultural diversity?
This Rights and Resources Initiative report examines the potential of community rights-based conservation to prevent biodiversity collapse.
Our Work: Deforestation
Project Profile: Championing Community-led Landscape Management in Cameroon
Community-led landscape management is the best long-term solution to environmental and social challenges.
Project Profile: Stopping Deforestation and Advancing Sustainability in West Kalimantan
Since 2018, the Rainforest Alliance has been working in the Sintang District of West Kalimantan to promote an Integrated Landscape Management approach around oil palm and natural rubber production.
Project Profile: The Business Case for Collective Landscape Action
Through this initiative, the Rainforest Alliance will work with several organizations to address global environmental challenges associated with commodity-driven deforestation in some of the world’s most important tropical ecosystems and sourcing regions.
All resources for Deforestation
Campaigners Turn Up Heat on Supply Chain Role in Deforestation
As environmental and ethical issues rise up the agenda for companies, investors and consumers, attention is increasingly turning to companies’ supply chains and their role in causing damage to the environment and human rights.
Worsening Situation in Amazon a ‘Warning to Humanity’
Emmanuelle Berenger, lead sustainable forest manager for the Rainforest Alliance, stated that preserving forests for humanity's well-being is not an option anymore, rather it is a must.
World Leaders Must Start Seeing the Wood from the Trees – Protecting Tropical Forests Will Halt Climate Change and Future Pandemics
Scientists increasingly believe that there is one vital action that would help with pandemic prevention and the climate emergency: protecting tropical forests and wildlife.
New Approach to Palm Sustainability: Phasing Out of Palm Certification in the 2020 Program
The Rainforest Alliance is phasing out of palm certification in the 2020 Program... Continue Reading
John Lewis Pledges to Protect Tropical Forest in Indonesia from Deforestation
The Rainforest Alliance welcomes the John Lewis Partnership and its pledge to help protect standing forests, biodiversity and indigenous communities living in landscapes where palm oil is sourced.
Despite Setbacks, No-Deforestation Supply Chains Remain Crucial
To achieve emissions reduction goals in a credible manner, companies with significant land footprints must take early action to eliminate deforestation and conversion.