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
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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.... Continue Reading
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.... Continue Reading
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.... Continue Reading
All resources for Deforestation
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.
The Deforestation Solution That Not Enough People Are Talking About
Giving indigenous communities legal title to their land has been shown to be more effective at protecting forests than declaring them national parks.
If We Are Serious about Addressing Deforestation, the Numbers Don’t Stack Up
Governments must invest far more in protecting the world's tropical forests, a key ally in warding off climate change and future pandemics.
5 Big Causes of Deforestation and How You Can Stop It
Eighty percent of land-dwelling species establish homes in forests and the biodiversity ensures global food security and helps alleviate poverty during times of crisis. So, why are we destroying what's left of the planet's forest?