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.
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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.
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.
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.
All resources for Forests & Biodiversity
Supporting Community Forest Management and Enterprise: Eight Lessons from Twenty Years of Global Experience
Our early experience supporting established community forest enterprises in Mesoamerica has long informed our forest strategy in other parts of the world. As our work has expanded to regions where forest rights are less secure and community forestry is a more incipient practice, we recognize the need for a holistic approach that aligns with our […]
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.
Integrated Community Forest Management Position Paper
Conserving forests is at the heart of the Rainforest Alliance’s mission. This paper outlines our principles and strategies for stopping forest degradation and supporting forest communities in vulnerable tropical regions. These include our pathway towards integrated community forest management. This approach recognizes the interdependency of local communities’ livelihoods and their natural environment, and helps create […]