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
Investing in Clean Energy in Kenya’s Tea-Growing Landscapes
The Rainforest Alliance is supporting tea farmers in Kenya by developing inexpensive, accessible renewable energy sources and reducing deforestation.
Rainforest Alliance Releases Annual Reports on Progress Towards Key Sustainability and Environmental Goals
The global Rainforest Alliance has released its latest annual report, detailing projects with over two million certified farmers in over 70 countries on key social and environmental challenges including farmer livelihoods, child labour and deforestation.
To Prevent Future Pandemics ‘No Company Should Source from Recently Deforested Land’
The story reports on the rise of biodiversity on the global business agenda in the context of Covid-19 and how human health is dependent on protecting the health of the planet.
From the Antarctic to the Sahara, How Has Earth Changed in 50 Years?
This coverage resulted from an interview with Nigel Sizer about the Amazon, following a pro-active media team outreach to Vogue’s global sustainability editor. It positions Nigel and the Rainforest Alliance as an authority on the Amazon rainforest.
Deforestation and Pandemics
What is zoonosis and how is it connected to deforestation?... Continue Reading
Our New Certification Program – What to Expect
In June 2020, the Rainforest Alliance will take the first step towards “reimagining certification” with the publication of its 2020 Certification Program. We’ve been working on this new program, including a new standard for agricultural products and their supply chains, since 2018, when the Rainforest Alliance and UTZ merged.... Continue Reading