Rainforest Alliance reveals progress in regenerative agriculture – Global Coffee Report

Rainforest Alliance 2024 Annual Report: Advancing Sustainable Development through Regenerative Agriculture

Overview of Rainforest Alliance Certification Program

The international non-governmental organisation Rainforest Alliance has published its 2024 Annual Report, detailing significant progress in its certification program focused on regenerative agriculture. The program supports 1.8 million coffee farmers and workers managing 1.9 million hectares across 29 countries. It also extends support to over 3 million cocoa farmers and workers across 4.6 million hectares in 23 countries.

Global Reach and Impact

• Rainforest Alliance Certified products are available in 155 countries worldwide.
• Daily consumption includes approximately 333 million cups of coffee and 96 million bars of chocolate bearing the certification seal.

Addressing Critical Global Challenges Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Rainforest Alliance certification program directly contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – By supporting farmers like Christine Karimi from Mount Kenya, who benefits from premium prices for quality coffee, the program improves livelihoods and economic stability in rural communities.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Promoting sustainable agricultural practices enhances food security and nutrition.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The program supports freshwater systems essential for agriculture and community health.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Certification encourages sustainable production methods that reduce environmental impact.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action – Regenerative agriculture practices help build climate resilience and contribute to climate change mitigation.
6. SDG 15: Life on Land – Efforts to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity address deforestation and habitat loss.

Challenges and Strategic Vision

Santiago Gowland, CEO of Rainforest Alliance, emphasized the urgency of transforming agricultural models in response to ongoing environmental crises:

“Tropical forests are still falling at an alarming rate—10 football fields a minute—and the climate crisis is accelerating, pushing our world toward a dangerous tipping point and driving unprecedented biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, many farming and forest communities still struggle daily to meet basic needs.”

He advocates for a new agricultural paradigm where every product “gives back more than it takes from the land and the people who care for it.”

Regenerative Agriculture and Community Empowerment

• Restoration of nature in critical areas through regenerative practices.
• Strengthening of rural communities by enabling farmers to thrive economically and socially.
• Building resilience to climate change impacts through sustainable land management.
• Farmer-driven evolution of the organisation’s approach, leveraging local knowledge and stewardship.

Conclusion and Further Information

The Rainforest Alliance’s 2024 Annual Report highlights the organisation’s commitment to advancing sustainable development by integrating environmental health, social equity, and economic viability within agricultural supply chains. This approach aligns closely with the global agenda set by the Sustainable Development Goals.

For detailed insights, the full report is available here.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Supporting 1.8 million coffee farmers and workers and 3 million cocoa farmers and workers helps improve livelihoods and reduce poverty in rural communities.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Promoting regenerative agriculture contributes to sustainable food production systems and improved nutrition.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Supporting freshwater systems through sustainable farming practices.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Certification programs promote sustainable production and consumption patterns.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Regenerative agriculture helps build climate resilience and regulate the global climate.
6. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Restoring nature, protecting tropical forests, and preventing biodiversity loss.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
6. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of farmers and workers supported
   • 1.8 million coffee farmers and workers, 3 million cocoa farmers and workers supported indicates progress towards poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods.
2. Land area under sustainable management
   • 1.9 million hectares for coffee and 4.6 million hectares for cocoa under regenerative agriculture practices.
3. Product availability and consumption
   • Products with Rainforest Alliance Certified seal available in 155 countries, equating to 333 million cups of coffee and 96 million bars of chocolate daily.
4. Forest loss rate
   • Reference to tropical forests falling at a rate of 10 football fields per minute highlights the urgency and can be used as an indicator of biodiversity loss and forest conservation.
5. Premium prices secured by farmers
   • Example of a certified coffee farmer securing premium prices at auction indicates economic benefits and improved livelihoods.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: gcrmag.com