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

Introduction

The Rainforest Alliance’s 2024 annual report highlights a pivotal shift in agricultural practices aimed at promoting sustainability and resilience across multiple sectors. Supporting nearly 8 million farmers managing over 6 million hectares of certified farmland in 62 countries, the organization emphasizes regenerative agriculture as a transformative approach. This approach aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), by restoring ecosystems and improving rural livelihoods.

A State of Urgency

Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance, stresses the urgent need to transition to regenerative agriculture in response to alarming deforestation rates and climate change impacts. Tropical forests, critical carbon sinks and biodiversity reservoirs, continue to be lost at a rate of ten football fields per minute. Approximately 500 million people live near these forests, with 80% in poverty, underscoring the importance of sustainable agricultural practices for both environmental health and community well-being.

Impact on Key Agricultural Sectors

The report details the significant influence of Rainforest Alliance certification across vital agricultural sectors, which are integral to the food and beverage industry and contribute to several SDGs including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 15 (Life on Land):

• Coffee: 1.8 million farmers across 1.9 million hectares in 29 countries, focusing on quality improvement and market access.
• Cocoa: Over 3 million farmers managing 4.6 million hectares in 23 countries, addressing child labour and sustainability challenges.
• Tea: 2.4 million farmers across 1.4 million hectares in 22 countries, emphasizing fair trade and environmental stewardship.
• Bananas: More than 158,000 farmers on 213,000 hectares in 19 countries, promoting sustainable production amid growing consumer scrutiny.

Powering Communities through Regenerative Practices

The report highlights the socio-economic benefits of regenerative agriculture, contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):

1. In the Mount Kenya landscape, over 34,000 certified farmers adopted regenerative practices in 2024, resulting in the planting of over 106,000 trees and restoration of 106 hectares of degraded land.
2. This initiative created 202 jobs, with 64% allocated to women and youth, fostering economic resilience and empowerment.
3. 99% of certified farms are operated by smallholder farmers managing less than 10 hectares, ensuring support for vulnerable agricultural workers.
4. Over 60% of Rainforest Alliance’s expert staff work directly in key landscapes, collaborating with rural communities to address systemic farming and forestry challenges.
5. Indigenous organizations in Peru secured $1 million in government incentives to reduce deforestation, while women’s cooperatives in Guatemala earned $347,900 addressing childhood malnutrition.

Certification and Regulatory Compliance

The Rainforest Alliance has updated its Sustainable Agriculture Standard to Version 1.4, reflecting a commitment to streamlined requirements and enhanced data quality. This update supports compliance with emerging regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), advancing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

In May 2024, Europe received its first shipment of EUDR-ready coffee verified by the Rainforest Alliance, produced by High Range Coffee Curing in India. This proactive compliance positions certified producers advantageously in sustainability-driven markets.

Measurable Environmental Progress

The report provides evidence of environmental improvements aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land):

• 14% more certified farms actively monitored pest populations compared to 2021, reducing pesticide reliance.
• In Ghana’s Sui River landscape, 65% of farmers invested in climate adaptation, planting over 583,000 tree seedlings and registering 54,000 trees, enhancing biodiversity and farming system resilience.

Implications for the Food and Beverage Industry

The transition to regenerative agriculture carries significant implications for the food and beverage sector, supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):

1. Supply Chain Resilience: Biodiversity and soil health improvements foster resilient farming systems, mitigating climate-related risks.
2. Quality Enhancement: Improved soil health enhances product quality and flavor, benefiting premium market segments such as specialty coffee and organic foods.
3. Consumer Demand for Transparency: Increased consumer awareness drives demand for verifiable sustainability in supply chains.
4. Market Differentiation: Products from regenerative farms can be marketed as premium, supporting brand differentiation and consumer loyalty.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Early adoption of regenerative practices facilitates adherence to stricter environmental regulations, reducing legal and financial risks.
6. Collaboration Opportunities: The shift enables partnerships among companies, NGOs, and communities to develop innovative, sustainable solutions.

A Call to Action

The Rainforest Alliance’s 2024 report serves as a call to action for the food and beverage industry to adopt regenerative agriculture as a strategic pathway to sustainability. This transition supports multiple SDGs by restoring ecosystems, enhancing livelihoods, and securing supply chain viability. Businesses are encouraged to align their practices with regenerative and sustainable principles to thrive in a rapidly evolving market and contribute meaningfully to global sustainable development.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights that 80% of the 500 million people living in farming areas near tropical forests live in poverty, and the Rainforest Alliance supports smallholder farmers to improve livelihoods.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Focus on sustainable agriculture, improving food quality, and addressing child malnutrition through women’s cooperatives.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The creation of jobs with 64% going to women and youth, and support for women’s cooperatives tackling childhood malnutrition.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Job creation in rural communities and economic resilience through regenerative agriculture.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and certification to meet regulatory compliance and consumer demand for transparency.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action – Addressing climate change through adaptation investments, tree planting, and reducing deforestation.
7. SDG 15: Life on Land – Restoration of degraded land, protection of tropical forests, biodiversity conservation, and combating deforestation.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce poverty in all its dimensions for all people living in rural areas.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including young people and women.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
7. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of forests and halt deforestation.
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of farmers supported and hectares certified – Nearly 8 million farmers and over 6 million hectares certified, indicating scale of sustainable agriculture adoption.
2. Job creation statistics – 202 jobs created in Mount Kenya, with 64% to women and youth, measuring economic impact and inclusivity.
3. Tree planting and land restoration – Over 106,000 trees planted and 106 hectares of degraded land restored in Mount Kenya; 583,000 tree seedlings planted and 54,000 trees registered in Ghana’s Sui River landscape, measuring environmental restoration.
4. Percentage of farms tracking pest populations – 14% increase in certified farms monitoring pests, indicating progress in reducing pesticide reliance.
5. Investment in climate change adaptation – 65% of farmers in Ghana’s Sui River landscape invested in adaptation, measuring resilience efforts.
6. Financial incentives and earnings – $1 million in government incentives secured by indigenous organizations in Peru and $347,900 earned by women’s cooperatives in Guatemala, measuring economic benefits and social impact.
7. Compliance with regulations – Introduction of Sustainable Agriculture Standard Version 1.4 and EUDR-ready certification, measuring regulatory alignment and market readiness.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: foodbev.com