Rainforest Alliance Copyright 2007 Rainforest Alliance October 5

2 What is the Rainforest Alliance? An international, nonprofit environmental and sustainable development organization. Our mission is to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices, and consumer behavior © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

3 Transforming Land-use Practices © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

4 Transforming Business Practices © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

5 Transforming Consumer Behavior © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

6 Scope • 160 people: in USA, Central America, Europe, and Indonesia • Last year budget of $16 million • Founded in 1987, first forestry certification in 1989, first coffee certification in 1996 © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

7 Sustainable Forestry: Smart. Wood First forestry certification program, 20 yrs experience Accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council Over 28 million hectares certified (3% of the world’s working forests) 54 countries around the world Company partners: IKEA, Gibson USA, B&Q, Domtar, Klabin, Tembec, Grupo Nueva… © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

8 Sustainable Agriculture Certified 1. 3 % of the world’s coffee Certified 18% of the world’s bananas 563, 000 acres, nearly 10, 000 farms of coffee, citrus, bananas, pineapple, cacao, flowers, nuts, ferns, passion fruit, and plantains Kraft, Chiquita, Tchibo, Whole Foods, United Nations, Citigroup, Nespresso, Antwerpen Zoo, Colruyt, Innocent Drinks © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

9 Sustainable Tourism Created Sustainable Tourism Network of the Americas Recruited more than 20 tour operators to source sustainably Trained more than 4000 small and medium tourism operations in five countries. © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

10 What is Rainforest Alliance Certification? An independent, third party audit of farm or forestry management. If farm and forestry operations meet our guidelines they are awarded our seal of approval. A strictly voluntary, non-governmental process Rainforest Alliance guidelines are comprehensive and balance ecological, economic and social considerations. A guarantee to consumers that the products meet our set of criteria for sustainability. We are a founding member of ISEAL, an association for all the NGO certifiers to set best practices and standards for certification schemes © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

11 Which products are certified? Food products including: • • • Coffee Chocolate/Cocoa mass Bananas and puree Orange juice Pineapple Guava Macadamia Cut flowers Tea (coming soon) Sugar (coming soon) © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance Forest products including: • • • Paper Guitars, pianos Construction/”green building” Furniture Pencils Plywood October 5, 2007

What do farms have to fulfill in order to get Rainforest Alliance Certified? ©

13 Rigorous Audits © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

14 Every Farm, Every Year © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

15 Planning and Monitoring Demonstrate compliance with standards and show continuous improvement © Copyright

16 Protect Ecosystems All existing natural ecosystems identified, protected, conserved and restored through a conservation program. Deforestation is prohibited, reforestation required © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

17 Protecting Wildlife Half the world’s plant and animal species share tropical ecosystems with farmers © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance • Protect habitats • No farms in parks • No hunting or collecting October 5, 2007

18 Water Conservation No pollution Buffer zones along streams Conserve – recycle (people and

19 Fair Treatment for Workers Providing good jobs to the community Transparent salaries and contracts Safe & sanitary working conditions Equal benefits and rights for seasonal workers © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

20 Good Community Relations Protect shared resources Help maintain community facilities: roads, potable water… Support schools and health clinics, environmental education © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

21 Integrated Crop Management Use pesticides only as a last resort Prohibit “Dirty Dozen” pesticides Best practices in transport, storage and application Safety equipment and training © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance October 5, 2007

22 Waste Management: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle Before certification All plastic and garbage must be collected © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance Bridge made of recycled banana farm October 5, 2007 plastics

23 Waste Management: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle o Agrochemical storage o Recycling centers o Composting

24 Soil Conservation Plant windbreaks Use cover crops Minimize erosion Enrich soils naturally © Copyright 2007. Rainforest Alliance Vegetative groundcovers can eliminate the need for herbicides, stop erosion and protect rivers from sedimentation October 5, 2007