The Rainforest Alliance has launched its new Regenerative Agriculture Standard, a specialized certification solution designed to help farmers and companies strengthen livelihoods while restoring ecosystems across tropical landscapes. The initiative introduces a science based framework that enables coffee farmers and supply chain actors to measure and track regenerative impacts on soil health, biodiversity, and overall resilience.
Certified products under this program will carry a distinct seal starting early next year. This seal is intended to communicate to consumers that the products come from farms and companies committed to enriching the land and supporting the communities that depend on it. Coffee is the first commodity to be certified under this new system, but the Rainforest Alliance plans to extend the certification to other crops, including cocoa, citrus, and tea, by 2026.
Addressing Global Agricultural Challenges
The launch of the Regenerative Agriculture Standard comes amid growing concerns over the state of global agriculture. Extreme weather events and ongoing environmental degradation are placing unprecedented strain on crop yields, supply reliability, and commodity markets. These challenges are further compounded by socioeconomic pressures that have intensified vulnerabilities for millions of farmers.
Smallholders, who are responsible for producing more than 70 percent of the world’s coffee, are particularly at risk. Their dependence on stable yields and fair market access makes them especially vulnerable to climate variability, market shocks, and environmental decline. The Rainforest Alliance’s certification framework is positioned as a response to these intersecting crises, aiming to provide both ecological restoration and livelihood resilience.
Highlighting the urgency of a new agricultural model, Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance, emphasized that markets must move beyond maintaining a neutral impact.
“Markets need to move beyond a ‘do no harm’ mindset to one that repairs and restores. Now is the time to transition to a new model of agriculture, one where every cup of coffee gives back more than it takes from the land and the people who care for it. After years of research and collaboration with farmers and companies, we are proud to introduce a Regenerative Agriculture Certification to help drive this shift.”
Structure of the Certification Framework
The certification integrates regenerative agriculture principles into a clear, measurable, and verifiable standard. It is organized around five key impact areas: soil health and fertility, climate resilience, biodiversity, water stewardship, and livelihoods.
Farmers participating in the certification will undergo periodic audits conducted by independent assessors. Only those who meet the requirements across these five areas will be granted certification and authorized to use the Rainforest Alliance regenerative seal on their products.
Recent studies support the benefits of regenerative farming, showing that these practices can increase farmer incomes by 20 to 30 percent. By aligning certification with these principles, the Rainforest Alliance aims to create a pathway for farmers to adopt climate smart practices that simultaneously enhance productivity, bolster resilience, and open access to new market opportunities.
Benefits for Companies and Consumers
For companies, sourcing certified regenerative coffee represents a strategic investment in suppliers who are better equipped to withstand climate disruptions and maintain supply reliability. Certification also offers businesses the ability to strengthen their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance with data backed claims, while addressing rising consumer demand for products that demonstrate tangible environmental and social impact.
For consumers, the certification provides a trusted signal of authenticity and accountability. The seal allows coffee drinkers to make more informed purchasing decisions, knowing that their choices contribute to both farmer livelihoods and ecological restoration.
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Early Implementation and Future Rollout
The Regenerative Agriculture Standard is already being applied across coffee farms in Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Companies sourcing from these farms are preparing to deliver the first certified regenerative coffee products to retail shelves in 2026. This rollout marks the beginning of what the Rainforest Alliance intends to expand into other key crops in subsequent years.
The organization has also extended an open invitation to farmers and companies interested in starting their regenerative journey. It has encouraged stakeholders to review the requirements of the certification and begin preparing for implementation. The Rainforest Alliance has pledged to provide ongoing support to both new participants and those scaling up existing regenerative practices.
The Role and Mission of the Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international non profit working to foster harmony between people and nature. Active in 62 countries, the organization brings together farm and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals to achieve change in critical landscapes and global supply chains. Its activities include implementing landscape and community level projects, advocating for stronger environmental and social policies, and improving market dynamics by centering farm and forest communities.
Looking forward, the Rainforest Alliance has set an ambitious target to reach 100 million farmers and workers by 2030. This goal underscores its commitment to scaling impact and accelerating adoption of sustainable and regenerative practices globally.