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Title: The Contribution of Rainforest Alliance/Forest Stewardship Council Certification to the Conservation of World Heritage Sites

Authors: Deanna Newsom, David Hughell

Organization: Rainforest Alliance

Date: May 12, 2011

Language: English

Number of pages: 8

Eco-Index summary: Since 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated 911 properties of outstanding cultural or natural significance as World Heritage Sites. Originally written for the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's "State of Conservation of World Heritage Forests" publication, this report details how Rainforest Alliance/Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of forests has contributed to the conservation of natural World Heritage sites, which are characterized by exceptional natural beauty and/or outstanding biodiversity. The purpose of this report is to explore the relationship between natural World Heritage sites and FSC-certified forests and to describe the potential contribution of certified forestry to the integrity of World Heritage sites. The authors first describe their evaluation methodology, and then discuss in detail the following sites: Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks and Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, Sikhote-Alin Nature Preserve, and Tikal National Park. The report concludes that the future potential for forest certification to enhance the functionality and integrity of World Heritage sites seems high, and that the benefits of certified forestry will likely extend beyond the operation's boundaries and into nearby forests and communities.

Title: Impact of FSC Forest Certification on Agroextractive Communities of the State of Acre, Brazil

Authors: Ana Carolina B. de Lima, André Luiz Novaes Keppe, Marcelo Corréa Alves, Rodrigo Fernando Maule, and Gerd Sparovek

Organization: Instituto de Manejo e Certificação Florestal e Agrícola (IMAFLORA)

Date: 2008

Language: English

Number of pages: 130

Eco-Index summary: In addition to analyzing the effects of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification programs on communities in Acre, Brazil, this comprehensive report provides background information on the history of forest certification in Brazil, the elements involved in community forest management, the history of forest activities in the state of Acre, and a characterization of the region's extractive communities. The report concludes that the impact of FSC forest certification actions in Acre communities was low. However, this low impact is likely because the various government and non-government entities encouraging community forest management in Acre have created an atmosphere that produces positive effects similar to those derived from certification procedures.

Title: Impact of Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) Certification on Coffee Farms: Case Study in the Southern Region and Cerrado Areas of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Authors: Ana Carolina B. de Lima, Andre Luiz Novaes Keppe, Roberto Palmieri, Marcelo Correa Alves, Rodrigo Fernando Maule, and Gerd Sparovek

Organization: Instituto de Manejo e Certificação Florestal e Agrícola (IMAFLORA)

Date: 2008

Language: English

Number of pages: 53

Eco-Index summary: In order to determine the effectiveness of Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) certification procedures on Brazilian coffee farms, the NGO IMAFLORA performed an impact assessment study that analyzed 16 different coffee farms, half of which were Rainforest Alliance Certified and half of which were not. The study examined farms in two different regions within the State of Minas Gerais, and featured methods including field observations, interviews with farm owners and workers, and satellite image analysis. The report concluded that although further, more "robust" research should be conducted, SAN certification has had a positive impact on the coffee producing operations in regards to a variety of important social and environmental issues.

Title: Estudio sobre los mercados de valor para el cacao nacional de origen y con certificaciones (Study on Value-Added Markets for Certified Cocoa in Ecuador)

Author: Claudi Radi

Organizations: Royal Netherlands Embassy in Ecuador, Corporación de Promoción de Exportaciones e Inversiones de Ecuador (CORPEI), GTZ, and Biocomercio Sostenible

Date: July 2005

Language: Spanish

Number of pages: 75

Eco-Index summary: The global confections market was valued at $73.2 billion in 2001 with a 4 percent annual increase from 1996 and 2001. This study examines potential markets for Ecuadorian cacao that is certified organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance Certified. It focuses on the premium Arriba chocolates and its by-products, as well as specialty markets for high quality products.

The study presents market entry strategies, steps to form business-to-business alliances, and accounts of successful ventures. It also includes a summary manual on how to carry out market studies for bio-trade businesses and details on market chains, characteristics of the buyers, prices, competitors, distribution channels, cacao products within the marketplace, and opportunities for cacao from Ecuador.

© 2001 - Rainforest Alliance