The UN IPCC climate report makes it clearer than ever before: we are at a critical point for the future of the planet. RA’s climate director weighs in on how the natural climate solutions emphasized in the report—like those at the heart of our mission— are essential to limiting the global temperature rise below the 1.5 degrees.
Continue readingThe Better Business Hub is your knowledge platform on the ins and outs of UTZ certification and the impact in origin.
Find answers to FAQs and farmer stories about the benefits and challenges of implementing sustainable farming.
The UN IPCC climate report makes it clearer than ever before: we are at a critical point for the future of the planet. RA’s climate director weighs in on how the natural climate solutions emphasized in the report—like those at the heart of our mission— are essential to limiting the global temperature rise below the 1.5 degrees.
Gender equality between men and women is a key component of sustainable farming. Not only is it a human right, it is an effective strategy for economic growth and poverty reduction. Julius Ng’ang’a, country rep. for Kenya explains the current challenges and why it’s so important to work in partnership to reach gender equality.
There are at least 560 million female farmers and farm workers in the world, comprising, on average, 43% percent of the agricultural labor force. But they face a multitude of challenges. UTZ gender expert Joky François explains why gender equality is vital for sustainable agriculture, and what the UTZ progarm is doing about it.
Pesticides can be harmful for farmers, consumers and the environment. That’s why on UTZ farms pesticides are only used as a last resort. Fabian Calvo Romero, UTZ’s pest management expert explains how integrated pest management works in practice with examples from around the world.
Pests and diseases are a constant threat for farmers, but pesticides can be very dangerous. Our pest management expert, Fabián Calvo Romero, explains how UTZ ensures that crops, people, and the planet are all protected.
Beyond improving farming practices, farmer groups can also play an important role in fighting norms within their communities. COAGRICSAL, a coffee and cocoa coop in Honduras, is doing just that. We talk with sustainability manager, Roberto Lopez, to find out about the work they’re doing to stop child labor across the country.
We talked with Roberto Lopez, sustainability manager at the COAGRICSAL cooperative in Honduras, about the challenges and rewards of his job supporting coffee and cocoa farmers across the region. He explains their motivations for certification, the role of companies in the supply chain, what’s in store for the future and more.
UTZ’s hazelnut program launched in 2014 and has more than tripled in size since then. Understanding the program starts with understanding the sustainability concerns facing the sector. As we enter our fifth harvest, Leonie Haakshorst, manager of the UTZ hazelnut program, discusses with us the industry’s main challenges.
In the early 2000s, coffee was in crisis. Colombian coffee farmer Juan Pablo Echeverri knew market connections were key to his business success. So he joined the UTZ progam, and is still enjoying the benefits today. “Certification opens doors. It’s up to you whether to walk through them or not.”
Ria Stout, Chief Regional Officer of the new Rainforest Alliance, wrote UTZ’s first certification standard. She has dedicated her life to both organizations, which are now joining forces to amplify and accelerate sustainability transformation around the world. She sheds her light on the exciting journey.
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