The Rainforest Alliance, a non-profit championing environmental protection and rural livelihoods, and Mirova, a sustainable investment arm of Natixis Investment Managers, have announced a sustainable collaboration.

This partnership aims to accelerate locally driven solutions that benefit the environment, biodiversity, and communities.

Leveraging Mirova's €350 million sustainable land use strategy, the initiative will target impact investments in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. By expanding access to Rainforest Alliance certification and Mirova's financing options in these regions, the partnership seeks to bridge the funding gap in nature-based solutions. This gap needs to close considerably, with investments tripling to reach $542 billion annually by 2030.

Collaboration for Impact

The partnership will initially focus on Mirova's sustainable land use strategy. By combining Rainforest Alliance's on-the-ground expertise with Mirova's investment capabilities, the collaboration will identify promising opportunities for promoting locally driven, nature-based solutions like regenerative agriculture and agroforestry.

Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future

Both organisations share a deep commitment to nature-based solutions. Regenerative agriculture improves soil health, captures carbon dioxide, and conserves water, while agroforestry integrates trees into farming systems, boosting biodiversity and offering farmers additional income. These methods leverage nature's power to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and strengthen community resilience.

Focus on Critical Regions

The partnership will prioritise crucial sourcing landscapes in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, where sustainable investment is most needed. Mirova will directly collaborate with project developers to assess their eligibility for certification, while the Rainforest Alliance will promote Mirova's financing options to farmers already enrolled in their programmes.

Building on a Strong Foundation

This partnership is driven by a shared commitment to sustainability in food and agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. With 35 years of experience, the Rainforest Alliance connects farmers, consumers, businesses, and investors, promoting sustainable and regenerative practices in over 60 countries. As a certified B Corporation, Mirova has financed over 70 projects and companies that contribute to protecting and restoring nature in both developing and developed markets.

Quotes Highlighting the Importance of Collaboration

"We need partnerships like this to accelerate the shift of agriculture and forestry to net-positive at a meaningful speed and scale. By connecting impact investors like Mirova with the Rainforest Alliance’s proven on-the-ground impact, we can mobilize private capital for a just, regenerative transition. Together, we can help address the green finance gap and provide farmers with the capital they need to adopt more sustainable and regenerative practices, enabling both them and the land to thrive," says Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance.

"Mirova and the Rainforest Alliance share a common vision: to accelerate the transition from nature-dependent economic value chains to a more sustainable model which improves the incomes and rights of local communities, it is essential to foster collective intelligence and collaboration among all stakeholders. This partnership will allow more developers of nature-positive projects to access high-quality certification and funding to grow their business," says Anne-Laurence Roucher, Deputy CEO and Head of Private Equity and Natural Capital at Mirova.

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Source: Rainforest Alliance