Carbon Economy Initiatives

Fair Trade USA has partnered with Acorn, a Rabobank initiative, to help small coffee and cocoa farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America earn income from the growing carbon economy. These farmers often invest in protecting the environment, but too often, they do not share in the financial rewards of climate-focused programs.

To address this gap, the partnership will expand access to carbon credits—a key tool in the fight against climate change. Carbon credits allow businesses and individuals to offset their carbon emissions by supporting eco-friendly projects. In turn, farmers who adopt sustainable practices like planting trees or restoring land can generate these credits and sell them, creating new sources of income.

Through this collaboration, even more farmers will be able to participate in the carbon economy. As a result, they can reinvest in community projects—such as land restoration and agroforestry—that protect the environment and boost long-term sustainability.

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