Key Takeaways
- Fair Trade USA™ and Acorn (an initiative of Rabobank) partner to support smallholder coffee and cocoa farmers.
- The initiative will expand access to carbon credits across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Farmers will receive 80% of proceeds from carbon credits under Acorn’s model.
- The program will utilize agroforestry practices to generate measurable, nature-based carbon removal units.
- This partnership strengthens income diversification and environmental resilience for participating farmers.
Fair Trade USA™ & Acorn: Expanding Farmer Access to the Carbon Economy
A New Partnership for Climate and Economic Equity Between Fair Trade USA™ & Acorn
Fair Trade USA™ has announced a strategic partnership with Acorn, an initiative of Rabobank, aimed at expanding equitable access to the carbon economy for smallholder coffee and cocoa farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The collaboration intends to ensure farmers who contribute to climate resilience benefit economically from their environmental efforts.
As carbon markets continue to grow, Fair Trade USA and Acorn seek to address the gap in access for smallholders, offering a pathway to generate verified carbon credits through agroforestry practices. These credits can be sold, creating an additional revenue stream for farmers while supporting global carbon reduction efforts.
Agroforestry-Based Carbon Removal Units
Income Through Verified Climate Action
Acorn’s model focuses on the creation of Carbon Removal Units (CRUs) through agroforestry, where farmers plant trees that improve soil quality and crop productivity. These practices also contribute to measurable carbon removal, which is essential for generating carbon credits under Acorn’s standards.
Unlike traditional carbon credits that focus on emission avoidance, Acorn’s CRUs center on carbon removal—both offsetting (purchased by external companies) and insetting (used within a company’s supply chain). All CRUs are designed to be traceable, scalable, and nature-based.
Importantly, farmers retain full ownership of their data and receive 80% of the credit proceeds, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their climate-positive practices.
Fair Trade USA™’s Role and Legacy
Enhancing Farmer Income and Environmental Stewardship
Fair Trade USA brings more than two decades of experience in delivering better income and working conditions through its Fair Trade Certified™ model. The organization’s standards promote fair pay, community governance, and environmental sustainability.
Participating farmers also benefit from Community Development Funds, which are used to support environmental restoration and agroforestry. Through this new partnership, these investments now also contribute to the generation of high-quality, verified carbon credits, further increasing the income potential for farming communities.
A Step Toward Climate Justice
Linking Sustainability with Economic Inclusion
The partnership aims to bridge a critical gap by linking smallholder farmers—who are often most vulnerable to climate change—with direct benefits from the carbon economy. By expanding agroforestry, keeping forests intact, and regenerating degraded land, the initiative promotes both environmental and economic resilience.
This move aligns with broader goals of climate justice, providing new tools and opportunities for farmers in traditionally underserved regions.
“This partnership ensures that the farmers on the frontlines of climate change aren’t left behind in the carbon economy,” said representatives from Fair Trade USA. “Together with Acorn, we are creating a system where climate action is both inclusive and economically viable.”
