Roadmap towards a Landscape Net-Positive Certification Model: The Case of the Tea Sector in Kenya

This Capstone team of 8 students conducted intensive research on integrating carbon accounting into the agricultural commodity certification program for their client, the Rainforest Alliance. The theory of change is to transform agricultural systems from carbon emission sources into carbon sequestration sinks to address climate change, incentivize regenerative farming practices, and improve farmer’s livelihoods. The research questions were: How can carbon accounting be integrated into the Rainforest Alliance certification system? Could the Rainforest Alliance support farmers in adapting to climate change through a Verified Carbon Standard project? 

Through fieldwork and data collection in Kenya, the Capstone team developed a unique three-pronged methodology for carbon accounting for the Rainforest Alliance: interviews, soil sampling, and spatial data analysis. The framework provided an evidence-based roadmap for Rainforest Alliance to enter the voluntary carbon market as a project developer in addition to a crucial baseline level of agricultural data. The recommendations leverage the Rainforest Alliance’s unique position to aggregate smallholder farm plots and increase access to carbon credit finance among their certified farmers to advance regenerative agriculture practices. The project recommended incentive mechanisms for measuring carbon and developing a new carbon credit program to unlock opportunities for increased access to finance for farmers to promote regenerative agriculture and climate resilience.