Setting the standard: Does Rainforest Alliance Certification increase environmental and socio-economic outcomes for small-scale coffee producers in Rwanda?

Abstract

Sustainability certification has become an important tool for promoting sustainable agricultural value chains. Nevertheless, its economic and environmental effects on the producer level remain unclear. We investigate the relationship of Rainforest Alliance Certification with socio-economic and environmental outcomes in Rwanda and consider potential tradeoffs between dimensions. To reduce potential selection bias in the econometric estimation, we use inverse probability weighted regression adjustment. We find no significant association between certification and socio-economic indicators but a significant correlation between certification and good agricultural practices and biodiversity-related practices. Effects on economic outcomes and biodiversity-related practices are linked; their relationship differs across climatic regions.