Problem

In Brazil’s northern regions, palm oil cultivation has long been associated with deforestation, biodiversity loss, and exploitative labour practices. As demand for palm oil continues to rise in sectors like food and cosmetics, so does the pressure on tropical forests and rural communities. Smallholder farmers in the Amazon region often face limited access to technical support, fair markets, or sustainable cultivation models, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and environmental degradation. To ensure palm oil production does not come at the cost of ecosystems and rural well-being, new models are needed that combine environmental integrity with inclusive economic development.

Response

Natura, a Brazilian cosmetics company, and Belterra Agroflorestas have partnered to operationalise a sustainable palm oil supply chain that avoids deforestation and centers smallholder inclusion. The project, located in Brazil’s northern states, promotes agroforestry systems that integrate palm cultivation with native forest species, preserving biodiversity, supporting carbon sequestration, and protecting soil health. Over 200 smallholder farmers are engaged through capacity building, technical assistance, and fair purchasing agreements, aiming at ensuring stable incomes and improving livelihoods. The project reportedly complies with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) principles and is designed to scale across the region.

By linking sustainable sourcing to local development, Natura and Belterra are seeking to scale a model for just transitions in agricultural supply chains that benefits both people and the planet.

Find out more: Earthshot Prize / AgFeed