Glob. Environ. Change 52, 141–151 (2018)

Environmental certifications, such as eco-labels, signal more-sustainable efforts from producers, such as producing coffee while sparing forests. In theory, eco-labels act as a form of non-state governance driven by economic markets. Such labels provide consumers with information to incentivize these practices, often by paying a premium. Yet among countries producing commodity crops, land conversion from forest or grassland to agriculture has risen alongside levels of certified production.

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Hamish van der Ven, of McGill University, Canada, and colleagues explored this conundrum by comparing certification systems for crops associated with deforestation—soy in Brazil, palm oil in Indonesia, and cocoa in Cote d’Ivoire. Using United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization data, they found ongoing deforestation and land conversion associated with these crops, especially Indonesian palm oil, despite large growth in certification meant to discourage such conversion. Evidence suggests one reason for this is that certified production remains a small fraction of total production, limiting its potential to curb forest loss. Additionally, loopholes in certification provisions and enforcement may play roles. Closing loopholes, better monitoring, and aligning interests between districts and their crop producers may pay dividends.