18 Nov 2025
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), supported by the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB) and co‑organised by the American Forest Foundation (AFF), convened a landmark side event at COP 30 titled “Promoting Smallholder Projects for Net‑Zero and Beyond.”
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), supported by the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB) and co‑organised by the American Forest Foundation (AFF), convened a landmark side event at COP 30 titled “Promoting Smallholder Projects for Net‑Zero and Beyond.”
Held in the Blue Zone of COP 30, the session spotlighted natural rubber not only as an essential raw material but also as a strategic climate solution. The event underscored natural rubber’s potential to contribute meaningfully to global mitigation efforts and net‑zero targets, while amplifying the voice of millions of smallholders who depend on rubber cultivation for their livelihoods. This milestone marks the first coordinated effort to position natural rubber as a climate‑resilient smallholders’ crop. Discussions highlighted its critical role in sustainable development, resilience building, and climate action, ensuring that natural rubber is recognised as a strategic contributor to both environmental stewardship and socio‑economic resilience.
This COP 30 side event meeting featured a high‑level panel discussion and the discussions brought together diverse perspectives on smallholder empowerment, sustainability, and climate resilience. The panellist speakers were Christine Cadigan, AFF; Dr Lekshmi Nair, ANRPC; Sandeep Roy Chowdary, VNV; Dr Vincent Gits, CIFOR-ICRAF; Sharon London, FSC; and Santiago Gowland, Rainforest Alliance, alongside keynote addresses by Dr. Satya Tripathi of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, and Dr. Nisar Marisi of the Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia.
Together, these speakers underscored the critical role of smallholder projects in advancing net‑zero ambitions, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable development.
Their insights highlighted the importance of collaborative action across sectors to ensure natural rubber and other smallholder crops are recognised as strategic contributors to global climate solutions.
