Stakeholder Insights - OVERVIEW

Transcription

1 Stakeholder Insights - OVERVIEW Prepared for the Semi-Annual Membership Meeting, January 27, 2015 Douglas Meyer Bernuth & Williamson 1

2 PURPOSE Gather, analyze and summarize stakeholder opinion on: The trade in illegally harvested wood and wood products The impact of the Lacey Act The efforts of the FLA The future of the issue, with potential focal areas for the FLA 2

3 PARTICIPATION Interviews (October-November 2014) In-depth conversations with 40 representatives from companies, organizations and associations with interest in the issue, knowledge of the policies and familiarity with FLA Private Sector (19) NGO/Academia (16) Government (5) * 3

4 FINDINGS: SUMMARY 2012 The Lacey Act has played an important role in moving the global market towards a standard that demands legality (Interviewees seeing anecdotal evidence of a move to a new normal ) The FLA has done a solid job in its specific niche, raising the profile of, and providing information about Lacey Act Those directly involved with the FLA are largely satisfied with the work of the FLA, especially the work of WRI, while encouraging the development of tools and resources Indications that others affected had accepted the new normal of the Lacey Act, albeit with some lingering questions about implementation and enforcement 2014 The introduction of additional demand-side policies, especially the EUTR, is accelerating this transition (Interviewees now seeking hard data about impacts) The FLA has expanded its expertise beyond the Lacey Act to include other demand-side policies Those directly involved with the FLA remain largely satisfied with the work of the FLA, while raising questions about the use of existing tools and resources, and strategy for the future A shift in the conversation, beyond the implementation and enforcement of the demand-side policies, down the supply chain, and out to other products 4

5 FINDINGS: CONCERN ABOUT THE ISSUE Ongoing concern for those focused on the future of forests* Lacey Act and EUTR, those are huge milestones still there is massive work to be done...i would be totally lying if I said I was calm about this issue (NGO) With new emphasis on producer markets & other products As much as I'd like to believe the US telling them (via the Lacey Act) will make the difference, there really is a systemic problem, long historical issues, in the producing countries - land tenure, bad regulations, everything - and that is were the conversation is going now (BUSINESS) * The majority of interviewees 5

6 FINDINGS: PERCEIVED IMPACT OF THE ACT* A success in raising awareness and inspiring action (Lacey Act and EUTR) have sent very significant market signals that these markets are tightening up (NGO) while awaiting the benefits for legitimate business There are always going to be costs with these policies, as it made us be a lot more careful and understand our supply chain...but it is just the cost of doing business...if you are getting any product from any country, you need to know (the production process) (BUSINESS) questioning the ultimate impact on the forest The Lacey Act has been very effective in changing the dynamics on how US companies talk about this increased awareness, investment, risk analysis and concern too - (but) do I think it's affected illegal logging, that's a really tough answer to come up with (BUSINESS) and wondering whether it will be fully enforced There are yellow cards, but not enough red cards (BUSINESS) 6 *Note that when discussing impact, most interviewees spoke of the collective impact of the demand-side policies

7 FINDINGS: FEEDBACK FOR THE FLA FLA positives issue expertise that has expanded beyond the Lacey Act Not just as a resource but the resource there are competing initiatives out there and I do not recommend those (BUSINESS) meetings lauded for approach, info and networking A great platform in that it brings NGOs, private sector and others to the table (and) that diverse engagement is important the twice-yearly meetings where we can learn very valuable information sharing (NGO) research and tools appreciated, but underutilized One of the things I've felt most positive about is that it is not just a convening group...the fact that there have been really practical tools and outcomes is what makes it different (NGO) / Recently (I saw) one of the brief country profiles they produced and I thought, Well, I wasn't aware of these,' (but that) struck me as a nice little cheat sheet (GOVT) 7

8 FINDINGS: FEEDBACK FOR THE FLA FLA negatives meetings becoming less interesting, less diverse There's always a struggle to find something new to talk about at their meetings (GOVT) / Informal conversations are the most valuable part of the convenings every year there is a discussion about a more interactive format but it doesn t happen (and) more and more people walk away thinking they don t need to be there during the day (BUSINESS) concerns about the strategy for the future I m always slightly wondering what it is, what it s angle is, where (the FLA) is going to next and I can see that it s got a lot of info...real question is about what it wants to do next (NGO) 8

9 FINDINGS: THE FUTURE Reasons for hope momentum and technology We are betting a lot on transparency and the use of technology, where everyone would know how much has been produced, and exactly where it came from (NGO) Cause for concern ensuring impact of demand-side policies and addressing supply-side problems The next challenge facing this is if you look at the deep drivers of deforestation it is not really paper and packaging but palm oil and consumer non-forest products, so how to address the illegal conversions (NGO) And then there s China hope and concern You go to China...and (officials) expect you all to drink the Kool-Aid...but (companies will) put whatever you want on the product three grades: the cheap, the (fake) compliant, and the actually compliant (BUSINESS) 9

10 FINDINGS: THE FUTURE Suggestions for the FLA stay centered on legality & continue convening Number one is to continue the networking as there is nothing more important than sharing the information, and the FLA, because of its constituents, from WWF and EIA to industry...you can't reproduce it, that's invaluable (BUSINESS) bring existing resources to new audiences I've been impressed with the breadth of attendees at FLA meetings, but I have noticed that the attendees have not expanded in the last couple of years could they do a push to recruit new companies? Cast the net wider? Hold the meetings elsewhere to help do that? (NGO) 10

11 FINDINGS: THE FUTURE gather data and report out to business and USG I'd love to know how much progress has been made on illegal logging as for the companies who have taken a leadership role (on this issue, I know) they'd love to be able to tell that story...they'd love to hear that it has been making a difference (and) if they can show a definitive outcome then wow, that's awesome (BUSINESS) go deeper into producer markets FLA does a great job at looking at the demand-side piece I'm wondering if it's worth focusing their attention on the producer side those questions are harder, and there will never be a one-size-fits-all solution (but) that could be a really interesting conversation (NGO) consider collaborations with other initiatives You have a whole series of organizations and initiatives that are focused on sustainability, and you have industry buy-in the Tropical Forest 2020, the Consumer Goods Forum and there is climate stuff going on, generating other investments in sustainability - that's exciting the extent to which FLA plays in that is the question (NGO) 11

12 FINDINGS: CONCLUDING THOUGHTS Sincere appreciation for the FLA, and interest in its future We still feel committed and supportive of the FLA, and I appreciate that they, through (B&W), reach out to check in and see how things are going...and the timing is right largely we're happy and think it is headed in the right direction just those couple of things as to how it could be even better (NGO) 12

13 NEXT STEPS Immediately prior to the semi-annual meeting B&W hosted discussion groups to explore in more detail two of the ideas that arose during the interviews The possible role for the FLA in identifying and/or promoting technologies that could help eliminate the trade in illegal wood The possible role for the FLA in advancing the creation of nationallybased alliances in Brazil, Mexico and China During the semi-annual meeting FLA staff will present a draft work plan for review and discussion 13

14 Stakeholder Insights - OVERVIEW Prepared for the Semi-Annual Membership Meeting, January 27, 2015 Douglas Meyer Bernuth & Williamson 14