The Accountability Framework initiative

Transcription

1 The Accountability Framework initiative Delivering on ethical supply chain commitments Introduction for public consultation period October 10 December 11, 2017

2 Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi). This self-guided presentation provides an overview of the aims and approach of the AFi. It also introduces the content and intended uses of the Accountability Framework itself. The first part of this Framework is currently available for public consultation from October 10 through December 11, This presentation includes the following sections: 1. Introduction to the Accountability Framework initiative 2. Overview of the Accountability Framework and its intended uses 3. Summary of the public consultation process and next steps Once you have viewed this presentation, please visit the initiative s website ( to read and comment on the Accountability Framework draft core document. Thank you! The AFi partners look forward to your input. 2/26

3 Section 1: Introduction to the Accountability Framework initiative

4 What is the Accountability Framework initiative? Launched in December 2016, the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) is an effort led by a coalition of NGOs to accelerate progress and improve accountability related to the delivery of company supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry. It will do so by developing and promoting clear and consensus-based norms for setting and implementing responsible supply chain commitments that address deforestation, human rights, and other key issues. The Accountability Framework is not a new certification system, nor does it intend to supersede or duplicate any existing initiatives or programs related to ethical supply chains. 4/26

5 Why is this initiative needed? 2020 (and 2030) commitments are fast approaching (NY Declaration on Forests, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris climate agreement, etc.) While many individual companies are making progress, sector-wide change is still a challenge and interim milestones are not being met Delivery of company and sector commitments requires transparency, harmonized tools and directives, and the ability to measure real progress against outcomes across different companies and sectors Aligning and harmonizing tools, instruments, initiatives and vernacular helps provide clarity and accountability for all stakeholders 5/26

6 What are the aims of the Accountability Framework initiative? To accelerate implementation of corporate ethical supply chain commitments To help support effective and credible implementation processes To strengthen accountability based on actual outcomes 6/26

7 How is the Accountability Framework initiative governed and who is involved? Steering Group The initiative is led by a Steering Group comprised of representatives of a diverse set of environmental and social NGOs The Accountability Framework is being co-developed, vetted and refined through technical work streams and stakeholder engagement including: Working Groups comprised of global experts and key stakeholders Input from companies involved in commodity production and trade Regional engagement processes to involve stakeholders in each major tropical producing region Collaboration with other organizations, initiatives, systems and tools working to support responsible supply chains 7/26

8 What is the scope of this initiative? The scope of the AFi mirrors the scope of existing commitments for agriculture and forestry supply chains. This includes: Thematic Protection of forests and other natural ecosystems Respect for formal and customary land and resource rights Protection of labor rights and other human rights Supply Chains Palm Oil Soy Cattle Pulp/paper/timber Cocoa Other commodities Geographies South America SE Asia West/Central Africa Other producing regions 8/26

9 How will social accountability be integrated into the Accountability Framework? In its first months, the AFi has focused on issues related to the social and environmental aspects of land, such as deforestation, land conversion, and land rights. The Steering Group also recognizes the critical importance of addressing labor rights and other human rights in ethical supply chains. The initiative has begun consulting with organizations working on these topics to determine the most effective way to address them within the AFi. Input from all stakeholders is invited as part of the public consultation process. Next steps related to social accountability will be announced on the AFi website in 2018; to subscribe for updates, please visit 9/26

10 What is the relationship between the Accountability Framework and other implementation systems? The Accountability Framework is not meant to replace or supersede other initiatives or tools to guide the implementation of supply chain commitments. Rather, it serves as an overarching framework that: i) helps better align existing initiatives and clarify how they can be used in a complementarity way to fulfill commitments; and ii) helps to fill present gaps in implementation guidance and systems. The Accountability Framework: Consensus-Based Global Norms & Guidance Existing implementation procedures and tools consistent with the Accountability Framework gain recognition and credibility New and emerging tools can follow Accountability Framework norms and guidance to support effective and harmonized implementation Region- and biomespecific definitions Global and regional monitoring systems Corporate sustainability reporting platforms Verification service providers Commodity-specific norms & guidance Company & sector scorecards Social & env l good practice norms Certification standards & beyond certification tools Etc 10/26

11 Case example: alignment global and regional approaches in South America The Collaboration for Forests and Agriculture (CFA) was launched in 2016 to develop and promote standards, commitments, and incentives for zerodeforestation beef and soy in the Amazon and Cerrado regions in Brazil, and in the Gran Chaco region spanning Argentina and Paraguay. The CFA and AFi are collaborating to ensure that regional approaches developed by CFA align with global approaches under AFi. This will create clarity and consistency for producers, commodity-buying companies, governments, and other implementation partners. CFA definitions, cutoff dates, and details of the zero-deforestation protocol will be adopted and included in the Accountability Framework guidance for beef and soy in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. For companies sourcing from the region covered by CFA, compliance with CFA guidelines will fulfill corresponding elements of the Accountability Framework. Different tools and support systems developed under CFA to support implementation, risk management, monitoring, and traceability will be included in and aligned with those in the Accountability Framework. 11/26

12 Section 2: Overview of the Accountability Framework and its intended uses

13 The Framework will include three components, providing complementary levels of detail and user interfaces Core Document Overarching global framework specifying general approaches to a range of key implementation topics Operational Manual Further clarity on key aspects, including definitions, implementation in different commodity/geography contexts, and roles/responsibilities of actors along the supply chain Additional detail related to monitoring, verification, reporting/disclosure, and claims Implementation guidance for complex topics, such as remedy and remediation, smallholder participation in responsible supply chains, and the relation between company and government action Supporting Tools User interface(s) to help companies and other stakeholders access the Framework material Tool to help navigate existing implementation systems and clarify how they may be used to fulfill commitments 13/26

14 Sections of the Accountability Framework core document (focus of the present public consultation) Section 1 Scope and Specification of Commitments Section Section 2 3 Supply Chains are Business and Deforestation- Supply Chain Free and Management Protective of Systems Other Natural Ecosystems Section 4 Supply Chains Respect and Promote Human Rights Section 5 Responsible Land Use Planning and Management Section 6 Monitoring, Verification, Reporting and Claims Section 7 Remediation and Access to Remedy Section 8 Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations 14/26

15 Accountability Framework Operational Manual: expected contents and development process Detailed guidance per commodity, geography and role of particular actors in the supply chain Developed in alignment with other implementation initiatives Working groups will lead the technical development of the Operational Manual sections, incorporating a wide range of stakeholder perspectives. Working groups will address: Land (including both ecological and social dimension of land) Verification Reporting and disclosure 15/26

16 Once completed, the Framework will be presented through accessible user interface(s) 1. A simple home page from which users can dive deeper into the global framework or Operational Manual 2. An expandable table of contents panel allows user to easily navigate the document to view sections most relevant to them 3. Implementation details may be expanded to increasing levels of detail 16

17 Company use cases for the Accountability Framework The Framework is designed to be used by companies that produce, trade, or purchase agriculture and forestry commodities, along with these companies suppliers, subsidiaries, customers and affiliates. In this context, it can support several functions: Self-assessment: to enable operations teams to more easily benchmark and identify potential gaps in the content and implementation of company commitments Risk management: to help evaluate supply chain risk and identify appropriate tools or systems to address it Strategy to manage responsible sourcing: to navigate and assess existing definitions, implementation tools, and systems and help identify which ones are most suitable for a company 17/26

18 company use cases, continued Operations & procedures: to identify best practices and operational details for implementation efforts, which may be adapted for company policy, supplier mandates, and internal management for national, regional, or commodityspecific business units Streamlining: to align implementation and reporting systems to facilitate supply chain management, and to clarify and reduce the burden of sustainability reporting Bigger picture: to inform company involvement in sector and landscape initiatives, and to contribute to developing new implementation tools and systems where they are currently lacking 18/26

19 Who are the intended users within companies? Core Document Senior sustainability and financial officers Procurement leadership Investor relationship managers Supply chain/operational managers Government/policy relationship managers Other leadership responsible for monitoring and verification, sustainability reporting, and related policies and procedures Operational Manual Regional leadership and staff Local operational team members Sustainability, finance, procurement, and operations staff members Commodity-specific team members Supporting Tools Sustainability, finance, and operations staff members Regional/local staff and management Sustainability consultants Other team members responsible for monitoring and verification, sustainability reporting, and related policies and procedures 19/26

20 Other use cases for the Accountability Framework The Framework is also intended to help support more effective implementation and accountability for responsible supply chains by multiple other types of organization, including: Investors Government Advocacy and watchdog groups Peoples and communities affected by commodity production Producers associations or cooperatives Reporting and tracking initiatives Certification systems and commodity roundtables Companies implementation service providers Please see the draft core document for more information on intended uses by these types of organizations 20/26

21 Section 3: Summary of the public consultation process and next steps

22 Public consultation process: many opportunities for input & dialogue During the public consultation period on the draft core document, stakeholders are invited to participate in: E-consultation: Self-guided online review & feedback tool Global in-person consultation events: AFi events within or on the sidelines of key meetings from Oct-Dec 2017 (e.g., UNFCCC meetings) Consultation sessions in tropical producing regions: South America: Steering Group member Imaflora will lead in-person and virtual consultations throughout the region in partnership with other Steering Group members Africa (west/central): Consultations will be held in conjunction with other relevant events/processes in the region; additional stakeholders will be consulted virtually Southeast Asia: Consultations will be held in conjunction with other relevant events/processes in the region; additional stakeholders will be consulted virtually Please see the calendar of events at for more information on upcoming events and how to participate. 22/26

23 Next steps This is the first public consultation period. Once the 60-day period closes, the document will be revised and in view of input received. An anonymized summary of comments received and how they were addressed will be available on the website. The revised document may then be consulted further, after which Version 1 of the core document will be released. During and after the consultation period, stakeholder outreach will continue to help ensure alignment between the Accountability Framework and other supply chain initiatives, and to determine how best to address areas not yet elaborated in the Framework, including labor rights and other topics. You can keep up to date on the Accountability Framework initiative by subscribing for updates at 23/26

24 Accountability Framework development process Testing and refinement Company participation in progressive rounds of development, review & refinement AFi scoping and content development on social accountability and the finance sector Engaging stakeholders in commodity-producing regions AFi Working Groups (Land, Verification, Reporting & Disclosure) October 2017 Core document 1 st draft for consultation Early to mid 2018 Core document Version 1 released Mid 2018 Operational Manual 1 st draft for consultation Late 2018 Operational Manual released Ongoing Work with users to promote uptake and application of the Framework 24/26

25 On to the draft Framework document Now that you have viewed this introductory presentation, please visit the initiative s website ( to read and comment on the Accountability Framework draft core document. Thank you! The AFi partners look forward to your input. 25/26

26 accountability-framework.org