Amsterdam Declarations on Eliminating Deforestation & fully Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain by 2020 Actions and Status 2016-2017
Imported deforestation agricultural commodities (EC report 2013-063) Deforestation is 24% of the climate change problem (IPCC). The main driver of deforestation is commodity expansion (cattle ranching and crops). 2/3 production is not traded internationally. 80% related to soy, palm oil and cocoa = 5.92 Mha Beef? -> limited export to AD-group?
The AD Group imported 74% of all European palm oil. Mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, but also from inter alia Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, Colombia, Thailand,
The Amsterdam Declarations AD-goal: Sustainable, deforestation-free commodity import by 2020 (palm oil, cocoa, soy. Maybe also coffee, beef, paper& pulp, rubber) Climate Change agenda: reduce GHG emissions, adaptation Support to voluntary private sector commitments and initiatives, e.g. the European Sustainable Palm Oil Initiative (ESPO) Non-legally binding, political declarations Process-oriented approach (influencing key processes) Joined actions, common diplomacy (bilateral, multilateral) Work through partner organisations and partnerships AD Strategy adopted in December 2016
The AD Strategy (1) 1. Facilitate European action on Climate, Deforestation and Trade: 7 Coordination Meetings, 2 Multi-Stakeholder meetings; since start Norway, France, Italy joined; influence Council conclusions; trade negotiations; discuss details green public procurement; support for Action Plan Deforestation (call made in EC Agri Council 11 Oct). EP resolution 4 April 2017 calls MS to join ADs. 2. Stimulate Global Value Chain Approach: Facilitate company commitments; promote partnerships such as ESPO (palm oil 100% RSPO or equivalent); CFI (cocoa 100% deforestation-free); but also strengthen in-country initiatives like ESPO national alliances, GISCO, Ethical Trade Initiatives, etc.. Enhance synergy with landscape approaches and jurisdictional approaches: IDH; BioCF-ISFL; CAFI; Althelia Climate Fund; andgreen Fund; TFA 2020; UK P4F; GEF. Promote cross-learning.
The AD Strategy (2) 3. Enhance the dialogue with major consumer-producer countries: Diplomacy and dialogue Africa: Cocoa CFI; Central African Forest Initiative; via TFA2020 Asia: China,, Indonesia, Malaysia Latin America: Brazil, Colombia. Mato Grosso joined TFA2020. Other: G20 Agriculture ministers statement (Jan 2017) 4. Monitoring, transparency and CSR reporting: Integrate deforestation and climate in CSR reporting and enhance third party monitoring. Dialogue with ESPO to improve palm oil monitoring TRASE, CDP, Forest500, CI Supply Change, WRI-GFW, NepCON Dialogue with voluntary certification standards
Monitoring progress to the AD-goals Outside sphere-of-control: deforestation developments in producer countries. What will we monitor? 1.Monitoring influencing processes (the AD Strategy): Various process-related indicators. Influence direct and indirect through partners (attribution difficult). 2.Monitoring the goal of sustainable, deforestation-free import : Proxy indicator: volume of certified commodity X imported into the signatory countries Primary data from EUROSTAT and ITC-COMSTAT (Norway) Depend on third party monitoring e.g. national initiatives (e.g. ESPO report!), partnerships, NGOs (e.g. TRASE, GFW, CDP).
Monitoring certified (deforestation-free) import Definitions used from FAO and CBD. Because of GHG-emissions also carbon value important (high carbon stock approach?). Level of certified import: relevant voluntary sustainability standards: Cut-off date on deforestation Protection of primary forests, natural areas, High Conservation Value Areas, High Carbon Stock Areas, Main standards in volume; related to European import Principles and criteria beyond legal compliance as a minimum = RSPO (food), ISCC (biodiesel) and RA-SAN (small) ISPO and MSPO are public, mandatory and allow legal deforestation Deforestation areas and link with commodity expansion? Certified areas in producer country?
Palm oil use and certification 2016: 3.7 million tonnes (52%) used by food industry 2016: 3.4 million tonnes (48%) used for biodiesel. Biodiesel falls under EU-Renewable Energy Directive. ENVI Committee voted 23-10-2017 to stop use of rapeseed, palm oil and soy for biodiesel per 2021. ESPO-alliances (food sector mainly) Does not cover total import. Denmark: 100% Alliance France: 98% Alliance Germany: 100% Alliance, 79% food sector Italy:100% Alliance Netherlands: 90% food sector, (NL feed sector 100%) Norway: 100% Alliance United Kingdom: 87-103% total import
RSPO and RA certified areas (2014) No data available for ISCC. Indonesia: harvested area (69% of planted area): 17% certified. Malaysia: harvested area (87% of planted area): 25% certified.
Towards 2020 Gap analysis palm oil: import, uses and uptake Facilitate commitment by more companies. Monitor contribution ISPO and MSPO to AD-goals, smallholder inclusion, forest governance and enforcement. Enhance dialogue. Enhance monitoring and transparency (production & uptake). E.g. better and clear data regarding deforestation and drivers. Enhance insight in impact of certified areas and import on deforestation. And what does this mean in climate change terms (GHG) Enhance more synergy between production and demand. Work on synergy between (certified) supply chains and landscapes / jurisdictions. Facilitate more involvement of all stakeholders and effective implementation.
Thank you for your attention! Support Unit Amsterdam Declarations Mekon Ecology Peter de Koning pdk@mekonecology.net