Sustainability initiatives support programme
We have a wealth of experience in helping to write sustainability standards and certification scheme policies and procedures – and in facilitating participatory processes to develop them. We also have expertise in accreditation, certification, chain-of-custody schemes and how to make such schemes accessible to small-scale producers. See below for an overview of our experience.-
Development of the Global HCVF Toolkit and national HCV interpretations
WWF-IKEA partnership and other partners | 2001 ongoing
The High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) toolkit was the first comprehensive guidance on the HCV concept. It has been widely adopted by NGOs, companies, auditors and other stakeholders as the template for identifying, managing and monitoring HCVs and as the basis for national HCV interpretations. Read more
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Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS) support
RTRS | 2007 ongoing
Soy production is expanding rapidly worldwide, for use in food, animal feed and as biofuel. This relentless expansion brings with it environmental and social impacts, and calls for more sustainable management. Read more
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RSPO Principles & Criteria Review
For RSPO | 2012 ongoing
The Proforest Initiative has been invited to facilitate the review of the Principles and Criteria of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). This will be their first full review since their introduction in 2007. The revised Principles and Criteria are expected to be ready by the end of 2012. Read more
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Benchmarking voluntary standards – toward harmonization
With ISEAL alliance, GIZ and RSB | 2011 ongoing
The Sustainability Standards Transparency Initiative (SSTI) is a multi-stakeholder project seeking to develop a methodology for comparison between certification schemes. Read more
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Certification system support for Bonsucro
Bonsucro | 2011 ongoing
Bonsucro is a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of sugar cane production. It has developed a certification scheme to recognize well-managed sugarcane production, and to track sustainably produced sugarcane products through the supply chain. Read more
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Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
RSPO | 2003 ongoing
Palm oil is an ingredient in a vast range of products from cosmetics to foods, as well as a source of biodiesel. But its production can cause severe environmental and social impacts, especially where tropical forests are converted to oil palm plantations. In 2003, the RSPO invited Proforest to lead the process of developing a standard for sustainable palm oil production. Read more
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REDD+ Social and Environmental Standards
For Care International and CCBA | 2009 ongoing
Many national and regional processes for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) are currently under development. However, there is a growing awareness of the need for effective social and environmental safeguards for REDD+ programmes. Read more
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The High Conservation Value (HCV) Resource Network
HCV Resource Network | 2006 ongoing
The HCV Resource Network is a global initiative involving organisations as diverse as Greenpeace, FSC and the World Bank, which aims to contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of critical social and environmental values of forests and other ecosystems through the use of the High Conservation Value approach. Since its inception in 2006, Proforest has been acting as the Network’s secretariat. Read more
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Workshop on the potential synergies between REDD+ and sustainable agriculture
For DIFD and PRP | 2011
The Proforest Initiative facilitated a workshop convened by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Prince’s Rainforest Project (PRP) entitled ‘REDD+ and Agricultural Drivers of Deforestation: Informing REDD+ Strategies and Programmes’. Read more
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Exploring cotton scheme compatibility
For Cotton made in Africa and Better Cotton Initiative | 2011
Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) are exploring opportunities to collaborate with the aim of maximizing benefits for smallholder cotton producers. The Proforest Initiative has coordinated a series of independent collaborative studies of the schemes’ standards and policies. Read more
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Developing briefing material on REDD+ safeguards
For UN-REDD programme | 2010
REDD+, as an instrument to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has the potential to alleviate poverty, protect human rights, improve governance, and conserve biodiversity. However, the required policies and legal reforms and the potential channelling of funds to support REDD+ implementation also bear the risk of creating negative consequences for the poor and marginalised if the appropriate safeguards are not taken into account. Read more
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REDD+ co-benefits and the HCV concept
Supported by WWF and Norad | 2010
An assessment of co-benefits of REDD+ and opportunities for including carbon needs into the HCV concept. Read more
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RTRS EU RED Requirements
For RTRS | 2010
Drafting and submission to EU of additional Renewable Energy Directive requirements for the RTRS. Read more
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Review of terrestial carbon in tropical Africa
For FPAN | 2009 to 2010
A report commissioned by the Forests Philanthropy Action Network (FPAN) that assesses the scientific data on carbon stocks, emissions, and sequestration potential in tropical Africa and evaluates the effectiveness of various carbon projects. Read more
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Sustainably produced biomass for energy applications
CEN (European Committee for Standardization)/BSI (British Standards) | 2008 to 2009
Participation in the development of the CEN standard for sustainable biomass. Read more
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Farm Assessment for Better Cotton Production
For BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) | 2009
Advice provided to the Better Cotton Initiative via their expert Assessment Programme Working Group Read more
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Development of supply chain controls for RSPO
DOEN Foundation | 2006 to 2009
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Indicators analysis for Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels
for RSB | 2009
Analysis of relevant indicators in other certification schemes for RSB. Read more
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Development of verification requirements for oil palm certification
For RSPO | 2006 to 2008
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Advice on multi-stakeholder Governance Options
For Better Sugarcane Initiative (BSI) | 2008
Advice to BSI on options for membership structure and governance of their multi-stakeholder organization. Read more
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WWF-UK 95+ Group
For WWF-UK | Europe | 2004 to 2006
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Development of the Basel Criteria for Responsible Soy Production
Coop Switzerland | 2004
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Assessment of the potential for sustainability standards in mining
IIED | 2001