Progress on Re-Engagement by TFT with GAR's Upstream Plantation Operations

Progress on Re-Engagement by TFT with GAR’s Upstream Plantation Operations

Posted: Aug 11, 2015 • 3 minute read • GAR • 724 views

Following the suspension of TFT’s work with GAR on its upstream operations, announced on May 19th 2015, the two organisations agreed on a series of time-bound conditions which both TFT and GAR hope will see a return to full collaboration within the coming months. This document represents a public summary of the progress that GAR has made towards the completion of the criteria.

No	Strategic Conditions	GAR Progress
1.	New Sustainability/Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) implementation team in place reporting at the highest level, with a re-energised commitment to working with TFT in a spirit of sharing and collaboration.	GAR has made progress by putting a strong Social and Environmental Policy implementation team in place. The team structure has been finalized together with TFT. GAR will continue with recruitment to ensure the team upholds GAR’s new Social and Environmental Policy.
2.	GAR’s Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) has been reviewed and enhanced to adopt a leading edge industry position (to be published by the end of July 2015).	GAR’s new Social and Environmental Policy was finalized on 28 July together with TFT and will be shared with key stakeholders prior to being published, to ensure that a leading edge industry position is adopted. The planned publication date, agreed with TFT, is September 2015.
3.	All development/planting must be in line with this new and enhanced FCP.	GAR will ensure all development/planting is in line with GAR’s new Social and Environmental Policy.
4.	Engage key stakeholders to discuss the establishment of a conservation and restoration initiative to address legacy issues.	GAR is exploring options for a funding mechanism to address legacy issues. Pending details on its scope, structure and projects, GAR is focused on cross-industry initiatives to support such conservation and restoration initiatives. Initial discussions have been held with TFT and other stakeholders.
5.	Continue KADIN/IPOP communications/engagement (along with other related institutions) to support advocacy for a pro-conservation regulatory environment.	GAR continues to participate in communication with various stakeholders to support advocacy for a pro-conservation regulatory environment.
6.	Work with TFT to ensure all third party suppliers are brought into line with the requirements of the enhanced FCP and that a process is in place to address non-compliant suppliers which is strongly adhered to.	GAR continues to work closely with TFT to ensure full traceability to mill by the end of December 2015 and progress to date is available on GAR’s online dashboard. A new grievance mechanism is available on the dashboard.
7.	Take part in a pilot assessment for TFT’s Grassroots Initiative, thereby supporting the building of capacity in Indonesian civil society to monitor company’s impacts on the physical and social environment.	GAR has confirmed it will support TFT’s Grassroots Initiative.

No	Operational Conditions	GAR Progress
1.	Conservation Maps are reviewed for all PTs to agree areas for active conservation.	GAR and TFT are in the process of preparing conservation maps for 18 PTs. Indicative HCS areas will be finalized by end of August, and the final conservation maps are pending inputs from participatory mapping, HCV, and the final phase of the HCS decision tree in consultation with other stakeholders. Conservation maps will be completed for seven of the 18 PTs by the end of December 2015. Two of the seven maps will be final, and five of the seven will be indicative. Before the maps can be considered ‘final’, they will be consulted on and socialized with the communities to determine if they agree on the conservation the areas, and, where applicable, potential compensation for the communities. If some communities do not want to conserve, GAR will try other approaches and will offer alternative livelihood programmes.
2.	Progress to close the gaps from the TFT Risk Assessments and Due Diligence work plans and Corrective Action Requests (CARs).	GAR’s goal is to close out 79% of gaps from 12 PTs by the end of December 2015. As per a desk review TFT conducted in July 2015, GAR had closed out 62% of the gaps. TFT will conduct field verification in August on progress made in the 12 PTs and will document findings in a progress report by mid-September.
3.	Restoration for HCS breaches and riparian zones.	GAR has identified a site and appointed MEC to work on restoration of HCS breaches and riparian zones. Phase 1 of this work, social and biophysical baseline study, is expected to be completed by 31 October 2015.
4.	Forest Peoples Programme (FPP)/Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) issues are being addressed.	GAR has discussed the issues with both RSPO and FPP and agreed a set of action plans to resolve most complaints by FPP. GAR aims to come into agreement with RSPO and FPP to resolve all issues by October 2015.
5.	No breaches in conservation areas by GAR based on indicative conservation maps.	GAR continues to uphold the GAR’s new Social and Environmental Policy including no clearance in conservation areas