GPSNR Working Groups Update: September 2022

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Strategy and Objectives Working Group

The assurance model taskforce, which sits under the umbrella of this working group, worked on establishing KPIs, GPSNR and Company targets, and tasking the KPIs to other working groups, categories and members. Its other subgroup on risk is currently working on a proposal for the definition of polygons in the EU Deforestation Regulation based on a request from GPSNR member ETRMA.

Smallholder Representation Working Group

After completing its first round of pilot agroforestry workshops in Indonesia, the working group has its next round planned in Cambodia at the end of October 2022. Subsequently, they are preparing for country-based focus group discussions on the Smallholders Policy Equivalent and for the GPSNR-HCSA Smallholder Toolkit Field Trials.

Policy Toolbox Working Group

The group is working on finalizing the TORs for the Year 1 Reporting Review to be conducted in the first quarter of next year. They are also assessing if any changes to reporting framework and its details (i.e. process, extensions, questions) are needed based on the Year 1 Reporting Review results.

Capacity Building Working Group

The group is currently evaluating proposals to appoint a software developer for the second phase of the GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform. They will also soon be kicking off the Disease Fighting Project with SNV-IRRI in Indonesia, after having recently completed the first milestone of the SNV-Proforest GAP coaching in the country. They continue to seek members’ funding for capacity building projects in Indonesia (second stream of disease fighting) and Cote d’Ivoire (training centres). To know more, you can find the project details here.

 

Shared Responsibility Working Group

The group is working on the deliverables discussed for each of its sub working groups during the in-person meetings, and will present findings to the membership on 15th November 2022.

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Platform Updates for August

Baseline Reporting Requirements Pilot Testing

The Baseline Reporting Requirements, developed by the Policy Toolbox Working Group, is a document that indicates certain qualitative and quantitative sustainability data to be reported to the Secretariat. Back in June, we invited GPSNR members to volunteer to be part of a pilot testing for these Baseline Reporting Requirements. Since then, we have had 12 member companies coming forward to contribute their time and efforts to the exercise. These member companies consist of processors, tire makers and one car maker. As part of the pilot testing, each company was given access to a secure reporting platform where they could input the necessary reporting data.  

The Secretariat has conducted in-depth interviews with ten of the volunteer members so far. Following this, all feedback and data received will be reviewed, with the view to refine the Baseline Reporting Requirements in preparation for the formal launch in the near future.

Strategy and Objectives Working Group

The Working Group has commenced an extension of the study on Human Rights and Labour Rights’ Risk Mapping in the Global Natural Rubber Value Chains conducted by independent consultants James Griffiths & Associates Sàrl. This extension will see the consultant preparing an Annex to the main report that focuses on “equity issues” in the global natural rubber value chain. The objective of this extension is to understand current levels of equity (or inequity) along the natural rubber supply chain and identify where these could pose a threat to ecological, social and economic sustainability.

The report will also touch on how GPSNR’s current definition of “equity” compares to definitions used by others in related sectors or related risk assessments, providing suggested revisions to GPSNR’s definition where appropriate.

The Equity sub-Group published four Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in mid August, for studies on the Living Income Gap in the global natural rubber value chain. These initial studies will focus on collecting information and metrics from four countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand. The deadline for submission of proposals is over. The Secretariat has received several proposals and will be evaluating them before presenting them to the sub-Working Group for consideration.

‘Traceability and Transparency’ Working Group

The two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that the Working Group has been developing were also published in mid August. The deadline for submission of proposals was last week.

The first RFP is for a study that will assess the methodologies of existing traceability and transparency tools and how they match up against the traceability and transparency requirements of GPSNR members. 

The second RFP is for a study that will compare existing and currently under-development GIS databases and mapping tools along with their mapping approaches through research and interviews.

The Secretariat has received several proposals and is in the process of evaluating them. The Working Group will make the final decision thereafter.

GPSNR Working Groups Update: August 2023

Strategy and Objectives Working Group:

In recent developments within the Risk Subgroup, significant progress has been made. Consortiums Agridence and Koltiva have delivered their conclusive reports, which have been duly circulated among the members. The Risk Subgroup extended an invitation to ASI, requesting insights into the formulation of the Risk Assessment Framework. This move aims to ensure the adaptability of the framework to the many different risk tools that exist in the  Natural Rubber Industry. Collaborative efforts are also underway, as the Risk Subgroup and ASI work together on an inaugural pilot trial, focusing on setting Indonesia’s national risk parameters.

Meanwhile, significant strides have been taken in the realm of the Assurance Model Taskforce. Resolutions have been shared within the Strategy and Objectives Working Group, inviting constructive feedback. The completion of the Due Diligence System falls under the purview of ZSL, marking a substantial accomplishment.

The Risk Subgroup is engaging in early-stage discussions with the Basel Institution, exploring a potential collaboration concerning corruption risks within the supply chain.

Further negotiations between the Risk Subgroup and ASI encompass a range of key initiatives, including the preconfiguration of National Risk Levels, the refinement of the Risk Tool’s questionnaire, and harmonising National Risk levels with other established risk assessment tools used within the GPSNR community. ASI is entrusted with designing the GPSNR Assurance Model; and a draft Framework has been shared.

Smallholders Representation and Capacity Building (SCB) Working Group:

In recent updates, several advancements have occurred. The Indonesia National Subgroup has reported quarterly progress to the SCB WG for the GAP Coaching and Disease Fighting projects.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, the National Subgroup has completed proposal evaluations, leading to the selection of Koltiva for the Thailand GAP Coaching project.

A notable achievement is the official endorsement from the SCB WG for the final recommendations report of the Smallholders Policy-Equivalent (SPE).

Concurrently, the Agroforestry-Income Diversification taskforce has successfully finalised contractual arrangements and is actively overseeing projects in Indonesia.

Preparations are underway in the Thailand Agroforestry subgroup for upcoming training discussions scheduled for October 2023. Similarly, the Thailand GAP subgroup is taking steps to initiate its project.

On the technological front, the Digital Knowledge Sharing Platform (KSP) task force is making progress in developing features, anticipating the forthcoming piloting phase.

The HCSA-HCVN Field Trials task force is focused on refining the final report for subsequent submission to the SCB WG.

Looking ahead, the Agroforestry-Income Diversification Taskforce is gearing up for a series of agroforestry workshops planned for 2023-2024.

Cross-group collaboration is evident as the Thailand Agroforestry subgroup plans a knowledge exchange session with the Agroforestry-Income Diversification taskforce and Indonesian smallholder, Pak Febrius SW, with a focus on Rubber Agroforestry.

Lastly, the SCB WG is proactively organising calls with smallholders from diverse countries as part of their preparations for the upcoming October 2023 General Assembly.

Policy Toolbox Working Group:

A resolution along with its corresponding Annex was drafted, aiming for Year 2 Disclosure Requirements. These were slated for submission to the 5th General Assembly (GA).

Consultant Petra Westerlaan presented a proposal to the WG that outlined revisions to the GPSNR Reporting Framework. This proposal resulted from a comprehensive comparison with other reporting frameworks, including CDP Forest, GRI, and ZSL-SPOTT. The proposed revisions emphasised quantification, which would enhance data aggregation and simplify the assessment of annual progress.

Subsequent to the GA, the WG will scrutinise Petra’s proposed revisions and arrive at a consensus on changes to the Reporting Matrix.. Sufficient lead time is essential for companies to prepare their Year 3 data.

Once agreement is reached on revisions to the Reporting Matrix, the WG will proceed to define the disclosure requirements for Year 3 reporting. This sequential approach ensures a methodical and informed evolution of the GPSNR reporting process.

Shared Responsibility Working Group: 

During the face-to-face meeting, the Governance and guiding principles were introduced. Manufacturers are in the process of obtaining internal approval for the Governance Framework. They will subsequently furnish a final version for approval from the GPSNR Executive Committee (EC) and the General Assembly.

A draft resolution was shared with the Working Group (WG) and received approval for distribution to members for feedback.

Collaborating with the Capacity Building WG, the WG is developing a protocol to screen and assess proposals. This evaluation process will be based on the Equity definition and stakeholders as outlined by the EC.

One of the  co-chair seats in the Shared Responsibility WG is available, and a call for volunteers has been initiated.

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