GPSNR Working Groups Update: June 2023

Share This Post

Strategy and Objectives Working Group: 

The Traceability pilot field trials for the Risk Subgroup, led by consortiums Agridence and Koltiva, are now in full swing. Agridence provided a midpoint update during the June Hybrid meetings, highlighting their progress thus far.

Looking ahead, the Risk Subgroup is actively strategizing the next steps for ASI’s deliverable on the Risk Assessment Framework. This includes conducting internal piloting and aligning the tool with GPSNR commissioned studies to identify any potential gaps.

In an effort to standardize country levels within the tool, the Risk Subgroup will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to engage consultants who can contribute their expertise. Furthermore, the Risk Subgroup is in the preliminary stages of discussions with the Basel Institution, exploring a potential collaboration to address corruption risks in the supply chain. 

The Assurance Model Task force will convene to receive updates on the alignment of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the due diligence system, ensuring that progress is being made and objectives are being met. In order to create an Assurance Manual under the Members Progress Model, an RFP will be crafted and sent to consultants. This step aims to gather the necessary input and expertise to develop a comprehensive manual.

 

Smallholders Representation and Capacity Building (SCB) Working Group: 

The Smallholders Policy-Equivalent (SPE) Taskforce has successfully presented the final recommendations to the SCB WG, marking a significant milestone in their work. They are actively working towards obtaining endorsement from the SCB WG for their final recommendations as outlined in the report.

The HCSA-HCVN Field Trials have reached an important stage, with the preliminary final report being submitted for review and assessment. The HCSA-HCVN will soon submit the final report, marking the completion of this endeavor.

In an effort to promote knowledge sharing, the digital Knowledge Sharing Platform (KSP) Taskforce organised a meeting on 24th May 2023 for SCB WG members. The objective was to facilitate a better understanding of the KSP, and the service provider has already begun developing new features for the platform.

The Indonesia National Subgroup has taken the initiative to prepare quarterly progress reports for the GAP Coaching and Disease Fighting projects, providing updates to the SCB WG.

Meanwhile, the Thailand National Subgroup is currently in the process of evaluating proposals received for the Thailand GAP Coaching project. The deadline for proposal submissions is 30th June 2023.

The Agroforestry-Income Diversification Taskforce is working to finalize the schedule of workshops planned for 2023-2024.

Lastly, the SCB WG will continue to oversee all ongoing projects.

 

Policy Toolbox Working Group: 

In order to enhance the reporting process, input has been collected from members through a survey and stakeholder-specific meetings as part of the Year 1 Reporting Review process. The feedback received will play a crucial role in informing revisions to the Reporting Matrix and disclosure requirements for Years 2 and 3, as outlined in the Transparent Reporting Roadmap (TRR). Furthermore, discussions are underway to reach an agreement on the TRR for Year 2 reporting, with the Working Group currently finalizing updates received from the OEMs. To reflect the proposed changes to the reporting matrix, the Reporting Guidance will be updated accordingly, providing clear and comprehensive guidelines for reporting.

The Working Group has carefully selected consultant Petra Westerlaan to propose a quantitative orientation for the reporting matrix. This includes conducting a crosswalk analysis with other established reporting frameworks such as CDP Forest, GRI, and ZSL-SPOTT. The integration of quantification will not only facilitate data aggregation but also simplify the evaluation of annual progress. The consultant’s proposed revisions to the reporting framework will be evaluated and decided upon, and recommendations will be made to improve the reporting process and timelines.

In parallel, the Compliance Panel Terms of Reference (TOR) and operational guidance are being finalized based on the Assurance Model, ensuring a robust framework for ensuring compliance and accountability.

 

Shared Responsibility Working Group: 

During the face-to-face meeting, the Governance and Guiding principles were presented, highlighting their importance in shaping the future direction of GPSNR. Manufacturers are now required to seek internal approval regarding the Governance Framework and subsequently provide a final version for approval to the GPSNR Executive Committee (EC) and General Assembly.

The SR WG is actively engaged in defining an inclusive shared investment framework, encompassing various forms of contribution such as in-kind support, financial contributions, and external funding. The outcomes of discussions at the Manufacturers category level will play a crucial role in shaping this framework.

Collaborating with the Secretariat and other WGs, the SR WG is committed to revamping discussions on data sharing and value transfer, recognizing their significance in achieving our objectives. These discussions will seek to optimize the sharing of data and the value derived from it.

To provide clarity and transparency, the WG aims to define the value and benefits associated with each category within GPSNR, ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the advantages and opportunities available.

Furthermore, the WG, in collaboration with the Capacity Building WG, is working on developing a protocol to filter and evaluate proposals based on the Equity definition and the stakeholders identified by the EC. This process will ensure fair and comprehensive evaluation of proposals.

Lastly, an open co-chair position is available, and volunteers are welcomed to contribute their expertise and leadership to drive the WG forward. If you are interested in taking on this role, please step forward and join us in this important endeavor.

By establishing effective governance, inclusive investment frameworks, and clear protocols, we are working towards a sustainable and equitable future for the natural rubber industry. Your participation and engagement are vital to our collective success.

More To Explore

News

Proposing National Strategies for Capacity Building

Following several rounds of further consultation amongst its members, the Capacity Building Working Group has finalized proposals for capacity building strategies for the four previously identified focus countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand. Within each of these proposals, the Working Group has defined key strategic approaches to best allow for immediate engagement and implementation. 

Each proposal sets out the issues that have been identified as threatening the sustainable production of natural rubber, underlying causes for these issues, as well as a main objective. Within each proposal, the Working Group has suggested various strategic approaches, providing a rationale for chosen actions, and proposing impacts and resources required. While the Working Group recognizes that the issues do not represent the full list of challenges that stand in the way of national rubber production becoming sustainable, it highlights that the focus is on strategic approaches that allow for immediate engagement and implementation.

These proposals have been submitted to the Executive Committee for review and approval, while the Working Group concurrently addresses final concerns around the proposed strategy around a CO2 compensation scheme.   

Looking ahead, detailed implementation plans and timelines will have to be developed upon approval of the proposed strategies. These are issues that the Working Group will be exploring in the weeks to come.

News

Launching the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber

Sustainable natural rubber, a Tire Industry Project priority

This, of course, means looking after the people, communities and natural resources touched by natural rubber production and supply – which all stand to benefit from the creation and adoption of sustainable practices and businesses.

TIP leading change

The tire industry consumes around 70 percent of natural rubber in the world and demand for natural rubber is growing, which throws into sharp relief the various social, economic and environmental opportunities associated with the production of this important commodity.

Together with other stakeholders, TIP members are working to transform the natural rubber supply chain for the better in developing the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) – an independent platform to lead improvements in the socio-economic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain.

An ambitious and wide-reaching set of priorities

Twelve months of stakeholder collaboration have resulted in development of an ambitious, wide-reaching, common set of priorities for the natural rubber supply chain. The GPSNR will work to harmonize standards to improve respect for human rights, prevent land-grabbing, protect biodiversity and water resources, improve yields, and increase supply chain transparency and traceability.

Mainstreaming for meaningful change

A review of comparable supply chain sustainability initiatives revealed that the mainstreaming of good practices is linked to the delivery of meaningful change at the global level. This is something that requires actionable commitment from the entire supply chain, and numerous different stakeholder groups have important roles to play. In the case of natural rubber, this includes tire manufacturers and other natural rubber-using industries (such as those producing rubber gloves, condoms and other engineered products), natural rubber suppliers and processors, representatives of individual smallholder producers, vehicle manufacturers, and non-governmental organizations.

Binding commitments

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link; it is in the interest of the entire supply chain to ensure sustainable standards are met and maintained. The GPSNR will have clear membership criteria and supply chain standards that members must commit to maintain effective involvement. Members of the GPSNR will undertake binding commitments, and the GPSNR will constructively address failures to honor those commitments and act decisively in the event of noncompliance with remedial measures.

Industry backed, collaboratively driven

TIP has spearheaded development of the GPSNR and will provide initial support for the platform during its first two years of start-up and operation. This necessary level of support ensures basic operations during the establishment of a paying membership base. From launch, the platform will be independently managed with governance and decision making overseen by a representative group of stakeholders.

TIP has employed a truly collaborative effort to ready the GPSNR for launch, and that spirit of collaboration will define the actions of the platform going forward. TIP is confident that the diverse interests, experiences, areas of expertise, and motivations represented within the GPSNR will combine to deliver a successful, sustainable natural rubber supply chain.

Join the platform

If you are a natural rubber stakeholder and would like to learn more about the GPSNR and membership opportunities, please contact stefano.savi@gpsnr.org

Scroll to Top