Introduction to the - Accountability Framework€¦ · The Accountability Framework supports companies and others on the journey to eliminate deforestation, conversion, and human

November 2019

The Accountability Framework supports companies and others on the journey to eliminate deforestation, conversion, and human rights violations from supply chains. The Framework serves as a guide at each stage of this ethical supply chain journey.

Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey

© 2019 Accountability Framework initiative. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER: This work product is intended to be advisory only and is not intended to serve as a legal opinion or legal advice on the matters treated. The reader is encouraged to engage counsel to the extent required.

The Accountability Framework was created through a consultative process with a wide range of stakeholders including companies, NGOs, and government, and following applicable good practices for multi-stakeholder initiatives.

The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) Steering Group includes a diverse group of civil society partners including representatives from the following organizations:

The AFi Backbone Team (secretariat) is co-led by the Rainforest Alliance and the Meridian Institute.

For more information on the AFi and the Framework development process, please visit www.accountability-framework.org

The AFi is funded by:

Contents

About the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) 1

The Ethical Supply Chain Journey 2

Applying the Framework on the Journey 3-7

How to get started 3

Set commitments 4

Take action 5

Demonstrate progress 7

Contents of the Accountability Framework 8

01Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey

About the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi)

The sponsoring organisations of the AFi envision a world where forests and other natural ecosystems are conserved for their many values, where human rights are universally respected, where responsible production and trade are the norm, where gender equality is achieved, and where rural people and communities are included in decision-making and thrive while serving as effective stewards of the land.

The AFi is a collaborative effort to accelerate progress and improve accountability for ethical supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry.

In June 2019, the AFi released the Accountability Framework, a set of common norms, definitions, and guidance for establishing, implementing, and demonstrating progress on these commitments.

For more information: www.accountability-framework.org

Continuous improvement

Assess, learn, and adapt over time


• Monitor and verify compliance and progress in commonly accepted ways.

• Report progress and outcomes related to the implementation of commitments.

• Make credible claims on progress toward fulfilling commitments.

• Assess risk, establish traceability, and manage supplier compliance and improvement processes.

• Follow best practices in land use planning and long-term protection of forests and other natural ecosystems.

• Reconcile voluntary commitments with relevant legal frameworks.

• Identify and address issues related to land rights and workers’ rights.

• Remedy prior violations of commitments or other adverse impacts to natural ecosystems, people, or communities.

The Ethical Supply Chain JourneyThree stages to eliminate deforestation, conversion, and human rights violations from supply chains

• Establish new ethical supply chain commitments or review and refresh current commitments.

• Apply common terms, definitions, and metrics to link company policy to accepted norms.

• Specify key commitment details related to halting deforestation, protecting other natural ecosystems, and respecting human rights.

Set Commitments Take Action Demonstrate ProgressDevelop new commitments or refresh current commitments

Implement policies and practices to fulfill commitments

Monitor and document progress in a credible way

Continuous improvement

Assess, learn, and adapt over time


Applying the Accountability Framework on the Ethical Supply Chain JourneyHow the Framework can support companies and others in achieving success on the journey

How to get startedAssess where you are on the ethical supply chain journey:

Are you working to refresh an existing commitment or to set a new commitment?

Set Commitments Demonstrate ProgressTake Action

What activities, systems, and processes are needed for effective implementation of commitments?

How should your company monitor and document progress toward compliance with commitments?

Apply the Framework at each stage: A high-level summary of the key elements for setting, implementing, and

monitoring effective supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry

Specific and practical detail related to putting the Core Principles into practice

Clarification of key concepts used throughout the Core Principles and Operational Guidance

Core Principles

Operational Guidance

Terms and Definitions


Stage 1: Set CommitmentsDevelop new commitments or refresh current commitments

Activities

Framework References

Determine content of no-deforestation and no-conversion commitments

Determine content of human rights commitments

Specify commitments in a clear, strong, and credible manner

OG = Operational Guidance

OG on Applying the Definitions

OG on Respecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

OG on Environmental Restoration and Compensation

OG on the Relationship Between Voluntary Commitments and Applicable Law

OG on Free, Prior and Informed Consent

OG on Cutoff Dates

OG on Long-Term Protection (forthcoming)

OG on Remediation and Access to Remedy




Core Principle 1 Core Principle 3Core Principle 2


Stage 2: Take ActionImplement policies and practices to fulfill commitments

Activities


Establish company systems to implement commitments

Assess risk and achieve traceability

Engage, support, and manage suppliers

Responsibly establish new development

OG on Supply Chain Management

OG on Supply Chain Management

OG on Smallholder Inclusion in Ethical Supply Chains

OG on Smallholder Inclusion in Ethical Supply Chains

OG on Achieving Commitments Through Collaboration

Core Principle 4 Core Principle 6 Core Principle 7Core Principle 5

OG on Respecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

OG on Free, Prior and Informed Consent



Terms and DefinitionsTerms and Definitions



Take ActionContinued...

Activities


Ensure long-term protection of ecological and cultural values

Provide for access to remedy, including restoration

Collaborate to support broader sustainability

OG on Remediation and Access to Remedy


Core Principle 8 Core Principle 10Core Principle 9

OG on Long-Term Protection (forthcoming)

OG on Environmental Restoration and Compensation

OG on Achieving Commitments Through Collaboration





Stage 3: Demonstrate ProgressMonitor and document progress in a credible way

Activities


Conduct monitoring and verification

Demonstrate progress through reporting, disclosure, and claims


OG on Monitoring and Verification

OG on Reporting, Disclosure, and Claims

Terms and DefinitionsTerms and Definitions

Core Principle 11 Core Principle 12


Contents of the Accountability Framework

Core PrinciplesA high-level summary of the key elements for setting, implementing, and monitoring effective supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry

Operational GuidanceSpecific and practical detail related to putting the Core Principles into practice

DefinitionsKey terms that are used in the Core Principles and Operational Guidance

1 Protection of forests and other ecosystems

2 Respect for human rights

3 Specification of commitments

4 Company systems

7 Land use

10 External relations

5 Traceability

8 Land management

6 Supply chain management

9 Remedy & remediation

11 Monitoring & verification

12 Reporting & disclosure

How to Apply the Definitions on Deforestation and Conversion

Relationship Between Voluntary Commitments and Applicable Law

Cutoff Dates

Respecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)

Smallholders

Achieving Commitments Through Collaboration

Supply Chain Management

Remediation and Access to Remedy

Environmental Restoration and Compensation

Monitoring and Verification

Reporting and Disclosure

Set Commitments

Take Action

Demonstrate Progress


www.accountability-framework.org

Documents

Introduction to the - Accountability Framework€¦ · The Accountability Framework supports companies and others on the journey to eliminate deforestation, conversion, and human