As the global climate crisis intensifies, innovative and collaborative strategies are gaining momentum to mitigate environmental degradation, deforestation, and the broader effects of climate change. One such initiative, Earthqualizer’s Landscape and Recovery Program, stands out as a beacon of hope. This programme leverages landscape-level actions to address complex environmental challenges while fostering partnerships with influential stakeholders.
Landscape approaches emphasise the interconnectedness of ecosystems, communities, and industries. These large-scale strategies aim to harmonise environmental conservation with sustainable development, ensuring that both people and nature thrive. Earthqualizer’s programme exemplifies this approach by addressing the root causes of deforestation and degradation, providing a robust framework for recovery and re-entry into sustainable supply chains.
To this end, Earthqualizer, together with our partners, has developed a model that not only rectifies past environmental harm but also sets a standard for future sustainability practices. This model underscores the importance of aligning corporate responsibility with environmental stewardship to create resilient landscapes that benefit both communities and the planet.
The adoption of No Deforestation, Peat, and Exploitation (NDPE) policies in 2015 marked a pivotal moment in the palm oil industry’s sustainability journey. These policies were introduced to combat deforestation and exploitation often associated with palm oil production, pushing companies to adopt more responsible practices.
NDPE policies have yielded positive outcomes, including a notable reduction in deforestation rates driven by palm oil expansion. However, their implementation has faced challenges, particularly in recovery work and achieving widespread adoption among palm oil growers. While these policies effectively exclude non-compliant suppliers, they highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to address the underlying causes of deforestation and exploitation.
Recovery initiatives have since emerged as critical tools to close this gap. By focusing on reintegrating deforestation-linked suppliers into sustainable supply chains, these initiatives promote a more inclusive and holistic approach to sustainability. NDPE policies are no longer just about exclusion; they are evolving into frameworks that drive recovery, accountability, and long-term environmental protection.
At the heart of Earthqualizer’s Landscape and Recovery Initiative lies the Recovery and Re-Entry Program—a transformative initiative aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating suppliers previously excluded from NDPE-compliant supply chains. This programme is designed to provide a structured pathway for addressing past environmental harm, ensuring accountability, and fostering a culture of sustainability within the palm oil sector.
The Recovery and Re-Entry Program is built on two key pillars:
10 Recovery and Re-Entry Criteria
These criteria, a legacy of the Sundaland process, serve as guiding principles for supplier reintegration. They encompass a wide range of sustainability benchmarks, from policy development and planning to recovery implementation and ongoing monitoring. By adhering to these criteria, suppliers demonstrate their commitment to addressing past violations and preventing future harm.
Recovery Liability Assessment (RLA) Confirmation Procedure
This robust assessment tool ensures that suppliers take full responsibility for their past actions. By quantifying environmental liabilities and outlining clear recovery expectations, the RLA provides a transparent and accountable framework for remediation.
The programme operates in key palm oil-growing regions across Indonesia, spanning eight provinces and 12 districts. With the potential to protect approximately 600,000 hectares of forest and carbon stock, it represents a significant step forward in safeguarding critical ecosystems. By focusing on regions with high deforestation risks, the programme not only mitigates environmental degradation but also promotes sustainable economic development for local communities.
Earthqualizer’s Recovery and Re-Entry Initiative exemplifies the power of collaborative action in tackling complex environmental challenges. By integrating innovative policies like NDPE with structured recovery frameworks, the programme addresses past harm while setting a course for a sustainable future.
The partnerships which we have built for this program further highlights the potential for corporate entities to drive meaningful change. By aligning their supply chain practices with NDPE principles, companies can demonstrate that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand. This alignment not only enhances supply chain resilience but also contributes to global efforts to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.
Ultimately, the Landscape and Recovery Initiative reminds us that addressing the climate crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. By combining landscape-level actions, robust recovery frameworks, and strategic partnerships, we can create a world where economic growth and environmental conservation coexist in harmony. The journey is challenging, but with collective effort and innovative solutions, a sustainable future is within reach.
Established in 2019, Earthqualizer Foundation is a non-profit organization with international experience, rooted in the interests of local communities and dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources. We are committed to transforming commodity supply chains for the benefit of people and nature. Our work blends environmental recovery with government and corporate responsibility, and social justice.
Earthqualizer operates at the nexus of government, industry and civil society in Southeast Asia, weaving these threads together to achieve tangible and lasting results that strengthen sustainability. To know more and find our latest news or publications, please visit https://earthqualizer.org/news-and-publications
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