Building on the foundation of Earthqualizer’s Landscape and Recovery Initiative, the collaboration between Unilever and Earthqualizer has become a transformative example of how companies can integrate sustainability into their supply chains. In 2023, Unilever partnered with Earthqualizer to develop a comprehensive recovery program centred on the 10 Recovery and Re-Entry Criteria and the Recovery Liability Assessment (RLA).
Through this partnership and by prioritising accountability, Unilever underscores the importance of addressing deforestation and environmental harm at their root, while also reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices.
The initiative delivers wide-ranging benefits that extend beyond the immediate participants. It enhances the resilience of Unilever’s supply chains, ensuring stability in the face of environmental and market challenges. It also aligns seamlessly with broader sustainability frameworks, such as the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) and Scope-3 carbon reduction goals, enabling Unilever to strengthen its environmental commitments. Furthermore, the initiative contributes to forest conservation and biodiversity protection, key elements of the global fight against climate change.
Central to the success of this initiative is its three-part framework. This structured approach ensures that every step of the recovery process is transparent, accountable, and aligned with NDPE principles.
The process begins with identifying suppliers that are potential candidates for recovery.
These are typically companies linked to deforestation through their concessions, corporate structures, or acquisitions. Once identified, a detailed assessment is conducted to quantify the environmental liabilities associated with each candidate.
The liability assessment is a critical step, as it defines the extent of past harm, the scope of restoration required, and the additionality needed to offset previous violations.This stage lays the foundation for effective remediation.
The RLA is a cornerstone of the program, ensuring that recovery efforts are both rigorous and credible. This procedure formalises the supplier’s responsibilities and outlines the actions needed to address past deforestation or exploitation. The RLA serves as a binding agreement, holding suppliers accountable for their environmental impact while guiding them towards sustainable practices.
The final part of the framework is the implementation of the 10 Recovery and Re-Entry Criteria, divided into three key stages:
1. Policy & Planning
This stage focuses on establishing the foundations for recovery. Suppliers are required to publish commitments, halt harmful activities, and develop detailed Timebound Plans (TBP). These plans act as blueprints, outlining specific activities, milestones, and timelines for recovery projects.
2. Recovery Implementation
At this stage, the emphasis shifts to executing the TBP. Suppliers must demonstrate transparency through regular reporting and adherence to NDPE principles. This stage includes active restoration efforts, engagement with local communities, and the implementation of sustainable practices.
3. Monitoring
The final stage involves ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that recovery efforts remain effective and aligned with initial commitments. Reporting frequencies may vary, but continuous oversight is maintained to track progress and address emerging challenges.
An example of a recovery approach is the application of social forestry as a recovery strategy. This approach integrates environmental restoration with community development, creating benefits to both nature and people.
In one case, social forestry was used to fulfil a supplier’s re-entry obligations, resulting in a win-win scenario. Forest restoration targets were met while local communities gained economic and social benefits. By empowering communities to manage and restore forests sustainably, the program not only addressed past harm but also fostered long-term stewardship of natural resources.
This success story highlights the broader potential of recovery programs. Beyond NDPE re-entry, these frameworks can be adapted for a wide range of applications, including jurisdiction-level conservation, climate mitigation, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
As companies increasingly recognise the importance of sustainable practices, the principles established by Earthqualizer’s Recovery and Re-Entry Initiative offer valuable guidance. Whether through enhancing supply chain resilience, achieving carbon reduction targets, or promoting community-driven conservation, this program demonstrates the immense potential of recovery-focused initiatives to create lasting impact.
The collaboration between Unilever and Earthqualizer showcases a scalable model for addressing deforestation and fostering sustainable development. By combining rigorous frameworks with innovative recovery strategies, the program addresses immediate environmental concerns while laying the groundwork for systemic change.
As the program continues to evolve, it serves as a powerful reminder that sustainability is not just a goal but a journey—one that requires shared responsibility, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment.
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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