Deforestation free commodities supply chains in India

Deforestation Free Commodities Supply Chains in India

Overview

Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) has partnered with WWF India to undertake specific activities by engaging key stakeholders on deforestation free commodities supply chains in India – specifically edible oil and timber. The aim of these engagements has been to highlight the need for and identify opportunities from a balanced approach towards meeting the growing demand with little or no negative impact on forests and landscapes. In addition to engaging industry stakeholders in these commodities (edible oil and timber), the organisations would also initiate dialogues with downstream actors like retailers and e-commerce companies. Further, using evidence based on industry interactions, the organisations will also share perspectives and recommendations with relevant policymakers and influencers at the national, sectoral and regional levels.

Based on experiences of both the organisations on engaging the industry and related stakeholders on sustainable commodities’ value chains (especially in edible oil), this partnership focuses on the following broad areas:

Partnership with Industry Associations/Actors
Engaging Retailers & E-commerce companies
Knowledge Products
Policy Roundtables

Events in Partnership with Industry

Together with WWF, CRB identified two most relevant industry events (viz. RAI RLS 2022 and India Food Forum 2022) for organising dialogues on the subject and help network with a wide group of industry representatives and other key stakeholders
WWF was a ‘session partner’ at the CRB 2022 annual sustainability conference – India and Sustainability Standards 2022 (ISS 2022). A session was organised specifically on addressing deforestation in commodity supply chain especially focusing on the edible oil industry (specifically palm and soy in India). A panel comprising national and international experts were part of this session

Engagement with Retailers and E-commerce Companies

CRB is engaging with e-commerce companies and retailers to help create understanding about growing consumer ‘intent’ on sustainably sourced commodities, sustainable enterprises – especially those linked to deforestation free commodities. One of the aims of these dialogues has been to explore interest among retailers or e-commerce companies in India for initiating and executing joint activities in e-commerce and retail space. Activities already undertaken by WWF under its Consumer Campaign are being aligned with these planned engagements

Knowledge Products

CRB will identify experts and jointly develop 2 articles based on the relevant evidence and experiences in this partnership and beyond. CRB will prepare 2 additional articles based on the above events. All these knowledge products will be disseminated through popular online channels like The Logical Indian, Business Wire, The Better India (CRB has active partnership with these channels).

Policy Roundtables & Engagements

CRB will organise policy roundtable and engagement with key policy-actors on deforestation free supply chains in these above-mentioned commodities. The details of these engagement are as under:

1 National Conclave on Domestic Production of Oil Palm in India – wherein stakeholder from across the 14 states under NMEO-Oil Palm would be invited to have discussions on opportunities from integrating Sustainability Principles in Palm Oil production in India. National and international experts will share their perspectives based on their experiences.
CRB to share key policy perspectives on Timber/Wood Value Chain with WWF (based on an initiative that CRB is undertaking on Timber/Wood Value Chain in India)
CRB and WWF will aim to secure some movement/commitment at the policy level specifically on Palm Oil