Info Hub
Our database of policy documents,
studies, data, tools and
much more…
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Policy related
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Europe
- EC Communication: Deforestation and forest degradation, Stepping Up EU action Initiative from the European Commission aiming to present an integrated EU approach to combat deforestation, protect forests and promote sustainable supply chains.
- Feasibility Study "The impact of EU consumption on deforestation" The study provides a quantification of the impact of overall EU consumption on global deforestation. It also provides a general screening of relevant policy areas where options for action could be pursued to address this impact and advance work towards EU sustainable consumption.
- European Taxonomy The EU Taxonomy is a tool to help investors, companies, issuers, and project promoters navigate the transition to a low-carbon, resilient and resource-efficient economy. It is one of the most significant developments in sustainable finance and will have wide ranging implications for investors and issuers working in the EU, and beyond
- The European Green Deal The European Green Deal provides a roadmap with actions to (1) boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy and (2) restore biodiversity and cut pollution. It outlines investments needed and financing tools available and explains how to ensure a just and inclusive transition.
- The EU Farm to Fark Strategy Moving towards a more healthy and sustainable EU food system, a corner stone of the European Green Deal. The EU Fork to Farm strategy sets out both regulatory and non-regulatory initiatives, with the common agricultural and fisheries policies as key tools to support a just transition.
- Global Resource Initiative Taskforce The Global Resource Initiative Taskforce (GRI) considered how we can reduce the climate and environment effects of key UK supply chains.
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Europe
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Standard Benchmarks and Sourcing Guidelines
- Profundo benchmark Setting the bar for deforestation free soy in Europe This report (commissioned by IUCN NL) has benchmarked standards compliant with the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines 1.0. The benchmark focuses on the issue of avoiding deforestation and conversion caused by soy production in Europe and by soy production for exports to Europe. It has been used as the benchmark to define deforestation free soy standards in the European Soy Monitor ( 2017-2019), was ingredient to Nutreco's soy sourcing policy and inspired an update in the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines (2021).
- Thuenen Benchmark of soy standards
- FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines 2.0 The FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines, the first version launched in 2015, defined a baseline for what the European feed industry considers to qualify as responsible soy, basically controlling on legal complaince. The guidelines are not a responsible soy standard but mean to facilitate market transparency. This link leads to the update in 2021, containing some new criteria and including an outline how to define conversion free sourcing.
- Soy Transparency Coalition and 3Keel - 2020 Trader Assessment The Soy Transparency Coalition (STC) aims to support companies and investors to overcome the transparency challenges they face within the soy sector. This report is the first annual assessment of key traders to understand where progress is being made. It is a combination of desk-based research, and direct engagement with the chosen soy traders. Key findings on the 2019 calendar year: •Transparency remains a blocker, but not with insurmountable barriers. There was a significant variation in the level of transparency provided, with different traders taking different approaches to what they viewed as ‘commercially sensitive’ information. •Deforestation commitments are inconsistent and often ambiguous, with a clear definition of deforestation not usually given, and many traders unwilling to go beyond illegal deforestation to include legal deforestation and land conversion. •The soy supply chain is perceived as low risk for exploitation when compared to other commodities a trader may be dealing with, such as beef and palm. •Specific regional focus for supplier engagement is targeted at high priority municipalities in Brazil, whereas high-risk regions in Argentina and Paraguay receive more limited attention. •Many traders continue to cite a lack of market demand for deforestation and conversion free soy as a barrier to increasing the volumes of certified soy in their supply chain. •A verification gap exists for third party sourced soy volumes. Many traders are making progress with their own direct supply/production, however traceability targets and progress does not typically encompass soys ourced from third parties. •Customer demand dictates trader action, with traders appearing to be most responsive to demands from their direct customers. •Trader engagement with the assessment process is important to aid understanding, with those traders who did not engage consistently scoring lower than those who responded to requests to clarify their position and explain more about their approach. Based on these findings, and feedback provided by the traders who engaged in the process, three main recommendations have been made for the members of the STC: 1.Use the STC scorecard as the basis for future trader discussions to ensure that there is a consistent, evidence-based framework being used to assess the relative performance of the traders against expectations. 2.Ensure that your policies and the conversations you have with traders are creating positive market signals, and that demand for deforestation and conversion free soy is clear. This will help to remove one of the most commonly cited barriers to progress in this area (lack of demand) and build a clear commercial case for a more transparent and responsible soy supply chain. 3.Continue to push traders to provide increased transparency within the soy value chain, particularly where some traders have demonstrated this is possible by already disclosing this information. This could either be on a one-to-onebasis, or through collective groups/initiatives.
- Soy Roadmap by Forest Positive Coalition The Soy Roadmap delivers guidance on 5 elements: (1) Own Supply Chain (2) Suppliers and Traders (3) Monitoring and Managing High-risk Origins (4) Engagement in Regions and Landscapes and (5) Transparency and Accountability The Riadmap includes 8 KPIs, the details of which can differ slightly for manufacturers who buy soy directly, and for those who are users of embedded soy and retailers. The Roadmap also includes KPIs for landscape engagement that have not yet been confirmed, though these will be confirmed later in 2021. • Percentage with known origin • Percentage from high-risk or unknown origins • Progress on ensuring soy is deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) for high-risk areas • Percentage DCF supply from high-risk areas • All: Percentage of tier-one suppliers to whom the Coalition Ask and its implementation have been communicated • Direct soy: Performance of T1 suppliers against Coalition Ask including progress on delivery across entire operations • Embedded soy/retailers: Upstream suppliers/traders sourcing from high-risk origins that have been engaged and are being evaluated • Embedded soy/retailers: Performance of upstream suppliers/traders against Coalition Ask including progress on delivery across entire operations Beyond the KPIs, the Roadmaps also include a series of public information requirements for individual companies, including public policy commitments to the forest positive goals, a summary of their time-bound action plan, soy footprint and methodology, and supplier lists. The Soy Roadmap is a product by Forest Positive Coalition of the Consumer Goods Forum, supported by Tropical Forest Alliance and Proforest
- Accountability Framework, tools and guides The AFI is an authoritative initiative in terms of definitions (such as deforestation and conversion free), but also on guidance to define company policies on conversion free respoinsible sourcing. It delivers guidance for example where certification is not yet (fully) possible, but verification is important.
- The Accountability Framework and certification, example of RTRS
- Consumer Goods Forum Sustainable Soy Sourcing Guidelines The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) sourcing guidelines give recommendations on how to address deforestation and other key sustainability issues associated with the production of soy.
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Studies and reports
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Europe
- The European Soy Monitor 2017 Report with insights on the European supply chain and the use of responsible and deforestation-free soy in 2017. This report has been commissioned by IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative and IUCN NL, the Dutch national committee of IUCN.
- The European Soy Monitor 2018 This second European Soy Monitoring Report gives an update on the transition towards responsible and deforestation-free soy in the EU-28, Norway and Switzerland (EU+). In 2018, 38% of all soybean meal consumed in EU+ was compliant with the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines and 19% was certified deforestation-free.
- Soy footprint of animal products in Europe This document provides an overview of the estimated country specific soy footprint of animal products: pig meat, poultry meat, eggs and dairy milk (including derived products) in Europe between 2012 and 2015.
- GreenPeace Report Under Fire Over the past decade there have been numerous commitments from industry to source forest/ecosystem risk commodities ‘responsibly’. Five years ago, more than 150 companies came together with governments, indigenous peoples and civil society organizations to sign the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), promising to eliminate deforestation for commodities like soya, cattle and palm oil by 2020.4 In September 2019, the NYDF’s official assessment concluded that achieving this goal is now ‘likely impossible’ because ‘efforts to date have been inadequate to achieve systemic change’
- SOY MORATORIUM REPORT https://abiove.org.br/en/relatorios/moratoria-da-soja-relatorio-12o-ano/ This report describes the methodology used and presents the results of soy monitoring in the Amazon Biome for the 2018/19 crop year, in the context of the Soy Moratorium
- An analysis of existing laws on forest protection in the main soy-producing countries in Latin America This report investigates what legal compliance means for protecting forests and ecosystems in the main Latin American countries of origin for European soy: Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is meant provide valuable input to companies, financial institutions, government representatives and NGOs who seek to step up their efforts in Europe and elsewhere.
- S America
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N America
- WWF Plowprint Report 2018 online The Plowprint Report analyzes grassland loss and identifies remaining intact grasslands across the Great Plains region.
- WWF Plowprint Report 2018 PDF The Plowprint Report analyzes grassland loss and identifies remaining intact grasslands across the Great Plains region.
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Europe
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Initiatives
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Market initiatives
- The Accountability Framework Initiative (AFi) The Accountability Framework Initiative is advanced through a diverse coalition of organizations dedicated to protecting forests, natural ecosystems, and human rights by making ethical production and trade the new normal. This coalition includes: the National Wildlife Federation; The Nature Conservancy; Proforest; Rainforest Alliance; Resourcetrust; Social Accountability International (SAI); Veritѐ; World Resources Institute; WWF; Independent experts – Gita Syanhrani(Indonesia) and Silas Siakor (Liberia). The aim of the AFi is to catalyze a broad shift to ethical practices in agricultural and forestry production and trade, so that these activities protect natural ecosystems, respect human rights, and improve the wellbeing of people and communities in commodity-producing landscapes. These impacts will be realized through the fulfillment of strong ethical supply chain commitments.
- Amsterdam Declarations Partnership The ADP goal is deforestation-free, sustainable commodities, including soya. The strategy includes: (1) Support European and EU action on Climate, Deforestation & Trade; (2) Stimulate a Global Value Chain approach for agricultural commodities; (3) Enhanced dialogue with major consumer / producer countries and (4) Enhanced monitoring, transparency, and voluntary CSR reporting.
- Collaboration for Forests & Agriculture (CFA) Operational Guidance The Collaboration for Forests & Agriculture (CFA) Operational Guidance is the product of a collaboration between World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and funded by the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation. The Operational Guidance is an implementation roadmap developed for the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFi) by the CFA. The roadmap was developed in partnership with multiple companies across the value chain from retailers, food service companies, feed companies and traders located across the US, Europe, and Latin America.
- Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Forest Positive Coalition of Action (CoA) Soy Working Group The CGF Forest Positive CoA currently has 17 members. Over three-quarters have joined the Soy Working Group. In addition to fully implementing forest positive commitments for their own supply chains, Coalition members will work with their suppliers to implement forest positive commitments across their whole soy business, as well as supporting forest positive change in production landscapes thereby supporting the transition to 100 % conversion-free, sustainable soy.
- European National Soy Initiatives (ENSI) group This is an informal group of European national soya initiatives, specifically focused on bringing conveners of these groups together to share lessons and collaborate. The intention of the group is to share lessons on convening, driving change and ensuring impact on the global level. Other participants include the Amsterdam Declaration Secretariat and IDH as the authors of the European Soy Monitor.
- FAIRR Initiative/Cerrado Manifesto The FAIRR Initiative is an innovative peer network for institutional investors, launched by private equity pioneer, Jeremy Coller. FAIRR is particularly concerned about the deforestation risks inherent in protein supply chains and the general lack of progress and disclosure from global producers. FAIR is keen to drive greater engagement and stewardship from institutional investors on this issue, and consider initiatives such as the Statement of Support as valuable and necessary tools to build sustainable food systems.
- Investor Initiative for Sustainable Forests (IISF) – Investor Working Group for Soy The Investor Initiative for Sustainable Forests, run in collaboration with Ceres, is helping investors to understand how deforestation within cattle and soybean supply chains represents a material risk to companies. It is coordinating collaborative investor engagement with companies that have either a direct or indirect exposure to commodity-driven deforestation, whilst also addressing other ESG issues related to soft commodity production, such as poor working conditions, land rights and impact on indigenous peoples.
- Retail Soy Group (RSG) The RSG is a pre-competitive collaboration between international retailers, currently with a primarily European membership encompassing: Ahold Delhaize, Aldi South, Asda, Co-op (Swiss), Co-op (UK), Lidl (UK), M&S, Migros, REWE Group, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose & Partners. RSG members seek to develop a market where sustainable soy is the norm. They work together to listen to what the market says need to be done, to deliver this and to respond in return to play their part in bringing about change.
- Soft Commodities Forum (SCF) The SCF is hosted and managed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and involves private sector – global leading agribusinesses (ADM, Bunge, Cargill, COFCO International, Glencore Agriculture, Louis Dreyfus Company).The SCF is working with its members to increase transparency across their supply chains, nurture effective collaboration and promote initiatives that balance environmental, social and economic interests. The focus of the group is currently (2020) on the Brazilian Cerrado, given its relevance for soy production and its biodiversity and ecosystem value.
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Field initiatives
- IDH – SourceUp Platform SourceUp is a new platform for companies and coalitions in producing regions to work together on sustainable agri-commodity sourcing. SourceUp is to be the go-to place for buyers of agriculture and forestry commodities and products wanting to engage in landscape-level sustainability efforts. SourceUp is effective in increasing the engagement of these buyers with Compacts; in facilitating that areas that perform better in terms of sustainability are rewarded in terms of preferential sourcing, funding and technical assistance; and in improving supply chain transparency.
- Produce, Conserve, Include Strategy The PCI Institute is an independent non-profit institution that aims to ensure the PCI strategy’s effectiveness, explore long-term policy creation and financing and provide transparent and inclusive governance. The Mato Grosso government appointed the PCI Institute as its official vehicle to enable multi-stakeholder coordination, advise on public policies and measures, lead fundraising efforts and manage and monitor PCI programs. Combined, these actions position Mato Grosso as a leader of sustainable and inclusive rural development in Brazil. Founder organisations of the PCI Institute are: Brazilian Union of Corn Ethanol Producers – UNEM, Amaggi, Marfrig, IDH, Agroicone, ICV, Earth Innovation and EcoArts.
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Market initiatives
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Tools
- Supply Chain
- Definitions
- Certification schemes
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Sustainable sourcing toolkits
- Soy Toolkit introduction The Soy Toolkit offers systematic guidance on how to set up a responsible soy sourcing policy. It contains 5 elements and explains practical steps in a number of webinars. (1) Assess and plan implementation (2) Understanding supply chain risks (3) Engaging suppliers (4) Establish a purchase control system (5) Monitor, verify and report. The Soy Toolkit is made by Proforest, with support from GEF/WWF.
- Soy Toolkit webinars Just 1 hours and 20 minutes needed to see the 6 webinars outlining the recommended elements of your soy sourcing policy: (1) Assess and plan implementation (2) Understand supply chain risks (a & b), (3) Engage suppliers (4) Establish a purchase control system (5) Monitor, verify and report. In the webinars one can also see how certification comes into picture as element in a robust company policy. The Soy Toolkit is made my Proforest with support of GEF/ WWF.
- Soy Toolkit, step by step example for UK companies Based on the Proforest Soy Toolkit (see Soy Toolkit and webinars), Efeca elaborated a guidance for UK companies where to start with responsible sourcing. It contains additional suggestions to the Toolkit, also useful for other countries to have a glance
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Deforestation data
- Global Forest Watch Global Forest Watch offers the latest data, technology and tools that empower people everywhere to better protect forests
- Agrotools problem with this one: no ref!
- PRODES, official data deforestation Brazil (Cerrado, Amazon and Legal Amazon) This is the official data on deforestation in Brazil (Cerrado + Amazon + Legal Amazon). They have an option to change the language of their website to English.
- Brazilian Annual Land Use and Land Cover Mapping Project - MapBiomas The Brazilian Annual Land Use and Land Cover Mapping Project (MapBiomas) generates annual land cover and land use maps from 1985 till present.
- LCA of soy Environmental footprint of soy, Life Cycle Assessment, including Land Use Change (LUC) indicator
- IDH tackling deforestation