sustianable forest management han ye
TRANSCRIPT
Sustainable Forest Management and
Biodiversity Conservation Assessment
Assess the implementation of commitments made under
Asia Pulp and Paper’s Sustainability Roadmap – Vision 2020
and Forest Conservation Policy
Han Ye
University Number: 3035201445
MSc in Environmental Management (2014-2015)
The University of Hong Kong
1
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Company Background
Asia Pulp & Paper, known as APP in the paper industry, with 14 major companies in Indonesia
and China, is one of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world [1]. With nine pulp and
paper production facilities in Indonesia, APP has a current annual combined pulp, paper, and
packaging-grade capacity of more than 9 million tons per year, and delivers its products tissue,
packaging and paper to more than 120 countries across six continents [2].
Apart from mills and other operations, APP has 5 main forest and plantation areas in Indonesia
located on Java and Sumatra islands. Sinarmas Forestry is the management team that
represents APP pulpwood suppliers, currently manage 38 concessions which is the forest
management units based on government forest concession licenses. APP has the responsibility
to manage and monitor its suppliers’ activities [2].
1.2 Sustainable Forest Management
In general, sustainable forest management (SFM) is the process of planning and implementing
practices for the stewardship and use of forests and other wooded land in a manner that
embrace sustainable use and conservation of forests [3]. According to the United Nations, the
aim of SFM is to maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental values of all
types of forests through human interventions, for the benefit of present and future
generations.
Sustainable forest criteria and indicators that are widely adopted is summarized in the following
seven areas [4]:
- Extent of forest resources
- Biological diversity
- Forest health and vitality
- Productive functions and forest resources
- Protective functions of forest resources
- Socio-economic functions
- Legal, policy and institutional framework.
1.3 Forest Certification
2
In response to concerns about logging practices and forest conversion, especially in tropical
regions [5], third-party forest certification emerged as a credible tool for communicating the
environmental and social performance of forest operations. Third-party forest certification
programs typically require forest management practices of the operation conform to the
standards of sustainable forest management developed by an independent organization. The
functions of forest certification include promote sustainable forest management practices to
the forest operators and provide verification to the paper and wood products that come from
the forests that are well-managed and legally harvested [6]. Programme for the Endorsement
of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are the two largest
international certification schemes among all the certification standards worldwide, addressing
the diversity of forest types and tenures [7].
3
Chapter 2 APP’s Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020
2.1 Background of APP’s Sustainability Journey
Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has been criticized to be one of the most controversial paper
producers on the planet because of its extensive clearance of rainforest in Indonesia
[8]. Many of the clearances as well as illegal logging are on peatland, which is the
vital rainforest habitat. This type of habitat is especially important for numerous
endangered species such as Sumatran tiger, orangutan, Javan Rhinoceros and
Sumatran Elephants [9]. The destruction of peatland by development and operation
of plantations in peatland is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in
Indonesia. In addition, many conflicts with local communities and indigenous people
raised because of APP’s operations.
Although APP has obtained several environmental quality management certifications
for its operations and productions, tackling the problems of fiber sourcing,
plantation and deforestation became APP’s main focus in the recent years. APP’s
determination of achieving sustainable forest management throughout its supply
chain is put into action through implementing APP’s Sustainability Roadmap Vision
2020 and Forest Conservation Policy. In June 2012, APP launched its Sustainability
Roadmap Vision 2020, covers eleven impact areas each of which has a number of
subsidiary and specific goals. The Sustainability Roadmap serves as company’s guide
for achieving a ‘whole business’ sustainability operating model. The Sustainability
Roadmap continues to develop over time, and the goals stated in the Roadmap will
be updated along the actual implementation.
2.2 Summary of Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020
Under the Sustainability Roadmap, there are several elements, policies and
individual programs addressing respective areas of sustianbility. Quarterly progress
reports and annual sustainability reports are published on APP’s website for
comunicating the progress and achievement of implementing of the Sustainablility
Roadmap.
4
Targets and Components
“To become a leading and respected global pulp and paper company that provides
superior value to customers, community, employees and shareholders, responsibly
and sustainably” is the vision of the Sustainability Roadmap. The listed areas of
commitments are the central of APP’s sustainability strategy, shows a clear picture
of the goals to be achieved by the year of 2020.
- Reforestation
- Fiber Sourcing
- Conservation and Biodiversity
- Emissions
- Solid Waste
- Water Management
- Employee Welfare
- Community Empowerment and Welfare
- Indigenous People
- Human Rights
- Climate Change
Forest Conservation Policy
The Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) was, in effect, an update to APP’s Vision 2020:
Sustainability Roadmap, at its heart lies a company-wide commitment to zero
deforestation throughout APP’s supply chain.
There are four commitments underpinning the overall objective of the Forest
Conservation Policy:
Policy commitment 1: APP and its suppliers will only develop areas that are not
forested, as identified through independent High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF)
and High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments.
Policy commitment 2: APP will support the Government of Indonesia’s low emission
development goal and its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will be
achieved by ensuring that forested peatland is protected as part of its commitment
to maintain HCVF and HCS forests.
5
Policy commitment 3: APP will implement the following set of principles: Free,
Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of indigenous people and local communities;
Responsible handling of complaints; Responsible resolution of conflicts; Open and
constructive dialogue with local, national and international stakeholders;
Empowering community development programs; Respecting human rights;
Recognizing and respecting the rights of its workers; Compliance with all relevant
laws and internationally accepted certification principles and criteria.
Policy commitment 4: APP sources fiber from all around the world and is developing
measures to ensure that this sourcing supports responsible forest management.
Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2020 Reports
There are three regular report forms that APP uses to track the progress and update
its sustainability commitments, as well as, show its commitment to transparency.
- Roadmap Vision 2020 Status Reports / Forest Conservation Policy Reports
- TFT Progress Reports
The Forest Trust (TFT) as a partner of APP publishes regular assessment reports
on APP’s progress and to support fulfilling APP’s commitment to full transparency
and ongoing monitoring.
- Grievance Verification Reports
One Million Hectare Commitment
In April 2014, APP introduced its commitment to support the conservation of one
million hectares of rainforest in Indonesia. The concept involves matching the
approximately one million hectares of established plantation across APP and
suppliers’ concessions, with an equivalent area of protected forest. APP adopts and
promotes a landscape-scale approach and identified ten priority forest landscapes
and peatland landscapes for protection and restoration.
6
Chapter 3 Assessment of Sustainability Roadmap
3.1 Methodology
The assessment of APP’s Sustainable Roadmap Vision 2020 is based on close
examining of APP’s guidance report and sustainable policies through four methods.
First method is in the form of literature review of sustainable forest management.
Second method is cross-examining APP’s standards with international standards.
Third is interviewing with corporate representative, NGOs’ representatives and
industry experts. Forth method is an onsite evaluation of APP’s operation and
conservation implementation through observation.
Literature review as the first method is used to get a basic idea of the international
sustainable forest management standards, as well as the current status of
sustainable forest management in APP. Many countries and organization have
developed their own standards, criteria and indicators. The assessment standards
which are adopted to compare APP’s standards with, are developed based on FSC
Harmonised Certification Bodies’ Forest Stewardship Standard for the Republic of
Indonesia and Revised ITTO criteria and indicators for the sustainable management
of tropical forests. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) is an
intergovernmental organization promoting the conservation and sustainable
management, use and trade of tropical forest resources. Its 59 members represent
more than 75% of the world’s tropical forests and 90% of the global tropical timber
trade [10]. These two assessment templates or guidelines are chosen because they
are widely accepted and adopted for assessing sustainable forest management.
Further, these standards are published by world recognized authorities. The purpose
of the ITTO C&I is to provide member countries with a tool for monitoring, assessing
and reporting changes and trends in forest conditions and management systems.
The interviews are conducted through face-to-face meeting with APP
representatives, APP Executive, Greenpeace representatives and conference call with
TFT Executive Director. The meeting and conference include presentation by APP
representatives and interview based on designed questions to respective
organizations. APP’s company structure, progress of implementing sustainable
policies and future plan are presented in the presentation. Answers of specific
designed questions are recorded during the interviews.
Onsite observations were conducted during arboretum tour, visit to Rasau Kuning
plantation area, Indah Kiat Perawang Pulp & Paper Mill tour, Arara Abadi Forestry
Research and Development center visit and Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere
Reserve. Photographs and observation results are recorded, together with
7
supplementary documents and brochures provided by APP are collected for further
analysis and evaluation.
3.2 Assessment of Sustainable Forest Management
Criterion 1: Enabling conditions for sustainable forest management
Policy, legal and governance framework
1.1 APP can prove the existence and implementation of policies, laws and regulations to
govern forest management. The introduction of Forest Conservation Policy demonstrate a
long-term commitment to adhere to the sustainable forest management plan.
1.2 Long-term tenure and use rights to the land and forest resources are clearly defined,
documented and legally established. But the boundary of the land licensed to APP is not
clearly defined due to overlapping licenses. The plantation sectors of the same area are
licensed to different industries at the same time. Unclear land use rights and tenure pose
threats to APP’s implementation of forest conservation and management measures. In
order to clear the obstacles before achieving Sustainable Roadmap commitments, APP
must work with government to resolve the licensing issue.
Economic framework
1.3 Amount of funding in forest management, administration, research and human
resource development is ensured. Since APP has launched Sustainable Roadmap Vision
2020, the funding for forest management research is allocated. The funding for forest
conservation is still at the stage of initiation, assessment and planning.
Institutional framework
1.4 Besides the availability of financial resources, there are adequate institutions and
personnel to undertake sustainable forest management. APP’s Solutions Working Group
(SWG) brings together APP and its outside experts, with civil society organizations working
to conserve Indonesia’s forests and wildlife and secure community rights in an informal,
non-legally binding form. In addition, APP has formed several assessment teams for High
Carbon Stock (HCS), High Conservation Value (HCV) and peatland forest assessments.
These include effective implementing agencies, research institutions and appropriately
trained personnel to ensure that management is in accordance with scientific and technical
knowledge.
1.5 APP has the ability to apply, appropriate technology to practice sustainable forest
management and the efficient utilization and marketing of forest products. Through the
onsite observation, APP has applied several technologies in maintaining its plantation.
Planning framework
1.6 The development of Integrated Sustainable Forest Management Plans (ISFMP) shows
8
that APP has enough capacity and mechanisms for planning sustainable forest
management. In 2014, the Pilot ISFMP got underway in Jambi Province. The final
sustainable forest management plans will integrate the various assessment findings
including HCS, HCV, peatland, social mapping and Growth and Yield (plantation fiber
availability) into long-term action plan. APP still needs periodic monitoring, evaluation and
feedback on the progress of ISFMP development and implementation.
1.7 APP Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) Dashboard, stakeholder meetings and other
multiple stakeholder engagement platforms allows public participation in forest
management planning, decision-making, data collection, monitoring and assessment. APP
consider stakeholders to be employees, governments, customers, NGOs, contractors,
suppliers, educational establishments, host communities, unions and media (sustainability
report book).
1.8 Based on onsite observation and interview with APP representatives, the forest
management plans are existing in the current operations. The existing forest
management plans comply with all the national level regulations. The development of
ISFMP is an important step for APP to manage all its forests including suppliers in a
sustainable way and beyond national regulations and requirements.
Criterion 2: Extent and condition of forests
2.1 2.6 million hectares, 38 concession areas of which 9 are APP Forest Management Unit
(FMU) and 29 are suppliers’ FMU, are under evaluation. Moratorium on natural forest
clearance and end of using natural forest fibres effective from February 1st 2013 is the first
step APP took to end deforestation. There will be no more operation in concession
areas until HCV and HCS assessments are completed.
2.2 Extent (area) of forests committed to production and protection will be designed and
managed when the HCV and HCS assessments are completed and the results are included
in the development of Integrated Sustainable Forest Management Plan. Forest
Conservation Policy commitment: APP and its suppliers only develop areas that are not
forested, as identified through independent HCV and HCS assessments. In the Sustainability
Roadmap Vision 2020, APP stated it will support the national target to preserved
designated protected and conservation areas.
2.3 HCV assessments are for identifying high conservation and value areas, as one of APP’s.
Forest Conservation Policy commitment. High Conservation Value areas are those that
contain biological, ecological, social or cultural values which are considered critically
important or outstandingly significant. Asia-Pacific Consulting Solutions (APCS) and
Ekologika have undertaken independent assessments using on-the-ground data collection
to categorize the forest area. 11 HCV assessment result reports are published on APP
9
dashboard. Those reports contain the outputs of which determine the location of
management plans need to be in place to maintain and enhance those values, as well as
recommendations for further assessment and conservation actions.
2.4 HCS assessments are carried out to identify boundaries of natural forest. And the
reports are expected to be published on monitoring dashboard after the completion of
assessments in the end of 2014. High Carbon Stock areas are those where the land has a
high concentration of organic matter above ground, therefore, the protection of these
areas is critical in mitigating climate change. APP intends to develop a methodology and the
necessary tools to account for above and below ground carbon balance for its forest in
Indonesia.
2.5 At least 10% of the forest area is designated as a conservation zone, identified on maps.
Half of this area as 5% of total forest area is designated as a protected area and identified
on maps, and is fully protected from commercial harvesting. However, the management of
the protected area with biodiversity as a major objective is not clearly shown on the
Sustainability Roadmap.
Criterion 3: Environmental impact
3.1 Assessment of environmental impacts of each concession shall be completed,
appropriate to the scale, intensity of forest management and the uniqueness of the
affected resources. AMDAL– Indonesian Environmental Feasibility Assessment
(Environmental Impact Assessment) is done for each APP’s operations prior to
commencement of site-disturbing. The AMDAL consists of several documents including the
Terms of Reference, Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Management
and Monitoring Plans [11]. The AMDAL process includes a comprehensive consultation and
socialization program with local, provincial and central stakeholders [11]. The subsequent
documentations are submitted to and approved by Indonesian authorities.
3.2 APP stated in Responsible Fibre Procurement & Processing Policy, a policy under
Sustainability Roadmap, it will ensure that a multi-stage environmental assessment process
is conducted prior to forest plantation development. In addition to government regulated
assessments, APP will also pursue the High Conservation Value (HCV) Forest assessment in
accordance with HCV Resources Network methodology and tools.
3.3 “On environmental sustainability, we believe that continuous improvements in raw
material sourcing and utilization, process efficiency, environmental impact/footprint
minimization and supply chain management are core disciplines in achieving a better
environment.” stated in APP Responsible & Sustainable Business Declaration. However, the
impacts of using pesticides, chemicals, biological control of pests in the plantation are not
clearly addressed in any of the Roadmap reports. APP R&D center did not carry out any
10
comprehensive research about mitigating all kinds of impacts.
3.4 In the Sustainability Report, APP expressed its concern about biodiversity loss, “Based
on the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted prior to plantation development, one
potential impact of our suppliers’ operations, both in terms of plantation development and
ongoing management, and is the loss of diversity.”
3.5 FCP commitment 2: “APP will support the Government of Indonesia’s low emission
development goal and its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will be achieved
by ensuring that forested peatland is protected as part of its commitment to maintain HCV
and HCS forests.” The environmental impact of peatland clearance for plantation and other
agricultural activities is huge, as the peatland has high carbon stock, the released carbon
dioxide during burning peatland is the major greenhouse gas. Other impacts includes loss
habitats which is critical for peatland species and air, water, soil pollution. APP’s action of
peatland study and protection is a great step forward to mitigate those environment
impact. But considering the speed of peatland destruction, the protection and
management need to be put into real action as soon as possible.
Criterion 4: Forest production
Fiber Sourcing (APP Forest Conservation Commitments)
4.1 100% independent 3rd party verification for pulpwood legality is achieved.
4.2 Zero High Conservation Value (HCV) Fibre commitment is on track. APP pulp wood
suppliers in January 2013 stopped all conversion of natural forest for HCV and HCS
assessments.
4.3 APP sets the goal to achieve 100% sustainable plantation wood for pulp by 2015,
subject to maximum tolerance of 5% for waste and residue. As the suppliers stopped
delivery of natural forest wood to APP pulp mills by end of August 2013, APP has achieved
its commitment partially. The sustainability of the plantation wood has to be certified by
Sustainable Forest Management Certification Programs.
4.4 46% of the pulpwood is Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) certified. PEFC has
endorsed Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC). The certifying of pulpwood
process by IFCC will be complete in 2015 to 2016, by then APP will have 100% of its
products certified by PEFC.
Resource assessment (APP Responsible Fibre Procurement & Processing Policy)
4.5 APP is committed to only accept wood that is properly checked and verified as to legal
origin and chain of custody; wood harvested that does not violate traditional and civil
rights; wood harvested in forests in which high conservation values are protected by forest
11
management activities.
Planning and control procedures
4.6 Existence and implementation of forest harvesting/operational plans (within forest
management plans) and other harvesting permits is confirmed during site visit and
interviewing with APP representatives.
4.7 Existence of a log-tracking system or similar control mechanisms cannot be proved
since the document is not published.
Long-term projections, strategies and plans for forest production
4.8 In 2013, APP commissioned TFT and Ata Marie to conduct an independent Growth and
Yield study to determine the capability of its suppliers’ plantation base to provide sufficient
plantation pulpwood to sustain the production. The scope of the study is based on
concession data from 2005-2012. And the study finalized and confirmed that APP does
have sufficient resources to meet wood demand of the mills.
4.9 The Growth and Yield study identified a number of efficiency gains and management
improvement practices which could substantially increase the wood yield.
An action plan will be prepared included silvicultural and operation improvements to
improve plantation yields, contains action such as:
- Minimizing wood losses and improving wood recovery through optimized
mechanical harvesting
- Improving the growth rate of the plantations through the introduction of a species
improvement programme
- Improvement of management systems including monitoring.
- Improvement in land utilization
4.10 The findings from the Growth and Yield study are under analyzing and management
recommendations will be integrated into APP’s Integrated Sustainable Forest Management
Plans (ISFMP).
Criterion 5: Biological diversity
Ecosystem diversity
5.1 With the completion of HCV assessment, forest area possess high biodiversity will be
further protected and managed regards to Sustainability Roadmap commitments.
5.2 In April 2014, APP introduced its One Million Hectare Commitment to support the
conservation of one million hectares of rainforest in Indonesia. 10 forest and peatland
landscape are identified using landscape approach for protection and restoration efforts.
Because those landscapes are among the most ecologically valuable, yet simultaneously
12
threatened. Kubu landscape is one of the pilot scheme, which is categorized into lowland
tropical forest, peat swamp forest and mangrove forest. APP’s conservation activity will
focus on three key species, proboscis monkeys, Borneo orangutans, and Irrawaddy
dolphins.
5.3 In August 2013 Sinarmas Forestry, in collaboration with UNESCO MAB, LIPI, Ministry of
Forestry and the local government of Riau, launched the Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu (GSK-
BB) Biosphere Reserve Vision 2020 Roadmap to Sustainable Co-Management.
5.4 One existing shortage of designing of protected areas is the lack of biological corridors
or ‘stepping stones’ to increase the connectivity of protected areas and mobility of the
organisms.
Species diversity
5.5 APP committed to support the national target to increase by 3% the population of 14
specific endangered species.
5.6 APP has demonstrated procedures to identify and protect endangered, rare and
threatened species of forest-dependent flora and fauna, including Javan Rhino monitoring,
Sumatran tiger population studies and elephant conservation programme. But the depth of
those conservation actions remains a question.
5.7 Based on the arboretum site visit, the studies on several high conservation value tree
species are being conducted.
Genetic diversity
5.8 No existing measures are planned in the Sustainability Roadmap for in situ and/or ex
situ conservation of genetic variation within commercial, endangered, rare and threatened
species of forest flora and fauna.
Procedures for biodiversity conservation in production forests
5.9 The HCV assessment also includes biodiversity aspects and form part of biodiversity
management tool post-assessment. The Sustainability Roadmap and related policies and
procedures identified actions that are taken to protect maintain, enhance and safeguard
the presence of rare, threatened and endangered species and their habitats as a whole.
5.10 APP is in the process of establishing a foundation to fund those extensive conservation
initiatives and encourage the involvement from third parties. The four key objectives of the
foundation will be to:
- Maintain viable populations of the four key species (orangutans, rhinos, elephants
and tigers)
13
- Identify, protect and where necessary restore critical habitats
- Stabilize and then increase key species populations over time.
- Secure the funding and capacity required to meet these objectives.
Criterion 6: A management plan and monitoring
6.1 Based on the information obtained during visiting the Research and Development
Center of APP, the research about tree production and improvement programs have many
breakthroughs such as development of species with enhanced properties to protect against
disease and reduce chemical and water requirement. The R&C provide most cultivated
trees that are planted in APP’s and its suppliers’ concessions.
6.2 To achieve sustainably and responsibly managed plantations, APP is developing
Integrated Sustainable Forest Management Plans (ISFMPs) which combine the results of all
assessment work including HCV, HCS, peatland, social conflict mapping and growth and
yield. It is a long-term action plans for its suppliers. In 2014, two pilot schemes have been
introduced in Jambi Province, Indonesia.
6.3 APP developed its pulpwood supplier scorecards in order to track and monitor the
implementation of sustainability policies and for the future ISFMPs. The scorecards
incorporate seven elements: social, environment, health and safety, planning, human
rights, chain of custody and administration, including over 800 criteria that every supplier is
expected to meet. The suppliers will be monitored every three months to assess the
compliance against the scorecard. These are the primary requirements aligned to the
necessary certification schemes.
Criterion 7: Social and community engagement
Social conflict resolution
7.1 Compliance with all relevant laws and internationally accepted certification principles
and criteria is one of the principle in the Forest Conservation Policy.
7.2 APP reported its social conflict mapping and resolution on its dashboard website, and
claims that APP and its suppliers will continue to engage with local communities, apply the
principles of responsible handling of complaints and resolution of conflicts. The conflict
resolution process is made up of 4 stages:
(1) Conflict mapping;
(2) Development of action plans (based on the conflict mapping results);
(3) Implementation and reporting;
(4) Monitoring and evaluations;
And conflict resolution plans are developed and agreed with stakeholders and incorporated
into management plans. Three current conflicts in Riau (Datuk Rajo Malayu), Jambi
(Senyerang) and South Sumatra (Riding) are resolved and agreements are signed to solve
14
long-running dispute.
7.3 APP committes to have open and constructive dialogue with local, national and
international stakeholders.
Forest worker’s right
7.4 APP Responsible Fibre Procurement & Processing Policy made the commitment that
wood harvested in compliance with the International Labor Organization (ILO) Core
Conventions, which include the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work.
7.5 The Sustainability Roadmap or relevant policy has not mentioned any training, capacity-
building and manpower development programs for forest workers.
7.6 Another FCP principle is recognizing and respecting the rights of its workers. Existence
and implementation of procedures to ensure the health and safety of forest workers
Cultural aspects
7.7 In the Sustainability Roadmap, the identification and protection of important
archaeological, cultural and spiritual sites are not mentioned.
7.8 APP empowered several community development programs. Its Flagship CSR
development project in Soran Ecotourism village, Yogyakarta is completed. The project
objective was to create a sustainable, self-sufficient ecotourism destination that protects
and promotes local historic cultural traditions. APP supported community by investment in
developing the village infrastructure and provide education, training. However, long-term
supporting and monitoring shall be considered.
Community and indigenous peoples’ rights and participation
7.9 Tenure and user rights of communities and indigenous peoples over publicly owned
forests are recognized and practiced in Sustainability Roadmap. In the Forest Conservation
Policy, APP stated it will respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities,
including recognition of customary land rights.
7.10 Indigenous peoples will be compensated for the application of their traditional
knowledge regarding the use of forest species or management systems in forest
operations. However, the extent to which indigenous knowledge is used in forest
management planning and implementation is not presented in the Sustainability Roadmap.
7.11 As part of APP’s Forest Conservation Policy, the company adopted Free, Prior and
informed Consent (FPIC) principles for all new developments, including suppliers’ new
plantation development. APP claims the involvement of indigenous peoples, local
15
communities and other forest dwellers in forest management capacity-building,
consultation processes, decision-making and implementation.
16
Chapter 4 Conclusion
4.1 Research Limitations
The critical review of APP’s Sustainability Roadmap is mainly based on the
information and document provided on APP’s website and site visit. As the
achievements and information about Sustainability Roadmap are mostly presented in
a quantitative way, therefore, the evaluation is rather qualitative than quantitative.
This poses a difficulty to conduct more neutral and accurate assessments. APP’s
purposed Integrated Sustainable Forest Management Plans (ISFMPs) is not yet
available, the evaluation of APP’s sustainable forest management policies and
measurements are limited to its reports generated in the current phase (end of 2014)
of Sustainability Roadmap reports, forest assessment results and primary
implementation feedbacks.
There are several design shortages in the evaluation template and criteria due to lack
of professional knowledge. However, most of the criteria are developed from the
international recognized templates. Objective evaluation is limited to personal
understanding of the Sustainability Roadmap and assessment criteria.
4.2 APP milestones
The most significant achievement in APP’s Roadmap is the moratorium of forest and
peatland clearance. Apart from the two moratorium cases, the overall
implementation of this policy has been very successful. The deforestation and
peatland lost rate will slow down in some extent due to APP’s contribution in
conservation. After the implementation of FCP, APP realized the deficiency of
traditional models of forest conservation, hence, APP introduced the commitment to
support the conservation of one million hectares of rainforest in Indonesia.
The successful implementation of Forest Conservation Policy throughout the entire
supply chain brings a good start of APP’s journey of sustainable forest management.
The HCV, HCS, peatland, growth and yield assessment are going to be completed in
the year of 2015, and individual results and reports are published on monitoring
17
dashboard successively. The prototype of ISFMPs has been tested out in few of APP’s
concessions.
Overall, APP has made great effort in ensuring transparency by publishing
Sustainability Roadmap reports and engaging with third party and NGOs to
monitoring its progress. Third-party auditing has been carried out to verify the
transparency and implementation. However, the efforts may not be easily
determined by one or two organizations, APP should keep engaging and inviting
stakeholders to check the accuracy and transparency.
4.3 Improvement and recommendations
In 2007, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) dissociated with APP due to concerns
regarding APP’s forest practices. With the implementation of Forest Conservation
Policy (FCP), FSC is willing to engage with APP to know the implementation of
sustainable forest policies. From my point of view, FSC’s principles and criteria are
not limited to the principles listed on FCP and other Sustainability Roadmap policies.
There is a lot more effort to be made to achieve FSC requirements. APP is on a right
track as it has started series of forest conservation programs and assessments.
The next stage for APP sustainable forest management is to assess its pilot schemes
and integrate all the data and assessment results into a comprehensive management
plan. APP should demonstrate the outcomes from these different assessments are
being effectively aligned and integrated. APP should have more stakeholder and
experts from various field engage in every stage of developing Integrated Sustainable
Forest Management.
Green technologies and environmental protection measures have been widely
implemented in its paper and pulp production mills. However, green technologies
and measures are not widely used in its plantation, harvesting or forest
management. APP is lack of research in some aspects of sustainable forest
management. Firstly, APP’s R&D is mainly focused on tree species and growth and
yield, it is missing an important part of forest management, which is water and soil
protection. The environment impact of plantation is huge, apart from direct impact
18
and damage to the rainforest habitat, and biodiversity, the alteration of water and
soil composition and many physical and chemical characters will have a profound
influence on the whole rainforest ecosystem.
APP’s former production and operation in Indonesia had cost extensive disturbance
to the environment and rainforest ecosystem. The damage and long-term impact are
unmeasurable, some are irreversible. APP is funding many conservation and
restoration projects as well as co-managing reserves. The effectiveness of all the
conservation actions has to be evaluated by individual institutes, authorities or
NGOs. APP should also keep revising and mending its forest protection policies and
measurements according to specific situation. Consistent commitment, solid
implementation, international cooperation and forward-looking vision and planning
are especially crucial. It is a long and tough way for APP, Indonesia government
even the whole word to fight against deforestation, peatland lost, and species
extinction.
19
Reference:
[1] Businessweek, Company Overview of Asia Pulp & Paper Group,
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId
=345755, Accessed on 29th December 2014.
[2] APP, 2013, APP Sustainability Report 2013,
https://www.asiapulppaper.com/sites/default/files/flippingbook/2013/index.html#2
, Accessed on 29th December 2014.
[3] FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation, 2014, Sustainable
Forest Management, http://www.fao.org/forestry/sfm/85084/en/, Accessed on 29th
December 2014.
[4] Forestry Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
2001, Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management: A Compendium,
http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/AC135E/AC135E00.HTM, Accessed on 29th
December 2014.
[5] Forestry Innovation Investment, British-Colombia Forest Fact, Third-Party
Certification in British-Colombia,
http://www.naturallywood.com/sites/default/files/Third-Party-Certification.pdf,
Accessed on 29th December 2014.
[6] National Association of State Foresters, 2008, FOREST CERTIFICATION AS IT
CONTRIBUTES TO SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY,
http://stateforesters.org/files/2008.Forest%20Certification.pdf, Accessed on 29th
December 2014.
[7] Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_forest_management,
Accessed on 29th December 2014.
[8] Rhett A. Butler, 2014, Debating deforestation in Indonesia and APP's forest
conservation policy, http://travel.mongabay.com/news/2014/0124-app-forum.html,
Accessed on 30th December 2014.
[9] Rainforest Action Network, Indonesia’s Rainforests: Biodiversity and Endangered
Species,
20
http://www.ran.org/indonesia_s_rainforests_biodiversity_and_endangered_species,
Accessed on 30th December 2014.
[10] ITTO, About ITTO, http://www.itto.int/about_itto/, Accessed on 25th December
2014
[11] AMDAL, Indonesian Environmental Feasibility Assessment,
http://www.wedabaynickel.com/en/commitment-to-people-and-nature/impact-
assessments/the-amdal/, Accessed on 30th December 2014