High Carbon Stock Approach finalises its Social Requirements

The High Carbon Stock Approach is a tool for identifying and protecting forests being applied by companies who have committed to zero deforestation, protecting peat soils and ending social exploitation. The HCSA is now part of the Principles and Criteria of the RSPO.

The HCSA recently finalised a set of 14 Social Requirements that must be followed when applying the High Carbon Stock Approach. An Implementation Guide for the Social Requirements has also been developed and provides guidance for those applying the HCSA and its Social Requirements. Forest Peoples Programme is a member of the RSPO and the HCSA and has played a leading role in developing the HCSA Social Requirements. 

Norman Jiwan, a member of the Kerambai Dayak, Bidayuh from Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, noted, "The HCSA Social Requirements were created to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities and workers on plantations and related conservation areas. If implemented, the Social Requirements will help stop companies from taking land from indigenous peoples and exploiting workers, and will ensure that forest conservation is carried out with the consent and active involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities."

Zulkifli, a member of the Nagari Kapa, a Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia, said, 

"The HCSA Social Requirements can ensure the independence of indigenous peoples and local communities in determining the management of their customary territories. If implemented properly, the Social Requirements will assist indigenous peoples and local communities to maintain control of their customary forests and lands by being able to say ‘No’ to developments promoted by plantation companies that they don't support."

Marcus Colchester, Senior Policy Advisor at FPP noted, "The finalisation of the Social Requirements is an important step for the HCSA. It should now step up efforts to ensure that affected communities are aware that companies using the HCSA must respect their rights, and check in the field that companies are properly implementing the High Carbon Stock Approach."