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Goodhope

SUBJECT

Greenpeace published reports, “A Deadly Trade-off” on 27 September 2016 and “Dirty Bankers” on 17 January 2017 accusing one of our suppliers, Goodhope in violation of sustainability commitments on deforestation, development on peat, and exploitation of local community.

Two of their companies mentioned in the reports were PT Nabire Baru and PT Sariwana Adi Perkasa in Papua. Apical did not source from any of the reported companies, though at the group level we did source from Goodhope in 2016.

PROGRESS

22 September 2016: Apical made written request to Goodhope seeking for clarification on alleged violations. Goodhope replied in denial of the allegations, and confirmed that they are operating in compliance with the RSPO Principles and Criteria and sustainability good practices.

17 November 2016: Goodhope provided further updates and informed that a joint visit was conducted by the RSPO Secretariat and third party verifier and audit findings have indicated no evidence of violations against their sustainability commitments. Goodhope confirmed that they have ceased land development activities in PT Nabire Baru.

25 January 2017: Goodhope clarified their position against the allegations made in the Greenpeace report, “Dirty Bankers”.

4 April 2017: Apical has engaged Goodhope through its Strategic Engagement Program (STEP) in consistent with its commitment to transform the supply chain and support suppliers where necessary in dispute resolution.

Goodhope has committed to a time-bound action plan in 2017:

  1. Settlement of Complaints and adoption of NDPE policy
    1. Launching its new Sustainability Policy in May 2017
    2. Settlement of Complaints through the RSPO Complaints procedure, Dispute Settlement Facility and through engagement with relevant stakeholders
  2. Deforestation & legality
    1. Moratorium of land clearing and new plantings since October 2015
    2. High Carbon Stock Assessment (HCSA) by Ata Marie, listed HCSA Assessor
    3. HCV Reassessment by Ata Marie/Ekologika
    4. Legal review by independent party
  3. Social issues
    1. Direct negotiation with disgruntled community groups
    2. Working with Dispute Settlement Facility of RSPO
    3. Completion of NPP for PT NB
    4. BRIMOB to vacate the plantation immediately
  4. Peatland development
    1. Detailed soil survey by well recognized and credible soil scientist/expert
    2. Field studies and Interim report
    3. Independent review of soil survey

7 April 2017: Received “Goodhope response to the Greenpeace Palm Oil Bulletin”

29 April 2017: Received “Goodhope’s Response to NPP Queries & Comments”

5 May 2017: Goodhope launched its latest Sustainability Policy and Policy Implementation Plan

8 May 2017: The RSPO issued stop-work order to Goodhope on all of its operations in Papua.

18 May 2017: Goodhope provided Monthly Update and Progress on action taken in addressing the grievance matters. For more information, please click here.

21 June 2017: Goodhope provided Monthly Update and Progress on action taken in addressing the grievance matters. For more information, please click here.

8 August 2017: Met up with Goodhope, presentation on HCV assessment by Ekological, HCS assessment by Ata Marie, and Peat assessment results. Attended by Aidenvironment and PUSAKA.

Apical will take a proactive role in engaging Goodhope on remedial action, and propose additional action steps where necessary in addressing the issues. We will continue monitor the progress of implementation.

We have been engaging with Goodhope and they attended our Shared Value Programme which serves to keep our suppliers abreast with industry standards and requirement to halt deforestation as well as to build their capacity to adopt more sustainable practice.

Goodhope has proactively update Apical on progress of the action taken to resolve the issue. The monthly updates can be found here.

31 January 2019: RSPO Complaint Panel in a letter has dismisses the complaint against PT Nabire Baru which was lodged in April 2016. For more information, please click here.