APRIL Stakeholder Forum highlights opportunities for positive outcomes from FSC Remedy Process

APRIL Group, in cooperation with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Forest Peoples Programme (FPP), and WWF-Indonesia, hosted the first APRIL- Stakeholder Forum on the FSC Remedy Process in Bogor on June 19th and 20th. The Forum served as a platform for open and constructive dialogue on APRIL’s remedy process within the FSC Remedy Framework.

As the first company globally to implement the FSC remedy process, the Forum was an important step in improving transparency and collaboration. Nearly 90 participants engaged in the discussions with over 60% representing local communities and NGOs from the provinces where APRIL has operations. The forum focused on building a collective understanding of the FSC remedy process and highlighting potential opportunities for positive environmental and social outcomes.

Gary Dunning, from Yale University’s School of Forestry, and Rulita Wijayaningdyah, representing the Indonesian forest workers’ union Kahutindo, served as facilitators. Mr. Kim Carstensen, Director General of FSC provided an overview of the FSC remedy process, highlighting its potential for achieving significant social, environmental, and business benefits.

“APRIL is fully committed to the remedy process, recognising it as a significant opportunity for collective benefits – for communities, the environment, Indigenous Peoples, and Indonesia as a whole. A key takeaway from the Forum was the strong desire for continued dialogue within the provinces where APRIL operates. We welcome this suggestion and will actively explore ways to incorporate it into future engagement efforts as we continue to improve the transparency of our process,” stated Lucita Jasmin, Director of Sustainability and External Affairs at APRIL.

Aditya Bayunanda, CEO of WWF Indonesia, echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism for the process and WWF Indonesia’s ongoing support. “I am more optimistic now and WWF Indonesia’s commitment is to continue to support the remedy process in the hope of better environmental and social outcomes.”

The forum served as a valuable platform for listening to stakeholder perspectives, both positive and critical, on how to strengthen APRIL’s remedy process. Stakeholders expressed support, emphasising the importance of continued dialogue, particularly at the local level.

“The forum has taught APRIL that the implementation of the FSC remedy framework can be successful if all parties collaborate and are able to see its potential to contribute to the expansion of forest conservation and restoration, community socio-economic development, and the achievement of Government of Indonesia targets, such as Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use Net Sink 2030 (FOLU Net Sink), Enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (ENDC) and social forestry program, “added Dian Novarina, Deputy Director Stakeholder Engagement, APRIL Group