Global S&T Development Trend Analysis Platform of Resources and Environment
Working towards sustainable soy production – an interview with The Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) | |
admin | |
2021-06-28 | |
发布年 | 2021 |
语种 | 英语 |
国家 | 国际 |
领域 | 资源环境 |
正文(英文) |
Published: 28 Jun 2021
Type: Insight
Q1. What are the most exciting developments TFA is seeing in the space of addressing commodities-driven deforestation? Anything specific on soy that you could point to? The science is now clearer than ever. We're at a critical juncture for not just one, but two major crises threatening the planet: climate change and biodiversity loss. But one of the most promising developments is that there is now a tangibly higher level of energy and commitment from so many of the key players. It's also evident that people are now coming to terms with the idea that no single actor or sector can successfully address these challenges on its own. The challenges are by their nature so complex that they can only be addressed collectively. Another really positive development, then, is the growing realization that dialogue and collective action is the only way we can make progress. The dynamics around soy are extremely complex. However, I should also stress that much of the dialogue that has already taken place to identify workable solutions holds promise. In Brazil TFA is convening detailed and continuing discussions between government, producers and trade associations. Internationally the conversation between different actors up and down the supply chain is also building deeper understanding and the foundation for shared solutions moving forward. Sure, those taking part in these dialogues may not be moving as fast as we would like, but we are definitely on the way to creating the conditions where solutions could emerge. Q2. There seems to be broad agreement that solutions to tackle deforestation need to be collaborative and encompass the whole value chain. What has made it so difficult to achieve alignment so far? Alignment has been challenging because of the numerous and competing interests at stake. Broadly speaking we can say that these interests are held by a mixture of producers, private companies, governments, consumers, the UN and environmental NGOs. Each one holds a different view of the best way forward, a different view of what constitutes positive change. Q3. What should collective platforms like the SCF, and its members, prioritize to drive progress? First, I'd like to say the SCF is already doing great work bringing the biggest agribusinesses together and encouraging the companies to enhance transparency and develop lasting solutions. Whilst individual companies are advancing some promising individual solutions, I'd ideally like to see a broader sectoral shift. But I also recognize that SCF members, and the broader portion of the value chain they represent, are caught between the rock of producers on the one hand, and a hard place of hundreds of market facing companies and perhaps millions of consumers on the other. They're at the 'pinchpoint' of the supply chain, and are often attacked from all sides. This makes it very difficult for their voices to be heard, and so for the SCF to amplify these voices while also encourage more ambitious approaches is incredibly helpful. Q4. How positive are you we’ll be able to decouple the production of key commodities from deforestation in key hotspots around the world by the ambitious timelines set forth by the international community? With palm oil, we've made tremendous progress driving down from the peaks we saw ten years ago to much lower levels of deforestation today. The data for soy also suggests that some of the conversion pressure has reduced, but we know agriculture is still driving 90% of deforestation globally. We can't do our job without being optimistic – and without being committed to constructing solutions that start to recognize the trade-offs we need. The best way to do that is to devise incentives for farmers and producers that go beyond their legal requirements, so that they are motivated to conserve and restore more native vegetation. I'm optimistic because we can already see that sectors are beginning to recognize this. My favorite proverb comes from Africa: "If we want to go fast we go alone; if we want to go far we go together". Somehow we have to figure out how we go far and fast now, because we haven't got a lot of time, and we also have to do it collectively. Justin Adams, Executive Director, The Tropical Forest Alliance |
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来源平台 | World Business Council for Sustainable Development |
文献类型 | 新闻 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/332169 |
专题 | 资源环境科学 |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | admin. Working towards sustainable soy production – an interview with The Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA). 2021. |
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