First training session on “Forest Cover Analyzer” for RSPO

BACP WRI Grant-008 Deliverable 8 – Submitted July 5, 2012

World Resources Institute BACP Grant 008 Deliverable 8

First training session on “Forest Cover Analyzer” for RSPO

This deliverable provides documentation of the first trainings session for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

of the forest cover monitoring system “Forest Cover Analyzer.”1 The website presented2 is an updated version of the

beta website described in Deliverable 5, which has been revised based on feedback collected from 100+ representatives

from across the palm oil supply chain, governments, and civil society. The website was developed by the World

Resources Institute (WRI)3 in partnership with Sekala, Rainforest Alliance, Sarvision, South Dakota State University,

University of Maryland,4 and Puter Foundation Indonesia under BACP Grant WRI-008 “Preserving Biodiversity through

Responsible Development of New Oil Palm Plantations.”

The first training session was conducted at the RSPO’s quarterly Certification Bodies Workshop at the Melia Hotel, Kuala

Lumpur on June 20, 2012 as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WRI and the RSPO. This is the

first training session of a planned series of trainings targeting RSPO certifiers, buyers, and investors. This document

provides a summary of experience, challenges, lessons learned, and steps for improving future trainings sessions. The

training materials, attendance list, and summary of updates to the Forest Cover Analyzer are also included as an

appendix.

Summary of Experience The RSPO’s quarterly Certification Bodies (CB) Workshop is an opportunity for representatives from around the world

involved in RSPO new planting and supply chain certification, to gather in a single location to network and to learn about

and discuss important updates. In addition to an introductory training session on the Forest Cover Analyzer, the

workshop also included presentations on a range of topics, such as RSPO’s new eTrace system developed by UTZ

Certified, changes in the CB accreditation process, and experiences in auditing independent smallholders.

This first training session and WRI’s participation in the overall workshop was an important milestone for the project, by

which we introduced the Forest Cover Analyzer to a new audience of highly relevant stakeholders and solidified our

collaboration with the RSPO, as part of a longer term engagement agreed upon in an MoU between the two

organizations.

Overall, the training session was very successful. The RSPO introduced the Forest Cover analyzer as a key tool to be used

by auditors in the certification process. This endorsement was useful in generating confidence from the workshop

participants. Feedback from participants was nearly unanimously positive and there was much enthusiasm regarding

follow up and arranging potential company-level training sessions. Interactive engagement with participants was

somewhat limited due to the technical difficulties, necessitating additional follow up and training sessions to ensure

successful implementation.

1 Formerly referred to as “Forest Cover Monitoring Tool.”

2 Currently available at http://www.wri.org/media/maps/forest-cover-monitoring/

3 Contact: Beth Gingold, World Resources Institute, Washington D.C., United States +1 202 729 7826 [email protected].

4 The research team led by Matt Hansen which is responsible for developing the annual change maps using remote sensing has

moved from South Dakota State University—the partner listed in our original proposal—to University Maryland—our partner going forward.

http://www.wri.org/media/maps/forest-cover-monitoring/

mailto:[email protected]


Challenges

Challenges from the training session were all technical in nature. These challenges consisted of:

- Slow internet connection at the venue prevented demonstration of the live website. Instead we presented a series screen shots.5

- Map clarity was poor on the projector screen. Distinction between colors and text visibility was rather limited - Participants were not able to link to the live application on their own computers during presentation - At the time of this training session, the website had not yet been publically launched; therefore there was not an

effective way to allow participants to link to the Forest Cover Analyzer themselves after the workshop.6

Lessons Learned These are the major lessons learned from this training session:

1) The Forest Cover Analyzer will serve as a valuable tool for both the RSPO and RSPO Certification Bodies.

Although the focus of this training session was the Forest Cover Analyzer, we also introduced the basics of the

Suitability Mapper. Both applications elicited positive responses from the RSPO and CBs. However, for this

particular group, the Forest Cover Analyzer was received with much greater interest. Positive feedback suggests

that this tool has great potential to assist in RSPO’s certification process.

2) Demand for the Forest Cover Analyzer exists in other regions.

Multiple inquiries were made from workshop participants regarding anticipated plans to expand the tool beyond

Kalimantan, to the rest of Indonesia and Malaysia.

3) Certification bodies represent a new group of highly relevant stakeholders.

Many of the participants were previously unaware of Project POTICO and of WRI’s involvement with RSPO. This

training session provided a valuable introduction. RSPO CBs are uniquely positioned such that they can both

directly use the Forest Cover Analyzer to assist in their own auditing processes, as well as share these tools with

their clients, thus potentially opening new channels for collaboration with the private sector.

4) Pre-analyzed case studies help to engage workshop participants.

Training materials included analysis of case studies for a “High Risk” versus a “Low Risk” concession. These case

studies helped to demonstrate the application’s real world applicability, which was particularly useful given that

this particular training session was limited to screen shots rather than online demonstrations.

5) There is value in developing a deeper understanding of CBs roles in the RSPO certification process.

Much of the information presented at this workshop was specifically geared toward CBs and outside of the

range of expertise of the POTICO team. Attending a specialized workshop such as this provided useful new

insights, such as:

CBs themselves are not responsible for HCV assessments or for determining whether a concession has

primary forest. Instead, they work with HCV assessors and the CB then determines whether or not the

HCV assessment is sufficient. This implies that we should also consider presenting our applications

directly to HCV assessors.

There are two types of CBs: new plantings and supply chain. Responsible for certifying different aspects

of the palm oil industry, these two types of CBs will likely have different uses for the Forest Cover

Analyzer.

5 Screenshots used as training materials attached in appendix.

6 Following the workshop, a temporary public link was created and made available to workshop participants at




6) Training sessions can generate ideas for additional applications

Several useful suggestions were raised during the workshop for new ways in which the Forest Cover Analyzer

might be applied:

Demonstrating RSPO-RED compliance

Certification process for other certification schemes and for other commodities

Steps for Improving Future Training Sessions The team is taking the following immediate steps to improve future training sessions:

1) Ensure that the live website is available during and immediately after the training session.

Have Blue Raster transfer the link from the staging site to a public but hidden link to be used temporarily for trainings prior to public launch in September 2012.7

Continue to work with Blue Raster to adjust data and settings to allow functionality at slower internet speeds.

2) Provide more case study examples of applications for discussion.

Prepare more case studies based on feedback from this training session

Prepare to allow participants to analyze an example case study, including by emailing a shapefile to the group.

3) Make the training sessions more interactive.

Website access for all trainees, suggestion to trainees that they bring their own laptops so can follow along online during the training session

Work through example case studies during the training session.

For larger groups/more detailed training sessions, have the presenting trainer as well as a second staff member to walk around the group, and answer questions on individual laptops.

7 Following the workshop, we immediately undertook this step, and a temporary public link was made available to workshop

participants at http://www.wri.org/media/maps/forest-cover-monitoring/



Appendix

The Updated Forest Cover Analyzer This training session presented an updated version of the beta Forest Cover Analyzer presented at RSPO. This version

was updated with new data and revised based on feedback from 100+ representatives from across the supply chain,

governments, and civil society. The most significant changes are as follows:

1) Updated data: The Sarvision land cover 2010 map (Deliverable 6) (Figure 1).

2) Improved user input functionality: Added upload function, ability to draw different shapes, and zoom to feature

to the Analyze tab (Figure 2).

3) Updated summary results table: Created 3 tabs to show results for change, forest cover 2010, and legal

classification; updated pre-analysis of districts and concessions with new data (Figure 3).

4) Updated detail results: Created 3 tabs to show results for change, forest cover 2010, and legal classification;

updated pre-analysis of districts and concessions with new data; added detail results for user drawn Areas of

Interest (Figure 4).

5) Improvements to User Interface: Changed default tabs to make it easier for users to find things, improved

legends and colors, added “Basemap” button, added explanatory question marks to be filled in.

Figure 1. Sarvision land cover 2010 map.


Figure 2. Updated Analyze tab.

Figure 3. Updated Summary Results


Figure 4. Updated Detail Results

Training Materials Presented See attachment “Web Applications to Support Sustainable Palm Oil” presentation by Anne Rosebarger, Sekala/World

Resources Institute. RSPO CB Workshop. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 20-21 June 2012.

Attendance List Certification Bodies Joko Prayitno Certification Manager PT. SAI Global Indonesia (SAI Global), Jakarta T: +62 21 720 6186, 720 6460 M: 0816 187 3271 E: [email protected] I: www.saiglobal.com Ing. Dr. Matthias Grill Business Development Manager agroVet GmbH T: +43 (0) 3622/52632 M: +43 (0) 664/5202352 E: [email protected] I: www.agrovet.at


http://www.saiglobal.com/


http://www.agrovet.at/


Aryo Gustomo RSPO Scheme Manager for ASEAN PT. BSI Group Indonesia (BSI Group), Jakarta T: +62 21 83793174 – 77 M: +62 813 6152 0412 E: [email protected] I: www.bsigroup.co.id / www.bsigroup.com Octo H.P.N. Nainggolan Agriculture Certification Manager PT. Mutuagung Lestari (Mutu certification international) T: (62-21) 8740202 E: [email protected] I: www.mutucertification.com Carol Ng Siew Theng RSPO Expert, Project Engineer TÜV Rheinland Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Env.Technology Department), Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia T: +6 03 8024 2400 M: +6 016 9950 708 E: [email protected] I: www.tuv.com Chin Miew Lim, KMN County Manager/Managing Director Moody International Certification (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur (Intertek Group) T: 603-9283 9881 M: 012-302 3870 E: [email protected] I: www.intertek.com Hari Naveen Christopher Program Manager – RSPO Control Union (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Control Union World Group), Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia T: +603 3377 1600 / 1700 M: +6012 612 3300 E: [email protected] I: www.pcugroup.com Leopold B M Hutapea QM Manager, QMS/EMS Lead Auditor, Senior Manager, System Certification Services PT. TÜV Nord Indonesia (TÜV Nord), Jakarta T: (Head Office) +62 21 7883 7338 M: 0811 1977 78 E: [email protected] I: www.tuv-nord.co.id / www.tuev-nord.de / www.global-warming.de Hoo Boon Han SEAP Program Coordinator, Biofuels Sustainability SGS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur T: +6 (03) 2095 9200 M: +6 (012) 654 1171 E: [email protected] I: www.sgs.com


http://www.bsigroup.co.id/

http://www.bsigroup.com/


http://www.mutucertification.com/


http://www.tuv.com/


http://www.intertek.com/


http://www.pcugroup.com/


http://www.tuv-nord.co.id/

http://www.tuev-nord.de/

http://www.global-warming.de/


http://www.sgs.com/


Guest Presenters Guntars Lagũns Managing Director ASI (Accreditation Services International), Bonn , Germany T: +49 (0) 228 227237 14 M: +49 (0) 175 580 00 94 E: [email protected] I: www.accreditation-services.com Stefanie Vermaesen Projectmanager Traceability UTZ Certified, Amsterdam, The Netherlands T: +31 20 530 8000 E: [email protected] I: www.utzcertified.org Anne Rosenbarger POTICO Fellow World Resources Institute/Sekala, Bali, Indonesia T: +31 20 530 8000 E: [email protected] I: www.sekala.net RSPO Salahudin Yaacob – Technical Director RSPO Secretariat SDN BHD, Kuala Lumpur T: +603 2302 1500 M: +6012 607 0014 E: [email protected] Joyce Ho – Supply Chain Manager RSPO Secretariat SDN BHD, Kuala Lumpur T: +603 2302 1500 E: [email protected] Norashikin Rasikon – Certification Manager RSPO Secretariat SDN BHD, Kuala Lumpur T: +603 2302 1500 M: +6012 309 3694 E: [email protected] Dr. Asril Darussamin – Indonesia Smallholder Affairs & Technical Manager RSPO Indonesia Liaison Office (RILO), Jakarta T: + 62 21 5794 0222 M: +62 812 962 92 87 E: [email protected] Imam A. El Marzuq – Taskforce on Smallholder & Dispute Settlement Facility Executive RSPO Indonesia Liaison Office (RILO), Jakarta T: +62 21 5794 0222 M: +62 813 4769 3290 E: [email protected]


http://www.accreditation-services.com/


http://www.utzcertified.org/


http://www.sekala.net/






World Resources Institute

Web Applications to Support Sustainable Palm Oil

Anne Rosenbarger

Sekala / World Resources Institute

RSPO CB Workshop

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

20-21 June 2012


Ideas Action Impact

Linking sustainable palm oil expansion and sustainable forest management

through the utilization of degraded lands rather than the conversion of forests

Facilitating pilot “land swaps” and strengthening market and policy incentives for

widespread implementation


• Suitability Mapper

• Forest Cover Analyzer

Project POTICO web applications

Developed to (1) support sustainable

palm oil on low-carbon, low-

biodiversity ‘degraded land’ and (2)

strengthen incentives for avoiding

loss of high conservation values


Our Suitability Mapper allows users to customize a “potential suitability” map that prioritizes “degraded land”


Possible Uses

– Producers: identify high priority sites; discuss implications of different policy options (i.e. with NGOs, government officials)

– Government officials: discuss possible policy options for use of ‘degraded land’; land use planning

– Other ideas?


Site Selection

Considerations

For more details: How to identify degraded land for sustainable palm oil in Indonesia. <http://www.wri.org/publication/identifying-degraded-land-sustainable-palm-oil-indonesia>.

http://www.wri.org/publication/identifying-degraded-land-sustainable-palm-oil-indonesia














Comprehensive

Site Selection

Process

For more details: How to identify degraded land for sustainable palm oil in Indonesia. <http://www.wri.org/publication/identifying-degraded-land-sustainable-palm-oil-indonesia>.




















Our “Forest Cover Analyzer” will alert to risks regarding RSPO criterion 7.3


Possible Uses

– Producers/CBs: check whether an area has been cleared prior to

November 2005; show compliance; demonstrate maintenance of

HCV set-asides

– Investors/Buyers/CBs: obtain permit information from clients/suppliers

and check for evidence of compliance with RSPO Criterion 7.3

– RSPO: internal monitoring; HCV set asides

– NGOs: watchdog monitoring; share data

– Other ideas?

















Low Risk Example


Low Risk Example: No tree cover loss since 2005


Low Risk Example: Low current levels of primary forest and peatland


Low Risk Example: All on legally convertible land


High Risk Example


High Risk Example: High tree cover loss since 2005 in primary forest


High Risk Example: High current level of primary forest and peatland


High Risk Example: High levels of Protection Forest (HL) and Production Forest (HP)
















Let’s work together!

• How might you use these tools to further your objectives?

• Interested in training/facilitation?

• Case study collaboration?

• Ideas for improvement?

• Want more information?

Washington:

Beth Gingold

[email protected]

Tel: +1 (202) 729 7826

Fred Stolle

[email protected]

Tel: +1 (202) 729 7694

Bali:

Anne Rosenbarger

[email protected]

Sekala Fellow

Jakarta:

Rauf Prasodjo

[email protected]

Tel: +62 81 183 2320

Contact us:






This project has received generous support from

• NewPage Corporation

• Walmart

• Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies

• The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

• The International Finance Corporation – Biodiversity and Agricultural Commodities

Program*

• The UK Department for International Development

*The International Finance Corporation is not responsible for the implementation or

administration of this project.


What is “primary forest”?

• According to RSPO: A primary forest is a forest that has never been logged and

has developed following natural disturbances and under natural processes,

regardless of its age. Also included as primary, are forests that are used

inconsequentially by indigenous and local communities living traditional lifestyles

relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The

present cover is normally relatively close to the natural composition and has arisen

(predominantly) through natural regeneration. National interpretations should

consider whether a more specific definition is required.

• In our web applications:

– Tree cover loss in primary forest: Loss occurring in Intact Forest 2000 areas, as

defined by WRI and Greenpeace report on intact forest landscapes (Hansen, M 2011,

60 m resolution Landsat).

– Forest cover primary forest: Includes multiple land cover classes from 2010 land

cover: closed forest, pole peat forest, closed peat swamp forest, riparian forest,

mangrove (Sarvision, 50 m resolution ALOS PALSAR).

Documents

First training session on “Forest Cover Analyzer” for RSPO