Harnessing collective responsibility to address deforestation and protect biodiversity

This solution provides an innovative pathway for private sector efforts towards deforestation-free supply chains to actively support conservation of protected forests. Around 10% of the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is under active coffee production, posing a threat to the area’s forests and biodiversity and to the legality of the coffee sector. WCS and the National Park Authority are working with companies, local government, farmers and other NGOs to develop a solution centred on collective responsibility. Eight companies representing 60% of the region’s robusta sector by volume have signed a ‘Collective Statement of Intent’, establishing their ambition to commit resources for efforts to protect the National Park. These include in-park efforts (monitoring, patrols and restoration of degraded areas) and out-of-park interventions that reduce forest conversion pressure by improving community livelihoods through support for legal and profitable coffee production.