The SCP project seeks to encourage and support national governments, the private sector and consumers in moving towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production in the agri-food sector aiming to develop examples of best practice that are then transferred through a South-South transfer.
The project operates in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Paraguay and Colombia.
WWF Thailand
Implemented in
- Asia / Pacific
- Latin America / Caribbean
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Thailand
Led by
Sectors of activity
Environmental Services, Consumer Goods, Food & Beverage, Tourism
Type of initiative
Capacity Building & Implementation, Education & Awareness Raising, Policy Frameworks & Tools
Type of lead actor
Civil society
Start date
01/03/2017
End date
02/08/2021
Submitted on:
18/03/2017Objectives
The project promotes sustainable consumption and production in the agri-food sector and seeks to integrate SCP strategies into national mitigation policies and climate protection efforts. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the project helps protect biodiversity by improving forest management and agricultural practices.
An important component of the project extension to South America is the South-South exchange. This encompasses the direct exchange of knowledge and technical know-how between the countries.
Key goals within the framework of the project are:
- Cooperating with the respective national governments to develop mitigation strategies for the agri-food sector
- Collaborating with companies to implement sustainable business models and to improve availability, accessibility and quality of consumer information
- Increasing consumers' awareness of the impact of their consumption patterns
- Developing and implementing concepts for SCP as models for other countries (south-south transfer).
Activities
As collected through the One Planet Reporting
Output level
Outreach and communication for SCP
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Kick Off of the « Establish Low Carbon Consumption in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines » project funded by the German BMUB, Bangkok, Thailand
Kick Off of the « Establish Low Carbon Consumption in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines » project funded by the German BMUB, Bangkok, Thailand
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF
Objective
Official project kick off event
Achievements
Media echoed the event and thus the project. Participants were made aware of the scope of the project and of the linkages to the 10YFP's mission
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All outreach and communication of the project in three countries
All outreach and communication of the project in three countries
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF
Objective
Develop recommendations and guidelines on sustainable consumption and production and pursue their integration into national policies.
Achievements
Launch of a new project website: https://www.wwf-scp.org/ Thailand: - Implementing a consumer campaign on SCP, including public events and an online platform, aimed at raising consumers' awareness and concern for the sustainability of the food system, impacts of food consumption on ecosystems and contribution towards sustainability through food consumption choices: o SCP community events (http://scp.wwf.or.th/) o EAT BETTER online campaign (Facebook @kindeekwa) o Consumer survey o New documentary VDOs and articles to promote the project (http://scp.wwf.or.th/resources/gallery_videos/) - Oct. 12-13, 2018: Co-organising a workshop at the Sustainable Brands Forum 2018 in Bangkok (http://sustainablebrandsbkk.com/sb2018/schedule/), in cooperation with the Consumer Information Programme promoting "Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information" Indonesia: - October 2018: Sustainable Brands Forum 2018 in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, in which the project will participate - November 2018: Asia-Pacific Round Table on SCP organized by the Indonesian government in Jakarta, with pre-events under participation of WWF in September-October. - Media engagement will be started at the end of this year with a media visit to Sintang, West Kalimantan - The project will participate at the UNFCCC COP 24 in Katowice, Poland from 3-14 of December 2018, with new findings on NDC development after the above mentioned NDC workshop. Philippines: - As of 30 September, a total of 24 restaurants have partnered with the project - Communication materials were continuously developed to promote the project's core principles (local and sustainable sourcing, management of wastes with a special focus on food waste, and management of resources). Early this year, the project released three videos showing the perspectives of different stakeholders on sustainability. - An interactive exhibit material in the form of a simulation of a restaurant dining experience and its relation to the environment/ climate was launched at the International Food Exhibition in May at the World Trade Center Manila. The aim of the material is to educate and engage participants in events and activities through a fun and interactive platform on food sustainability. - Part of the project activities is to conduct media trips with key actors, i.e. celebrity chefs, key lifestyle influencers, and traditional (opinion editorials, food/ travel/ lifestyle) columnists and social bloggers to build awareness on SCP in food and tourism media and to present project information. A media trip series was conducted entitled "Savour Planet: Cooking with a Purpose" in the three key tourism cities of the project (Quezon, Tagaytay and Cebu). - Examples of materials: The Sustainable Diner 2018 Teaser Video (Jan. 6)- https://www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines/videos/10156008816534618/ How Should We Dine Out When We Travel? Video (Jan. 31) - https://www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines/videos/10156076410319618/ The Sustainable Diner Valentine's Dinner Date Guide (Feb. 9) - https://www.facebook.com/pg/WWF.Philippines/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156100175549618 Why Do Filipinos Love Dining Out? Video (Feb. 26) - https://www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines/videos/10156146946774618/ Savour Planet Launch Material (Apr. 3) - https://www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines/photos/a.199225344617/10156249224459618/?type=3&theater How Does Dining Affect Climate Change? Video (Apr. 26) - https://www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines/videos/10156303569869618/ How Can We Dine Sustainably? Photo Album (July 12) - https://www.facebook.com/pg/WWF.Philippines/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156482154274618 Balay Kawayan Game Teaser Video (Aug. 13) - https://www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines/videos/276095963172487/
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Addressing food systems through consumers: SCP Thailand at the SFSP Conference
Addressing food systems through consumers: SCP Thailand at the SFSP Conference
Regions
Global / All regions
Lead organization
The Sustainable Food Systems Programme (SFSP)
Objective
Connecting to the Consumer Information Programme of the One Planet Network, one session of the global conference focused on consumer information and communication, with contributions by our SCP Project. Ply Pirom, project manager for the Thai project component, presented project activities in Thailand. He shared insights on integrating demand and supply sides and directly connecting producers to consumers, e.g. in form of the "Eat Better" campaign, farmers' markets or market outlets in the retail sector. The session was chaired by Dr. Ulf Jaeckel, Head of Division "Sustainable Consumption, Environmental Product Policy" of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany. Main objectives of the 3rd global SFSP conference were: Strengthen the vision that inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential Provide a platform for structured discussions Build alliances that can deliver actionable commitments Raise the political importance of sustainable food systems among public and private sector leaders
Achievements
Ply Pirom, project manager for the Thai project component, presented project activities in Thailand. He shared insights on integrating demand and supply sides and directly connecting producers to consumers, e.g. in form of the "Eat Better" campaign, farmers' markets or market outlets in the retail sector. Our "Eat Better" campaign was launched as an awareness-raising initiative to ramp up social momentum towards a sustainable food system through the promotion of responsible consumption, behaviors, and attitudes, encouraging a change in how we eat, purchase, manage, and understand food. Alongside the Eat Better campaign, the teams strengthens farmers' markets as a tool to promote responsible consumption patterns to urban consumers. They make consumers think about what the value of food is and its production. Farmers markets can be a catalyzer for food system sustainability. It helps consumers and producers meet and connect with each other. Consumers receive direct experiences and are able to ask questions, learn, and understand, gaining real information about food production directly from the producers through the farmers' market. During the past few years, more and more consumers are being drawn to farmers' and local markets due to an increasing demand for natural, organic food and local products. This upward trend depicts a rising consciousness among consumers who are more concerned with not just what they eat and consume, but where and how it has been produced as well. This "locally produced" market differentiation strategy results in higher value gains for farmers, while meeting the demand for healthier foods, which in turn can drive the adoption of environmentally sound farming practices.
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Media trips for raising awareness on palm oil production
Media trips for raising awareness on palm oil production
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF Indonesia
Objective
WWF-Indonesia has embarked on a series of media trips for getting the question of how to make palm oil production more sustainable into the public discurse. The first media trip was organised to Sintang in West Kalimantan, the second one to South Tapanuli in North Sumatra. Both areas have been subject to an increase in palm oil production, most of which lies in the hands of smallholder farmers. The numbers of palm oil smallholders in Sintang and South Tapanuli have been growing significantly, as consumer demand for palm oil products keeps on increasing. However, despite the beneficial economic returns, the current smallholder farming practices can also pose significant challenges to ecosystems and biodiversity. The media trips were meant to address those threats and negative environmental impacts of unsustainable palm oil production, and demonstrating positive examples of sustainably managed oil palm plantations. Responding to the challenges, both local governments of Sintang and South Tapanuli have committed to promoting sustainable palm oil production practices through the establishment of a Sustainable Palm Oil Forum in each region, and signing off on a Head of Regency Decree on the Sustainable Palm Oil Regional Action Plan. The journalist visits were aimed at showcasing these initiatives and the support behind them by farmer groups, local government agencies, NGOs and corporations. During the visit to Sintang, the participating journalists were able to witness the public consultation process that is required to approve the Regional Action Plan. When visiting South Tapanuli, journalists met relevant corporate stakeholders from upstream and downstream sectors, and were thus able to understand company commitments to sustainable palm oil production as reflected in their sourcing policies. Journalists also met and discussed with farmer groups and local communities, hearing first-hand about their experiences in implementing sustainable production practices, including the challenges they are facing as well as the benefits they are gaining by converting from unsustainable to sustainable production. In Sintang, the journalists moreover took part in a 'demonstration plot' activity in which know-how on good agricultural practices was exchanged between different farmer groups.
Achievements
Both media trips combined totaled a participation of 10 journalists from 9 media outlets and 2 influencers, resulting in 80 published news articles and 1 video. A third media trip will be conducted later in 2020 to Pelalawan Regency in Riau Province. As an integral part of WWF-Indonesia's public outreach campaign on sustainable consumption "Beliyang Baik" (Consume the Better), the media trip series is expected to trigger an increased public discurse in mainstream media on palm oil production and the necessity of making it more sustainable. Eventually, the hope is to raise consumers' awareness on this topic and thus cause them to shift consumption behavior to more sustainable options.
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Importance of Pollinators for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
Importance of Pollinators for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF Thailand
Objective
In early February, WWF-Thailand joined forces with Heinrich Böll Foundation, Go Organics and local civil groups in organising this event to raise awareness on the importance of pollinators for ecosystems and biodiversity. Pollinators are crucial to food systems, but their populations are in decline. The total disappearance of pollinators would have drastic implications to our food systems, putting them in peril of collapse. This event focused on the role humans can play as stewards of ecological health, helping to mitigate the problem, and appreciating the role that insects and pollinators are playing for the ecology. The topics discussed that day included conversations around the behaviour of native pollinators, and the threats they are facing, as well and the possibility of urban beekeeping in Bangkok. Two leading experts in the field gave essential input to the discussion. The second workshop was organised later in February as part of Sustainable Brands 2020 by WWF-Thailand, Biothai, Go Organics, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Earth Net Foundation and Thai Pesticide Alerts. The focus of this event was to promote pollinator restoration in nature and within the value chain.
Achievements
The events comprised of honey tasting, bee wax soap making, beekeeping techniques, informative talks, and a brainstorming session on how each sector can take an active role in pollinator restoration. One idea would be to transform spaces such as farms, campuses, factories, gardens, etc. into pollinator-friendly environments. Native beekeeping, local wisdom, good practices, and more were exchanged. The events focused on the role humans can play as the stewards of ecological health, balance, and abundance to mitigate the problem, and had insightful discussions on insects, pollinators and Biodiversity in Thailand and Southeast Asia. This included conversations around the behaviour of native pollinators and the threats they are facing, as well and the possibility of urban beekeeping in Bangkok.
Knowledge resource and technical tool
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Indonesia: Soft launch sustainable sourcing guidelines
Indonesia: Soft launch sustainable sourcing guidelines
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF Indonesia
Objective
The guidelines are meant to help and guide downstream companies including retailers, hotels and restaurants on their path to sustainability, by showing ways to systematically switch business operations to sustainble sourcing. Covering five product ranges (palm oil, wood & paper, seafood, energy, plastics), the guidelines are divided into three parts: Giving companies a roadmap at hand showing the steps towards having sustainability principles embedded into the business strategy. This path can only be completed with top management commitment. An action plan for sustainable sourcing is to be developed and implemented. Information are given on how to actually start sourcing sustainable commodities. It all starts by asking suppliers where and how the commodities were produced. The goal will eventually be to receive only certified supplies. The last part consistst of a practical check-list for companies to identify where on the path of sustainable sourcing and sustainability in general they are.
Achievements
Nine companies have stated their solid commitment to practicing sustainable sourcing: PT Hero Supermarket Tbk, PT Wahana Citra Nabati, PT L'Oreal Indonesia, PT Tetra Pak Indonesia, PT Graha Bumi Hijau (Tessa), PT Narendra Lentera Adisakti (Alila Hotel Solo), PT Faber-Castell International Indonesia, PT Foods and Beverages Indonesia (Chatime), and PT Lion Super Indo. These companies are at different stages of implementing sustainability, some having started the efforts years ago while others are rather at the beginning of the journey. WWF-Indonesia encourages these companies to implement the guidelines depending on where in the process they are. As an example, there is one company that is already certified sustainable, so the aim is now to also display this sustainability in the form of a logo on products, thereby allowing consumers to differentiate between sustainable and conventional items. On the other hand, there is also a company that has only just started to understand the importance of putting sustainable practices in place in its business, and it will take some time to go through the entire process laid out in the guidelines. WWF-Indonesia is closely coordinating with IBCSD, in the hope to identify first a distinguished group of companies agreeing to act as pioneers in implementing the guidelines and showing significant progress on sustainability. This initiative will especially be targetted at IBCSD's "Green Lifestyle" platform. During the course of the process, other companies will be encouraged to join the initiative and in collective action work towards a common goal: offering Indonesian consumers more sustainable options and thus enabling them to adapt their consumption behaviour.
Outcome level
Policy instrument for SCP
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Policy relevant activities of the SCP project
Policy relevant activities of the SCP project
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF
Objective
Ddevelop recommendations and guidelines on sustainable consumption and production and pursue their integration into policies.
Achievements
Thailand: The Deputy Minister expressed support for the project and policies geared to the promotion of sustainable agriculture. The team seek to accelerate the policy implementation process of the "Draft: Thailand's sustainable agriculture system promotion ACT", which includes principles of SCP, and now also includes aspects of consumer participation. The regulation aims to contribute to the country's target to increase the sustainable agriculture landscape to 800,000 hectares by 2040. The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) co-organized and participated in the project's SCP policy research and capacity building workshops for smallholders at project sites in Chiangmai and Nan. In an official meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment and the Director of the Royal Forest Department , the project's model site in Chiangmai in implementing SCP as an alternative and policy instrument to deforestation was discussed. Indonesia: The National Development Agency (BAPPENAS) issued a presidential regulation on low-carbon development, which in essence is mainstreaming emission reductions into development planning. Just recently the Indonesian president announced Presidential Instruction No. 8/2018 on Monitoring and Evaluation of Oil Palm Concessions and Productivity Improvement, a landmark policy to halt the unmanaged expansion of palm oil plantation development and improving governance. In order to be able to give better advice on development and implementation of the Indonesian NDC, the project team will receive training on developing NDCs for the agro-food sector by experts from CGIAR/ IRRI in November 2018 Philippines: The Philippine Center for Environment Protection and Sustainable Development Inc. (main administrator of the National Eco-Labelling Programme-Green Choice Philippines) signed an MoU with WWF-Philippines and together worked on political interventions (project presentations, policy review, policy dialogues, roundtable discussions, action-planning workshop, crafting a policy brief and policy recommendations). The Climate Change Commission is headed by a new commissioner, Atty. Rachel Herrera. With its approach of advancing sustainable waste management, including food donation programmes for food-safe surplus and composting of biodegradable waste, the project is contributing to the National Climate Change Action Plan (which prioritizes food security and environmental stability), and it contributes to participating cities' carbon footprint reduction, which can be factored into their Local Climate Change Action Plans. The project was part of the Congressional Technical Working Group seeking to consolidate House Bills that concern food waste and food donation programmes. The consolidated bills have been approved at committee-level and will soon be deliberated upon by both the lower and upper Chambers of Congress for final approval.
SCP changes in practice
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Sustainable Diner "model" implementation by partner restaurants
Sustainable Diner "model" implementation by partner restaurants
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF-Philippines
Objective
See overall objectives in the project's webpage or OPN webpage
Achievements
2019 marks one of the major years of the project. In this year, various factors have influenced both the progression and deference in the conduct of some of the activities that support the overall goal to promote an SCP responsive food service industry along with support of the current political setting and demand-driven SCP products and services. One contributory component to the project's implementation were the 2019 Philippine Midterm Elections (when in 2019?), which comprised new selections for the following positions: 12 Senators, 61 Party-List Representatives, 244 Legislative District Representatives or Congressmen, 81 Governors, 81 Vice Governors, 780 Members of the Provincial Board, 1634 City/ Municipal Mayors, 1634 City/Municipal Vice Mayors and 13, 544 City/ Municipal Councillors. Of these, the most important positions influencing the project as potential partners on the ground are the mayoralty, vice-mayoralty and councillor positions. Though the project has exceeded its target in gathering partnerships from the food service industry from the three key cities, participation of business partners in the project might be hindered by ingrained unsustainable business practices. There is, moreover, the problem of the team being overwhelmed by its own success (currently 24 partner restaurants), which might result in delays in the release of results and manpower limitations of the project to visit each partner restaurant
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Thailand: Promoting local-specific certification schemes for organic agriculture
Thailand: Promoting local-specific certification schemes for organic agriculture
Regions
Asia / Pacific
Lead organization
WWF Thailand
Objective
Participatory Guarantee Systems are certification systems with locally specific guidelines for organic agriculture. Producer participation in the development of the standards and within the control mechanisms is paramount, with an attempt to devolve the power to act and make decisions to the farmers. Joint development of the standard and mutual support and control through peer review processes are key features. Some agriculture in Thailand is done in areas without clear land tenure documents. However, to meet common criteria of organic farming standards, land tenure documents and financial resources to hire inspectors are required. PGS, on the other hand, can be applied in areas without clear land titles.
Achievements
Being part of a PGS initiative allows farmers to sell their produce at markets at higher prices. WWF Thailand supports the cooperatives with appropriate training. The local-specific PGS has gained nationwide recognition from the government and major retailers, securing marketplaces for her community's organic produce. Pumpkin, orange, taro, cacao and cashew now provide the communities with income. Farmers who have shifted to sustainable agriculture can record positive impacts with the results, and those who haven't already shifted are now considering it.
Impact and Results
During project implementation, recommendations and guidelines on sustainable consumption and production have been developed and integrated into political policy-making processes such as NDCs revision. Businesses have been informed about the benefits of sustainable production practices, and have received support for implementation. The multi-level approach (government, business, and consumers) provides the best opportunities for a long-term impact.
Through regular sharing of experiences and communication among the target countries, innovative methods will be multiplied and scaled up on a regional level. The close cooperation with the UNEP 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP), the Consumer Information Programme as well as the Sustainable Food Systems Programme has allowed to incorporate lessons learned, best practices and to rely on internationally recognized frameworks to develop context-based solutions.
Next steps and how to get involved
Contact: lisa.christel@wwf.de