(HCVs) and the RSPO - HCV Resource Network

High Conservation Values
(HCVs) and the RSPO
RSPO RT7 – HCV side event 2 nd November 2009
Dr Christopher Stewart – HCV Resource Network
christopher@hcvnetwork.org
www.hcvnetwork.org

HCV side event at RSPO RT7
• 5:30 pm - Introduction to the HCV Resource
Network – structure and aims, SG
• 6:00 pm - Presentations from RSPO
stakeholders: projects, challenges and
progress + clarification questions
• 7:15 pm - Break 15 mins – refreshments
and questions from the floor for Panel
• 7:30 pm - Panel discussion – key challenges,
and responses

What is the High Conservation
Value framework?
• A set of explicit criteria (the six HCVs)
•An assessment process for conservation priorities
• A management decision tool
• A key component of major sustainability standards

The six High Conservation Values (I)
Biodiversity
HCV1 - Significant concentrations of biodiversity values
(RTE species, endemics, migratory etc).
Landscapes
HCV2 – Large, landscape level forests/areas where most
species exist in natural patterns of distribution and
abundance.
Ecosystems
HCV3 - Rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems.

The six High Conservation Values (II)
Ecosystem services
HCV4 - Basic ecosystem services in critical situations.
Livelihoods
HCV 5 - Basic needs of local communities.
Cultural identity
HCV6 - Local communities’ traditional cultural identity

The HCV process
Identify
Manage
Consu ultation
Monitor

Many processes use HCV
• Active commodity certification schemes
– Forestry: FSC, MTCC,
– Palm oil: RSPO
• Natural resource sustainability standards
– Soy: RTRS (+ Basel Criteria),
– Sugar cane: BSI
– Biofuels: RTFO, RSB, Cramer Principles
– Carbon: Climate Carbon and Biodiversity Alliance, CCBA
• Purchasing and investment policies
– Many banks, manufacturers, retailers
• National /regional land use planning
– National/regional guidelines (Russia, China, Bulgaria, Romania… Indonesia*)
– NGO national conservation priority mapping (e.g. WWF, TNC)

HCV Challenges
• Consistent and credible use of the concept,
including national interpretations
• Appropriate tools and methodologies
• Adaptation to non-forest ecosystems
• Training and technical capacity building
• Issues of scale and responsibility
• Safeguards for using HCV
– in a conversion context (including timber and
pulp plantations and agri-commodities)
–outside of certification
i

The HCV Resource Network
• A voluntary association of
people and organisations
using the HCV approach,
bound by a Charter and its
Guiding Principles:
– Definition of 6 HCVs
– HCV assessment processes:
• Identification, Management,
Monitoring of all 6 HCVs
• Context t (landscape, threats) t • Knowledge-based,
participative, transparent
– Safeguards framework
• Made up of:
– Steering Group (12 orgs.)
– Technical Panel (21 experts)
– Secretariat (ProForest)
– Participants: YOU!

The HCV Resource Network
4 Key Strategic Aims:
• Provide a credible central point of reference
• Support development and implementation of the HCV concept
• Provide a governance and quality control function
• Promote the use of HCV in emerging and potential applications
www.hcvnetwork.org

Activities relevant to RSPO
• Agreed to cooperate proactively with RSPO on HCV issues, seeking a
closer working relationship
• Seeking to bring suitable agribusiness representative into SG
• Expansion of Technical Panel TBA – social and industry-based
expertise
• Guidance to RSPO on qualifications for HCV Assessors ref. New
Plantings WG
• TP Peer Review of HCV assessment for Wilmar PANP estate in public
domain - welcome other Peer Review submissions
• Proposal for an Indonesia-based d national/regional i l office of HCV
Network under review
• Other projects on land use planning and large scale mapping in the
pipeline

To find out more and to join our
Network:
www.hcvnetwork.org