The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan to mitigate negative impacts of unsustainable pest management methods on the environment and human health.

Restricted and hazardous pesticides that endanger the health of workers , families, communities , or the environment shall be not be used, unless in exceptional circumstances as validated by a due diligence process or when authorised by government authorities for pest outbreaks.

This shall include pesticides that are:

A) Categorised as World Health Organization Class 1A or 1B;

B) Meet the criteria for carcinogenicity Categories 1A and 1B, mutagenicity Categories 1A and 1B, or reproductive toxicity Categories 1A and 1B, according to the Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS);

C) Listed by the Stockholm or Rotterdam Conventions;

D) Restricted or prohibited under national regulations; and/or

E) Paraquat.

The Unit of Certification shall record all pesticides usage. Records shall include the pesticide's trade name, active ingredient , LD50, quantity of active ingredient used, period of usage, location/area of application, and reason for usage.

There shall be no prophylactic use of pesticides , unless in exceptional circumstances, as identified in national best practice guidelines.

The Unit of Certification shall not launch aerial sprayings of pesticides , unless in exceptional circumstances where no other viable alternatives are available. When aerial spraying is unavoidable, prior approval from government authorities shall be obtained and detailed information of the aerial spraying shall be provided to potentially affected local communities at least 48 hours prior to application of aerial spraying . Targeted spraying with unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is permitted.

The introduction of species referenced in the Global Invasive Species Database and/or CABI Digital Library and/or national regulation shall be prohibited.

Where the use of the invasive or prohibited species was already in place before November 2024, the Unit of Certification shall manage the usage of such species in line with internationally accepted scientific protocols or national regulations.

The use of fire for pest or disease control shall be prohibited, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Where fire must be used for control of pests and diseases, the Unit of Certification shall provide evidence of prior approval from government authorities and implement a plan to prevent, mitigate, and/or repair damages to the environment.

"A Unit of Certification should apply recognised IPM techniques that incorporate cultural, biological, mechanical, and physical methods to minimise the use of chemicals. Native species should be used in biological control where possible.

In general, an IPM plan consists of the follow steps:

A) Identification of pest(s) and available control measures;

B) Implementation of the plan with clear objectives to reduce negative impacts;

C) Management and monitoring, including update/review process; and

D) Focus on invasive introduced species (if any)*.

*Invasive introduced species are such species that exist in the Unit of Certification's operational activities (Reference: Indicator 7.1.6)."

"Restricted and hazardous pesticides, especially Highly Hazardous Pesticides, are to be avoided for usage unless absolutely necessary with documented evidence of validation or authorisation that was no other alternative available.

Availability of a chemical register or pesticide inventory - including records of pesticide usage and restricted/hazardous pesticide usage with relevant justification (if any) - may or may not be sufficient to show avoidance of use; in some cases, additional verification may be required through, or to follow up on, interviews with workers and stakeholders .

Measures to avoid the development of chemical resistance (such as pesticide rotations) should be applied."

"LD50 refers to the amount of a particular chemical that is lethal to one-half (50%) of the experimental subjects exposed to it."

Exceptional circumstances refer to situations where prophylactic use of pesticides - i.e., pre-emptive usage to eradicate pests or diseases - is the only available option to control the situation or outbreak. Such prophylactic use should be supported by documented evidence of agronomist advice, with validation or authorisation, denoting that was no other alternative available.

Targeted spraying in aerial pesticide application refers to a precise method of applying pesticide only to the specific area(s) infested by the pest, disease, and/or weeds. Care should be taken in any aerial spraying using drones to minimise exposure to non-target areas, organisms, and the health of workers in the vicinity and the drone operator(s).

"Invasive species’, also known as ‘alien invasive species’, are species whose introduction, establishment, and spread into new areas threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species and cause social, economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health.
(Reference: FAO, 2007:82)

UoCs should periodically check for any updates to the Global Invasive Species Database (https://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/) and the CABI Digital Library (https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/) for species considered as invasive. The most current version of the GISD and CABI serves as a reference for this indicator. "

For this indicator, managing the use of invasive or prohibited species previously introduced refers to continuous identification, assessment, and monitoring to minimise any associated risk(s).

"Exceptional circumstances refer to conditions or considerations in which fire - specifically for the control of pest and/or disease outbreaks - is the only available option to control the situation or eliminate the outbreak from further spread. Such use of fire for controlled burning should be limited and controlled, and supported by documented evidence of government approval or authorisation, referencing existing guidelines such as the ‘Guidelines for the Implementation of the ASEAN Policy on Zero Burning’ 2003 or equivalent comparable guidelines/regulations in other regions.

Land affected by such use of fire should be restored, or left to rehabilitate back, to its previous land use function. "

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a waste management plan to reduce, minimise, recycle, and reuse waste produced from its operations and non-operational activities. The plan shall also include responsible disposal of waste or by-products, where applicable.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a nutrient recycling plan. The nutrient recycling plan shall include the recycling of biomass (i.e., Empty Fruit Bunches/EFB, Palm Oil Mill Effluent/POME, palm residues) and optimal use of inorganic fertilisers.

The Unit of Certification shall demonstrate that workers have job-specific training to implement the waste management plan.

The use of fire as a measure for waste disposal shall be prohibited, unless in exceptional circumstances. Direct disposal of waste into watercourses or other ecosystems shall be prohibited.

"The waste management plan should include measures for:

A) Improving the efficiency of resource utilisation and recycling potential waste as nutrients (Reference: Indicator 7.2.2) or conversion into value-added products (e.g. through animal feeding programmes);

B) Appropriate management and disposal of hazardous chemicals (and their containers). Surplus chemical containers should be reused, recycled or disposed of in an environmentally and socially responsible way using recommended best practices (e.g. returned to the vendor or cleaned using a triple rinse method), in such a way that there is no risk of contamination. Disposal instructions on the manufacturers’ labels should be adhered to.

Waste generated from a UoC's operations include waste produced from cultivation of oil palms and production of palm oil at the mill(s), including associated processes such as transport and plantation/estate management. Waste generated from a UoC's non-operational activities can include waste from a UoC's administrative offices, worker housing, or infrastructure facilities.

Non-recyclable or re-usable waste or by-products should be responsibly disposed, in particular hazardous or harmful materials such as used chemicals, batteries, and effluent that require controlled handling or process treatment to a level where it no longer poses a risk to the environment or human health. National laws and regulations serve as the reference for responsible disposal."

Optimal use of inorganic fertilisers refers to the right type of in organic fertiliser applied using the right dosage, at the right time, and in the right location. Soil and leaf nutrient analysis can be used to determine this.

Health and safety aspects of waste management are taken into account (Reference: Criterion 6.9).

Unprocessed waste must be properly treated in such a way that there is no longer any material risk to the environment or human health when discharged, based on national laws and regulations (where applicable) or reference international regulations/guidelines.

Areas of steep terrain , marginal soil (s), and fragile soil (s) shall be identified and mapped. Soil surveys and topographic information shall guide the planning of drainage and irrigation systems, roads, and other infrastructure of the Unit of Certification.

To demonstrate the long-term suitability of land for oil palm cultivation, soil maps or soil surveys identifying marginal and fragile soils , including steep terrain , shall be taken into account in plans and operations .

The Unit of Certification shall not conduct new plantings and extensive replanting of oil palm on steep terrain .

The Unit of Certification shall not conduct new plantings and/or new development on marginal soil (s) and/or fragile soil (s).

Procedural Note
The RSPO New Planting Procedure shall be updated to reflect this requirement.

In the event there is any replanting on marginal soil (s) and/or fragile soil (s), the Unit of Certification shall manage the area in accordance with the 'RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Soil'.

Procedural Note
RSPO shall develop the 'RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Soil' guidance document. Other soil management approaches to maintain the environmental integrity of marginal soil (s) and/or fragile soil (s) may apply. 

"Maps should follow common cartographic standards and match the area disclosed to RSPO in the UoC's most recent Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA) map submitted.

Areas located within the plantation's perimeter considered unsuitable for long-term oil palm cultivation should be delineated in plans and included for conservation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

Soil surveys or soil suitability maps should be appropriate to the scale of operation and include information on soil type(s), topography, hydrology, rooting depth, moisture availability, stoniness, and fertility. Such surveys can be done independently or as part of an SEIA (Reference: Criterion 3.3). Particular care should be taken in the case of scheme smallholders , where the UoC should assist in the soil suitability assessment of their scheme smallholders' land. "

Peat can be considered a fragile soil. Where peat soils are identified and mapped within a UoC's perimeter, the indicators of Criterion 7.4 should be referenced for indicators within Criterion 7.3. Maps produced for Indicator 7.3.1 can be standalone or can integrated the RSPO Peat Inventory procedures (Reference: Indicator 7.4.2).

Soil types requiring specific appropriate practices should be identified for planning. Techniques and practices to minimise soil erosion should be adopted (where appropriate), such as ground cover management, biomass recycling, terracing, natural regeneration over replanting, appropriate use of heavy machinery, terracing on slopes, responsible road construction, rapid establishment of cover, or protection of riverbanks.

There shall be no new plantings and/or development on peatlands , regardless of depth, after 15 November 2018.

The Unit of Certification shall map and have inventories of all areas of peatlands (planted and unplanted) in accordance with RSPO procedures on Peat Inventory. The UoC shall make its map and other inventory information available to the RSPO Secretariat.

Any activities by the Unit of Certification that may disrupt peatland ecosystem integrity or hydrology including new construction of drains, roads, dams, bunds, levees, and/or power lines on unplanted and set-aside peatlands shall be prohibited.

The Unit of Certification shall protect and manage all unplanted and set-aside peatlands , guided by the latest version of 'RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Management and Rehabilitation of Peatlands' and associated audit guidance.

All existing plantings on peat are managed according to the latest version of ‘RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat' and associated audit guidance.

To determine the suitability of replanting on peat , the Unit of Certification shall conduct a drainability assessment for oil palm planted on peat in accordance with the latest 'RSPO Drainability Assessment Procedure '.

Where a RSPO Drainability Assessment report indicates a phasing out of oil palm cultivation of at least 40 years, or two cycles (whichever is greater), before reaching the natural gravity drainability limit for peat , the Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a plan to replace with crops suitable for a higher water table (e.g., paludiculture ) or to rehabilitate with natural vegetation.

Areas of peat (planted and unplanted) inventoried in accordance with the RSPO procedures on Peat Inventory is submitted to the RSPO Secretariat for reference and monitoring, using the RSPO Peat Inventory template (including other required materials i.e., the UoC's peat map). 'Make.... available' in the context of this indicator refers to the official acceptance by the RSPO Secretariat of the UoC's map, as submitted.

Construction activities or infrastructure development mandated or authorised by the national or sub-national government of a country within a UoC's perimeters are excluded from the scope of this indicator. In such cases, the UoC is expected to provide justification for the exclusion.

"For existing plantings on peat , the water table should be maintained at an average of 50cm (within a range of 40cm and 60cm) below ground surface as measured with groundwater piezometer readings, or an average of 60cm (within a range of 50cm and 70cm) below ground surface as measured in water collection drains; through a network of appropriate water control structures (e.g. weirs, sandbags, etc.) in fields; and/or watergates at the discharge points of main drains. If the national laws or regulations of a country require a different minimum water table level for peat soils, the stricter of the two applies.

Monitoring of subsidence should be undertaken in all drained peat areas in the plantation including areas adjacent to the plantation where water tables may be impacted by associated drainage. The following aspects should be documented and considered for long-term planning:

A) Peat subsidence level;

B) Efficacy of water level management; and

C) Efficacy of ground cover management."

Where applicable to its operations , a UoC must conduct a RSPO Drainability Assessment Procedure - Drainability Assessment Procedure at least five years before any replanting activity. Replanting is dependent on the approval of the Drainability Assessment Procedure report. These requirements should be taken into account as the UoC develops its long-term replanting plan (Reference: Indicator 3.1.2).

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a water management plan* to promote more efficient use to maintain quality, and continued availability of surface and groundwater, in consultation with affected communities .

The plan shall address the following:

A) The UoC does not restrict access to clean water or contribute to pollution of water used by communities ; and

B) Workers shall have adequate access to clean water.

*National Interpretations should further define the process and developing the water management plan, based on the national context.

The Unit of Certification shall record water consumption (mill water use per metric tonne of product) and water withdrawal (total water volume extracted from surface and groundwater source) at the UoC's mill(s).

The Unit of Certification shall protect watercourses and wetlands by maintaining and restoring appropriate riparian reserves and other buffer zones, in line with the latest version of the ‘RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves’.

The Unit of Certification shall treat and process palm oil mill effluent (POME) in compliance with applicable national regulations. Discharge quantity and quality of the palm oil mill effluent, especially Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) , shall be regularly monitored.

"The water management plan includes measures to:

A) Maintain natural hydrological patterns and stream flows;

B) Consideration of relevant stakeholders , their water use, and water resource availability;

C) Ensure the efficiency of use and renewability of water sources;

D) Ensure that the use and management of water by the UoC does not result in adverse impacts on other users within the catchment area, including local communities and customary water users;

E) Aim to ensure that local communities , workers and their families have access to adequate, clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning purposes; and

F) Avoid contamination of surface and ground water through runoff of soil, nutrients or chemicals, or as a result of inadequate disposal of waste including Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)."

"Water consumption is the total amount of water in megalitres (mL) used by the UoC's mill(s) in the production of a metric tonne of crude palm oil (CPO) or palm kernel (PK). Water used for production that has been treated and released back as safe surface water or groundwater (water discharge) can be excluded.

Water withdrawal is the total amount of water withdrawn in megalitres (mL) for use by the UoC's mill(s) from the following sources: surface water; groundwater; seawater; produced water; and third-party water. Surface water and groundwater refer to naturally-occurring above ground and underground sources of water, respectively. Third-party water refers to water sourced from municipal, public or private water utilities or suppliers. In the context of a palm oil mill, seawater or produced water generally do not apply as sources of water.

If the UoC is located in an area of known water stress, this should be noted.
(All reference to GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018 reporting standard, Global Reporting Initiative, https://www.globalreporting.org/)."

Watercourses can include rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, spring, creeks, or coastal water bodies (or any part thereof).

If the national laws or regulations of a country do not specify any minimum treatment requirements and/or discharge quality limits for POME, this can be defined through a National Interpretation process. International recommendation/guidelines or regulations of neighbouring/similar countries can be used as reference.

The Unit of Certification shall identify and assess its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through the latest version of RSPO PalmGHG calculator to develop and implement an emissions reduction plan. The plan to reduce or minimise GHG emissions shall be implemented and monitored.

The Unit of Certification shall publicly report its GHG emissions per product, as estimated through the latest version of RSPO PalmGHG calculator.

The Unit of Certification shall estimate the carbon stock of the proposed development area and major potential sources of emissions that may result directly from the development since 2014. The Unit of Certification shall prepare and implement a plan to protect the carbon stock, following the 'RSPO GHG Assessment Procedure for New Development'.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a plan to reduce or minimise significant air pollutants (apart from greenhouse gases ).

*National Interpretations should determine any relevant national air pollution standards or thresholds.

The Unit of Certification shall prohibit the use of fire for land preparation of new plantings , development , and/or replanting .

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement fire prevention process(es)/procedure(s) to reduce fire risk in all areas under the UoC. The process/procedure should be developed in engagement with relevant stakeholders .

A plan for improving the efficiency of, or minimising, fossil fuel usage shall be developed and implemented. The plan shall consider the role and usage of renewable energy to replace or reduce fossil fuels.

"The UoC's plan to reduce or minimise GHG emissions should cover:

A) Identification and assessment of the key GHG emissions risk areas within the UoC's operations using the RSPO PalmGHG calculator;

B) Clear objectives and implementable actions to reduce and mitigate the identified GHG emissions;

C) Management and monitoring of GHG emission within the UoC over time for efficacy; and

D) Emerging and potential technologies (if any) that could be utilised and implemented for additional reduction or minimisation of GHG emissions.

 

A GHG emission reduction or minimisation target must be clear (i.e., based on a defined scope), specific (e.g., 'Reduce Scope 1 emissions by 20% overall'), measurable (e.g., 'Reduce Scope 1 emissions by 5% annually'), and timebound (i.e., a commitment to achieve the overall target within a specified timeline, for example, 'by 2030' or 'within 5 years').

The latest version of the RSPO PalmGHG Calculator is being developed in alignment with the latest GHG Protocol Standards, based on the GHG Protocol's Scope 1, 2, and 3 framework for measuring and inventorying GHG emissions. For details, please refer to the latest PalmGHG Guidance Document. "

GHG emissions per product can include Crude Palm Oil (CPO), Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO), and/or Palm Kernel (PK). Estimates generated by the PalmGHG calculator use defined data inputs provided by the UoC, and then verified by auditors during RSPO P&C audits. The UoC's GHG emissions per product must be published in its public summary RSPO P&C audit report as 'publicly reported'.

New developments, in general, should only be proposed to be established on mineral soils, in low carbon stock areas, and/or existing cultivated areas already under agricultural land use (e.g., rubber, tree crops) that is suitable for oil palm cultivation.

"Examples of significant air pollutants include sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), and other airborne pollutants recognised by national or international guidelines as major contributors to severe degradation of air quality. The UoC's plan to reduce or minimise this should consist of:

A) Identification and types of air pollutants present in, or generated by, the UoC's operations ;

B) Level of significance and scale of the identified air pollutants;

C) Source(s) of the identified air pollutants;

D) Potential measures or actions to reduce or minimise such air pollutants;

E) Achievable and measurable reduction targets based on application of those measures or actions; and

F) Implementation and monitoring to track progress and adjust the plan, if necessary. "

In the event that land within the UoC is affected by fire for reasons beyond management control, the land affected or degraded by such fires should be restored, or left to rehabilitate back, to its previous land use function.

"Fire risks include spontaneous wildfires caused by dry conditions and fire spread from open burning by surrounding communities, which can be exacerbated by extreme weather patterns and events. The RSPO Fire Hotspot Monitoring System and other available public fire monitoring tools can serve as early warning signals for potential fire risk.
"

"Gradual reduction in fossil fuel use within palm oil operations can be achieved by optimising transport, upgrading machinery, and/or adopting energy-saving practices in mills and plantations. The UoC should assess the direct energy use (including fuel and electricity) and energy efficiency of its operations, especially in the planning of infrastructure construction or upgrading.

Direct fossil fuel use per metric tonne of CPO (mill) or FFB (plantation) produced should be monitored (Reference: Indicator 7.6.1 as fossil fuel usage is an input in PalmGHG calculations) and should cover fuel use by the on-site workforce , including all transport and machinery operations.

The feasibility of collecting and using biogas captured from POME treatment for power generation (Reference: Indicator 7.5.4) or other renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, biomass) should be assessed for potential implementation. "

A Unit of Certification shall not damage primary forest and HCVs (from November 2005) and HCS Forests (from 15 November 2018). HCVs, HCS forests, and other conservation areas are identified for protection according to the following scenarios:

1) A Unit of Certification (or parts thereof) with existing plantations and no new land clearing (after November 2018) shall provide evidence of a valid HCV assessment.

2) A Unit of Certification (or parts thereof) that followed the transitional measures in P&C 2018 (Refer to 'Interpretation of Indicator 7.12.2 and Annex 5 of RSPO P&C 2018') shall provide evidence that a valid HCV, and/or standalone HCSA assessment, and/or Integrated HCV-HCS assessment (as applicable) was conducted before any new land clearing .

3) A Unit of Certification (or parts thereof) not covered by Scenario 2 with any new land clearing after 15 November 2018 shall provide evidence that:

a) Land clearing is preceded by an Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS) integrated HCV-HCS assessment, using the Integrated HCV-HCSA Assessment Manual valid at the time of the assessment (either the November 2017 or June 2023 version of the Manual).

b) Compliance with the requirements of the New Planting Procedure (NPP) 2015, and subsequent revisions of the NPP.

Procedural Note

For details of the scenarios, refer to Annex 3 (to be developed and approved by the RSPO Standards Standing Committee). Annex 3 will be based on the 'Interpretation of Indicator 7.12.2 and Annex 5 of RSPO P&C 2018', to be updated for validity.

For all land clearing since November 2005, the Unit of Certification shall provide evidence of a historic Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA).

Where there has been land clearing without prior HCV assessment since November 2005, or without a prior Integrated HCV-HCSA Assessment since 15 November 2018, the 'RSPO Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP)' applies.

Where HCVs and/or HCS forests have been identified, the Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a management & monitoring plan to protect and/or enhance HCVs and/or HCS forests. This plan shall make clear the roles of affected communities in implementation; shall be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders ; and shall include the directly managed area and any relevant wider landscape level considerations (where these are identified).

This management & monitoring plan shall include, but is not limited to the following (if applicable):

A) All RTE species (HCV-1);

B) Management of human-wildlife conflict (threats to HCVs);

C) Other conservation areas; and

D A programme to socialise the status of RTE species to the workforce .

The Unit of Certification shall adapt , where necessary, the management & monitoring plan to protect and/or enhance HCVs and/or HCS forests (Refer to Indicator 7.7.3). The plan shall be reviewed at least once every five years. Outcomes of the monitoring activities shall be used to update the management & monitoring plan.

Procedural Note

RSPO shall develop a guidance on changes in HCV conditions and status to support implementation of the management & monitoring plan.

Where rights of local communities have been identified in HCV areas, HCS forest after 15 November 2018, and other conservation areas , there is no diminishment of these rights without evidence of a negotiated agreement, obtained through FPIC.

"Damaging' primary forests , HCVs , and HCS forests refers to land clearance by the UoC categorised as Non-Compliant Land Clearing (NCLC), defined and assessed through a RSPO Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA).

Assessment of compliance falls under three scenarios, based on land status and the timing of land clearing :

1) For existing plantations with no new land clearing after November 2018, evidence of a valid HCV assessment is required, and the version of the assessment manual used must align with RSPO requirements applicable at the time. An ALS-licensed assessor is not required.

2) For UoCs that followed the transitional measures in the P&C 2018, evidence of a valid HCV, standalone HCSA, or Integrated HCV-HCS assessment conducted before land clearing is required. Any land clearing under this scenario must have been registered by 13 September 2019 with the RSPO Secretariat; otherwise, a new HCV-HCSA assessment is required. The version of the assessment manual used must be verified. An ALS-licensed assessor is not required, provided the assessment was completed before the deadline.

3) For new land clearing after 15 November 2018 that was not covered under the transitional measures of scenario 2), evidence that an ALS-integrated HCV-HCSA assessment was conducted is required, using the assessment manual valid at the time (either the November 2017 or the June 2023 version). An ALS-licensed assessor is required. RSPO New Planting Procedure requirements also apply. "

"The management & monitoring plan under Indicator 7.7.3 should be developed utilising findings from the relevant HCV and/or HCV-HCSA assessment as a baseline. Data from complementary sources such as the Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA); peatland management requirements (Reference: Criterion 7.4); Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes; and other identified conservation areas (including riparian zones) should also be integrated into the baseline to provide a comprehensive understanding of the conservation and management needs within a Unit of Certification.

The plan should be tailored to address any specific findings from the assessments mentioned above, focusing on conserving and enhancing HCVs and HCS forests while managing threats such as human-wildlife conflict and habitat degradation. Clear measures are to be outlined for the protection of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered (RTE) species , the management of other conservation areas , and the promotion of workforce awareness on conservation priorities.

The scope of the plan should be realistic and achievable, targeting actions within direct control of the UoC. Additional collaboration(s) with relevant stakeholders active in the immediate area before and during implementation can be beneficial to overall success of the plan.

The role of affected communities includes - but is not limited to - participation of those communities in managing HCVs , HCS forests, training or capacity building on HCVs, HCS forest protection and conservation, and monitoring."

" Adapting the management & monitoring plan is the process of adjusting the UoC's existing management actions to protect and/or conserve HCVs and HCS forests to accommodate actual changes in the status and conditions of those HCVs and HCS forests.

Until the RSPO Guidance is developed and endorsed for application, the HCVN Common Guidance for the Management and Monitoring of HCV (version published December 30, 2021, www.hcvnetwork.org) can serve as a reference guidance for this indicator. "

"Reference: Principle 4 for applicable requirements on respecting the rights of local communities and reaching a negotiated agreement through the process of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

A variety of land management and tenure options should be considered by the UoC to secure HCV areas in ways that also secure local peoples ’ rights and livelihoods . Some areas are best allocated to community management and secured through customary or legal tenures. In other cases, co-management options may be considered. Where communities are asked to relinquish rights so that HCVs can be protected or enhanced by the UoC or state agencies, great care needs to be taken to ensure that they retain access to adequate land and resources to secure their basic needs, and all such relinquishment of rights is subject to obtain their FPIC."