Who's involved
The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) is advanced through the work of a diverse coalition of organizations dedicated to protecting forests, natural ecosystems, and human rights by making ethical production and trade the new normal. This coalition includes the AFi Steering Group, Supporting Partners, and Backbone Team, supported by the funders listed below. The Private Sector Advisory Group provides input and guidance on the AFi’s work from the perspective of its private sector users.
See below for more information on each of these contributors.
AFi Steering Group
The Steering Group is the AFi’s governing body, responsible for taking decisions about the initiative’s strategic direction as well as approving all material within the Accountability Framework. The Steering Group is composed of civil society representatives addressing environmental and human rights issues from both global and tropical country perspectives. The Steering Group strives to take all decisions by consensus, according to its Terms of Reference.
Supporting Partners
The AFi Supporting Partners extend the reach and positive impact of the AFi by promoting use of the Accountability Framework by companies, industry groups, financial institutions, governments, and other sustainability initiatives, both globally and in commodity-producing countries. By participating in the AFi, these partners are better able to advance their sustainability objectives and priorities. For more information on the Supporting Partners please see the Terms of Reference.
Backbone Team
The Backbone Team is the AFi’s secretariat. The team coordinates AFi coalition activities and decision–making, supports development of Framework materials and resources, assists users applying the Framework, and leads communications and programme administration. The Backbone Team is co-hosted by the Rainforest Alliance and Meridian Institute.
AFi Southeast Asia Coalition
The AFi Southeast Asia Coalition works to support companies and other stakeholders to mainstream responsible commodity production and trade for the agricultural and forestry sectors in Southeast Asia. It is comprised of regional representatives of the AFi’s global Steering Group and Supporting Partner members and works in coordination with the Backbone Team and other AFi members to advance the AFi’s strategic direction and goals in Southeast Asia, with focus on Indonesia and Malaysia.
Private Sector Advisory Group
The Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) is a consultative body consisting of representatives of companies, industry groups, and financial institutions focused on the agriculture or forestry sectors. The group advises the AFi on how it can add the greatest value in helping the private sector address issues of deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and human rights in commodity supply chains, including by effectively linking action on these topics to company goals on climate, nature, and sustainable development. The PSAG is not part of the AFi coalition and does not participate in AFi decision-making.
Private Sector Advisory Group members
Anton van den Brink, European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC)
Rob Coviello, Bunge
Katerina Elias-Trostmann, BNP Paribas
Peter Garbutt, McDonald’s
Emily Kunen, Pepsico
Juliana Lopes, Amaggi
Kevin Rabinovitch, Mars
Lucie Smith, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Roslyn Stein, Axa Group
Olivier Tichit, Musim Mas
Donors
The Accountability Framework initiative currently receives funding from:
See details on grants here.
Learn more about the initiative
Our story
In late 2016, a unique coalition came together to close the gap between commitments and results in corporate efforts to address deforestation, conversion, and human rights. Together, they launched the AFi and led a consultative process to develop the Accountability Framework, which is now being applied worldwide to help make ethical supply chains the new normal.
FAQs
Answers to your questions about the AFi and the Accountability Framework.