Find a delivery partner to help you achieve your supply chain goals
The AFi works closely with delivery partners that offer tailored support to companies working to set and achieve supply chain goals that are aligned with the Accountability Framework.
From benchmarking company policies against the Framework, to developing and implementing action plans, to supporting monitoring and reporting, the delivery partners listed below offer expert advice and services at global and regional levels.
If you need help connecting with a partner that meets your needs, please get in touch.
Note: The AFi does not accredit delivery partners or hold any form of commercial relationship with them. All partners listed below engage regularly with the AFi and are trained to offer Accountability Framework-aligned services and tools to accelerate the journey toward responsible supply chains.
AFi Coalition members
Efeca
Efeca
Key services
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Advice and technical support to public and private sectors on policy commitments, regulations, and implementation guidance for responsible sourcing of forest risk commodities
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Trade and market analysis; providing strategic insights, reports and reflections
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Messaging, education, and awareness support to communicate progress and future action
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Strategic analysis and evaluation services; providing recommendations to increase effectiveness for both companies and a range of global programmes
Profile
Efeca is a certified B Corp, which involves a legal commitment to making business decisions that create a positive impact for the environment, customers, suppliers, employees, and the community. A member of the Accountability Framework initiative's (AFi) Coalition, as well as a Tropical Forest Alliance partner, World Economic Forum preferred supplier, and UN Global Compact signatory, the Efeca team of technical experts works with a wide range of clients across public, private, finance, and civil society sectors to create a positive impact for people and planet.
Efeca builds global engagements at national and local levels in over 30 countries. It works across agricultural and forest risk commodities, including palm oil, soya, timber, pulp and paper, cattle (beef and leather), sugar, coffee, cocoa, and rubber. In its engagements, Efeca provides facilitation, strategic planning, and programme support on responsible sourcing, and on sustainable trade and use of agricultural and forest commodities. Projects range from large, international donor programmes to the delivery of bespoke trainings for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs).
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Preferred by Nature
Preferred by Nature
Key services
Benchmarking of corporate policies and systems against the Accountability Framework Use of the Accountability Framework-aligned ‘Sustainability Framework’ to conduct commodity-specific risk assessment, monitoring, and verification of social and environmental performance Supply chain engagement
Profile
Preferred by Nature is an international non-profit organisation that works to support better land management and business practices that benefit people, nature, and the climate. For more than 25 years, Preferred by Nature has worked to foster sustainable land use and responsible trade in forest and agricultural commodities through innovation projects, capacity building, certification, and sustainability services. Preferred by Nature has more than 270 staff and activities in over 100 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Preferred by Nature supports strong sustainable impact on the ground by offering a set of tailored sustainability advisory services that are aligned with the Accountability Framework. Core service packages include benchmarking corporate policies and systems to best practice, supply chain engagement to help you build trust with your supply chain actors and using Preferred by Nature’s AFi-aligned Sustainability Framework to conduct commodity-specific ESG risk assessments, and monitoring and verification of social and environmental performance.
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Proforest
Proforest
Key services
- Support to companies in achieving responsible sourcing and production, aligned with the Accountability Framework
- Support to voluntary standards and multi-stakeholder initiatives in aligning with the Accountability Framework
- Effective collaboration, including on multi-stakeholder and landscape initiatives
- Capacity building through tools and guidance, the NDPE Implementation Reporting Framework, and training
Profile
Proforest is a global organisation working in more than 30 countries and with more than 20 years of experience in global supply chains. The core commodities covered in their consultancy services and grant-funded programmes are palm oil, sugar, soy, beef, rubber, cocoa, and timber and forest products. They also have experience working with coconut, coffee, cotton, red seaweed, pineapple, plantain and shea.
Proforest’s mission is to support agricultural and forestry production that delivers positive outcomes for people, nature and climate
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Rainforest Alliance Corporate Advisory
Rainforest Alliance Corporate Advisory
Key services
- Benchmarking of company policies and practices against the Accountability Framework using the AFi self-assessment tool, and support in developing action plans to achieve alignment
- Supply chain mapping, risk assessment, and supplier engagement
- Support to develop corporate policies that address no deforestation, no conversion, human rights, and responsible sourcing guidelines
- Capacity-building
Profile
Rainforest Alliance’s Corporate Advisory team supports companies in developing or strengthening policies to address deforestation, conversion, and human rights issues for forest-risk commodities such as palm, rubber, pulp and paper, and wood. Company commitments, implementation mechanisms, and reporting systems are assessed against the Accountability Framework. This process includes identifying gaps and working with the client’s sustainability and procurement teams to develop action plans for achieving ethical supply chains. Trainings for company clients and their suppliers are also offered. Rainforest Alliance also offers PIP, a mapping tool that supports traceability of palm, timber, pulp and paper, and rubber. This is complemented with other supply chain services such as risk assessment and development of supplier management procedures.
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Verité
Verité
Key services
- Benchmarking and improvement of human rights policies, codes of conduct, and other Human Rights Due Diligence tools, in alignment with the Accountability Framework, the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and other legislation
- Setting and tracking best-in-class human rights objectives, indicators, and targets
- Assessing human rights risks, identifying salient issues, and building action plans at enterprise, supply chain, and farm/field level to tackle those issues
- Customised training programs to enhance the human rights capabilities of sustainability teams, agricultural processing operations, agronomists, field-based staff, farmers, and workers
Profile
Verité is a mission-driven, fully non-profit, international labour rights NGO that specialises in providing technical assistance to companies, governments, and civil society organisations to drive progress on labour issues in global supply chains. Verité staff are recognised global experts on forced labour and human trafficking for labour exploitation, responsible recruitment of workers, child labour, freedom of association, and fair, safe, and healthy conditions of work.
Verité has pioneered approaches to human rights due diligence at scale, through initiatives like CUMULUS Forced Labor Screen™, a platform that maps cross-border labour supply chains using patented technology and screens operations and supply chains for forced labour indicators. CUMULUS is especially suited to sectors with migrant labour and high forced labour risk, such as palm oil.
The organisation has a wide portfolio of multinational corporate clients, with particular depth in the fast-moving consumer goods and food and beverage sectors, including in palm oil, cocoa, coffee, and other agricultural commodities. Verité has also been instrumental in developing the AFi’s guidance on human rights and is highly engaged in the work of the AFi Coalition.
Contact
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
Key services
- Development of responsible supply chain policies and commitments
- Identification of tools and resources to support policy implementation
- Support in taking landscape-level actions
- Support in communicating progress
Profile
As one of the world’s largest conservation organisations, WWF frequently works with companies across commodity supply chains to drive transformational change, including to combat and reverse nature loss and degradation. WWF draws on the Accountability Framework’s definitions and guidance in:
- Helping companies craft or update policies to address deforestation, conversion, and associated threats to human rights.
- Guiding companies toward appropriate tools for assessing their production or sourcing risk, communicating expectations to and engaging suppliers, monitoring and verifying progress, and reporting results.
- For companies with a forest footprint, the Forests Forward program supports improved forest management, transition to responsible sourcing, and execution of forest-based interventions.
- For companies sourcing soy, beef, or leather from South America, the DCF Toolkit tailors AFi guidance to support deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) supply chains in this context.
- Complementing actions to address supply chain risk with scaled nature-based solutions in key production landscapes to address systemic challenges and support protection, restoration, and improved management of priority landscapes around the globe.
- Identifying and executing strategic communications to share progress and advance the deforestation- and conversion-free agenda.
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Other consultancies
Anthesis Group
Anthesis Group
Key services
- Identification and evaluation of value chain risks related to conversion, deforestation, and human rights
- Development of responsible sourcing policies, deforestation-free commitments, and science-based targets for climate and nature
- Supply chain engagement and development of monitoring and verification systems
- Assessment and communication of progress towards deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains
Profile
Anthesis brings together 1,000+ experts operating in 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, to serve more than 2,000 clients. Anthesis exists to shape a more productive and resilient world and is committed to creating a future in which people and nature thrive. Anthesis is a B Corp and a member of Business for Nature, the Capitals Coalition, the Task Force for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum, and the Science-Based Targets Network Corporate Engagement Program.
Anthesis experts offer advice and technical support to companies on their journeys to create deforestation– and conversion-free value chains in alignment with the Accountability Framework. This includes:
- Identifying and evaluating value chain risks
- Developing responsible supply chain commitments and science-based targets for climate and nature
- Developing responsible sourcing policies and supporting supply chain engagement
- Benchmarking responsible sourcing policies and programs
- Developing Forest Positive strategies to support regeneration and restoration of forest ecosystems
- Developing monitoring and verification systems and supporting clients to communicate progress and performance
Contact
FAI
FAI
Key services
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Consultancy programmes for sustainable and regenerative animal-based supply chains for food and fibre, integrating social, animal welfare, and environmental objectives
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The delivery of deforestation risk assessments, including benchmarking against the Accountability Framework, rapid supply chain audits, and mapping
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The provision of advisory services for delivering remediation and mitigation actions in collaboration with suppliers and aligned with the Accountability Framework, to protect forests, natural ecosystems, and human rights
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The collection of data using supply chain assessments and surveys for storage and presentation within our bespoke online portal, allowing monitoring, benchmarking, analysis and reporting of outcome measures, and due diligence processes for farmed animal supply chains
Profile
FAI is a multi-disciplinary international team of farmers, scientists, and consultants, who partner with corporations to deliver positive change to animal-based production systems. To regeneratively nourish and clothe a growing population, FAI believes we need diverse production systems that deliver positive outcomes for people, animals, and the environment. Therefore, FAI approaches the problem of deforestation with a unique perspective, recognising that a sustainable future is dependent upon social justice, flourishing ecosystems, and high standards of animal welfare.
With offices and representatives in the UK, Brazil, Germany, and the USA, FAI works with producers, suppliers, and retailers to identify problems and design meaningful solutions to mitigate risks and realise long-term business benefits for its partners. It is ISO 27001 certified for information security.
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Nextra Consulting
Nextra Consulting
Key Services:
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Implementation of EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) using synergies with AFi’s approach
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Quick-check of deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) strategies, including status-quo assessment and roadmap development; comprehensive analyses to identify gaps and formulate tailored recommendations; development of strategies, targets and implementation plans with KPIs for progress tracking; development of commitments and policies for ethical supply chains or assessing the suitability of tools and standards for companies
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Facilitation of stakeholder dialogue and engagement, both internally (eg, involving purchasing or other departments) and externally (eg, communication and collaborating with supply chain partners as suppliers)
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Support of upstream activities (producers) to develop strategies and practices aligned with the Accountability Framework, including training of suppliers regarding requirements of the AFi (and if relevant, connected regulations as the EUDR)
About Nextra Consulting:
Nextra Consulting is an internationally operating sustainability consultancy based in Germany. With a belief that sustainability must be considered holistically for successful implementation, Nextra operates with an interdisciplinary team, providing tailored solutions for an international and diverse clientele. The clients range from producing industry, retailers and financial institutions to political institutions, research institutes, and non-profit organizations.
Nextra specializes in supporting clients in developing and realizing their sustainability goals as well as in meeting external regulations (eg, EUDR, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)) and requirements. Their services encompass various aspects such as gap analysis, strategy development, and the implementation of concrete measures. Within the context of deforestation and conversion, Nextra understands the hurdles of value chain actors and offers best practice approaches to overcome obstacles and enable sustainable development.
Contact:
South Pole
South Pole
Key services
- Assessment of potential exposure to risks associated with deforestation, conversion, and climate change. This includes quantifying emissions resulting from associated land use changes
- Support in developing commitments, policies, and strategies for eliminating deforestation and conversion from supply chains, and in mitigating associated risks. This includes harmonisation with existing climate ambitions
- Development of time-bound roadmaps, mechanisms, and tools for accelerated implementation of no-deforestation and no-Conversion commitments
- Development of approaches and tools for monitoring, verification, and reporting of company and supply chain performance against no-deforestation, no-conversion, and climate action commitments
Profile
Founded in 2006, South Pole is a leading climate consultancy with the mission to accelerate the transition to a climate-smart society. South Pole believes that a more prosperous future is within reach, but only if everyone plays their part today. South Pole’s 1400 employees develop, implement, and advise emission reduction strategies and projects that turn climate action into long-term business opportunities for companies, governments, and organizations around the world. South Pole knows that climate action is a team sport – which is why the organization goes beyond the boundaries of day-to-day business to partner with like-minded peers and organizations around the world to drive systemic change, together.
South Pole believes that eliminating deforestation and ecosystem conversion in the production and sourcing of forestry and agricultural commodities is critical for achieving climate goals. With the private sector at the forefront of this challenge, South Pole supports corporate and financial actors with effective and comprehensive approaches and tools to set and achieve no-deforestation and no-conversion pledges - in line with international best-practice.