Forests and other natural ecosystems – such as natural savannahs, grasslands, peatlands, and wetlands – are critical for carbon storage, biodiversity protection, water supply, mitigation of natural hazards, adaptation to climate change, and sustaining the well-being of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Core Principle 1 addresses the protection of these natural ecosystems in the context of agricultural and forestry supply chains. Companies may align with this Core Principle by either: i) specifying a commitment to no-deforestation (Core Principle 1.1) along with a commitment to protect other natural ecosystems; or ii) adopting a comprehensive commitment to no-conversion of all natural ecosystems (Core Principle 1.2).
Core Principle 1.1 No-deforestation supply chains and protection of forests
The company commits to eliminating deforestation from its operations, supply chains, and financial investments.
Core Principles 1.1.1 to 1.1.3
No-deforestation (deforestation-free) signifies that natural forests are not converted to agriculture, tree plantations, livestock production, or other land uses, and that natural forests are not subject to severe or sustained degradation. As part of its no-deforestation approach:
1.1.1 The company commits to taking appropriate measures to foster long-term protection of natural forests in and around its operations and supply base, including through responsible supply chain management (Core Principle 6), site establishment (Core Principle 7), land management (Core Principle 8), and action in supply chain origins (Core Principle 10).
1.1.2 The company commits to conduct or support restoration and/or compensation to remedy deforestation and any associated human rights abuses in its operations or supply chains in violation of its commitments or other obligations (Core Principle 9).
1.1.3 To facilitate monitoring and provide clear signals to suppliers, each commitment specifies a cutoff date, after which production units associated with deforestation are deemed non-compliant. Selection of cutoff dates follows Section 2 of the Operational Guidance on Cutoff Dates.
Core Principle 1.2 No-conversion supply chains and protection of all natural ecosystems
The company commits to eliminating the conversion of all natural ecosystems from its operations, supply chains, and financial investments.
Core Principles 1.2.1 to 1.2.3
No-conversion (conversion-free) signifies that natural ecosystems are not converted to agriculture, tree plantations, intensive livestock production, or other land uses, and that natural ecosystems are not subject to severe or sustained degradation. As part of its no-conversion approach:
1.2.1 The company commits to taking appropriate measures to foster long-term protection of natural ecosystems in and around its operations and supply base, including through responsible supply chain management (Core Principle 6), site establishment (Core Principle 7), land management (Core Principle 8), and action in supply chain origins (Core Principle 10).
1.2.2 The company commits to conduct or support restoration and/or compensation to remedy natural ecosystem conversion and any associated human rights abuses in its operations or supply chains in violation of its commitments or other obligations (Core Principle 9).
1.2.3 To facilitate monitoring and provide clear signals to suppliers, each commitment specifies a cutoff date, after which any production units associated with conversion are deemed non-compliant. Selection of cutoff dates follows Section 2 of the Operational Guidance on Cutoff Dates.
Additional detail related to Core Principle 1 is available in the following Operational Guidance: