Stakeholder engagement is a key element of NBPOL’s continuous efforts to improve the environmental and social performance of oil palm production in Papua New Guinea. Stakeholder engagement is recognised as an integral part of our sustainability strategy. Stakeholders are engaged at various platforms and help us gauge our performance in meeting expectations and provide feedback. Our key stakeholder groups have been identified through our activities in the palm oil sector and include shareholders, customers, employees, non-governmental organisations, industry groups, and government agencies. Our engagement approach varies from formal to informal, but all issues are given due consideration and evaluated on the impact they make on both NBPOL and the stakeholder. Much of our stakeholder engagement is wrapped around the NBPOL One Hour Partnership aiming to facilitate basic health, education and water services within a 1 hour walking distance for communities in our general area of operation. Key examples of our engagement efforts in 2018/2019:
- – Engagement with NGOs: NBPOL recognises the value of engaging with external parties through an open and transparent platform. Recent engagements include ongoing work with Earthworm Foundation focusing on the implementation of FPIC procedures in the Solomon Islands. Our engagement and financial contribution to YWAM, since 2017, has delivered vital medical services to thousands of people in rural areas of Papua New Guinea. NBPOL has also financed the construction of a health centre and medical staff accommodation for communities at Ranara in PNG’s Raicoast. We continue to engage with conservation organisations such as WWF and Conservation International to seek their input and feedback on our conservation efforts. In 2019 a WWF delegation has visited our operation in Ramu and a Conservation International delegation has visited West New Britain;
- – Industry platforms: NBPOL and its senior staff actively engage and contribute to numerous government, regulatory and industry organisations. Examples include:
- – NBPOL continues to hold the presidency of the Business council of PNG;
- – Deputy Chair PNG Rural Industries council;
- – Coordinating committee of the PNG Sustainable Palm Oil Platform;
- – Deputy Chair West New Britain Provincial Health Authority;
- – Project executive board of the PNG REDD+ programme;
- – Project executive board and technical advisory committee community based-forest and coastal conservation and resource management (CbFCCRM) project;
- – Council member of the PNG Institute of National Affairs (INA);
- – Managing agent for the PNG Oil Palm Research Association;
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- – Multi-stakeholder processes: NBPOL values multi-stakeholder processes such as the RSPO. In 2008 NBPOL’s WNB site became the first company in the world to certify both its plantations and associated smallholders. Currently NBPOL is actively engaged in various working groups of RSPO such as:
- – Independent Smallholder Working Group;
- – RSPO PC Review Task Force and Smallholder Interim Group;
- – RSPO Assurance Standing Committee;
- – RSPO Smallholder Standing Committee;
NBPOL also participates in various working groups of the HCS Framework. Enabling a more inclusive model for the certification of smallholders remains a priority for NBPOL. NBPOL has been engaged with the development of simplified HCV assessment methodologies for smallholders
- – Engagement with clients: NBPOL welcomes the possibility for engaging with various supply chain actors including our clients. In 2019 we have worked with Nestle Germany to improve access to drinking water for over 30 communities located on the Popondetta plains in Oro province.
- – Engagement with our employees: Our focus when it comes to employees is on aspects that require improvements, especially in case of vulnerable groups such as woman and children. In Milne Bay we have worked with the Rural Women in Action to improve livelihoods of rural women and we have also conducted leadership training.
Public stakeholder consultation documents:Posted 20 December 2016
Stakeholder consultation – Poliamba – 2016 v2 – English
Stakeholder consultation – Poliamba – 2016 v2 – Tok PisinPosted 29 April 2015
Stakeholder Consultation – Ramu – English 0415
Stakeholder Consultation – Ramu – Tok pisin 0415
Stakeholder Consultation – Higaturu Oil Palms – English 1012
Stakeholder Consultation – Higaturu Oil Palms – Pidgin 1012Posted 4 October 2012
Stakeholder Consultation – Higaturu Oil Palms – English 0912Posted 6 September 2012
Stakeholder Consultation – Milne Bay Estates – Tok pisin 0812
Stakeholder Consultation – Milne Bay Estates – English 0812Posted 17 August 2012
- – Multi-stakeholder processes: NBPOL values multi-stakeholder processes such as the RSPO. In 2008 NBPOL’s WNB site became the first company in the world to certify both its plantations and associated smallholders. Currently NBPOL is actively engaged in various working groups of RSPO such as: