Members have aligned on a wide-reaching set of priorities for the natural rubber supply chain. They also plan to harmonise standards to improve respect for human rights, prevent land-grabbing and deforestation, protect biodiversity, and increase supply chain transparency and traceability.
The tyre industry consumes around 70 percent of natural rubber in the world and demand for natural rubber keeps growing. In this context, the CEOs of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development who participate in the Tire Industry Project (TIP) want to ensure the sustainable production and supply of natural rubber. This includes looking after the people, communities and natural resources affected by natural rubber production and supply.
To do so, the TIP members initiated the development of the GPSNR in October 2018, bringing tyre manufacturers, other rubber users, suppliers and processors, vehicle makers and NGOs on board.
The founding members have agreed on 12 principles to drive improvements in the socio-economic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Participating companies need to promote and integrate these principles into their value chain for natural rubber and products containing natural rubber.
The principles include:
- avoiding ecosystem conversion, deforestation and forest degradation;
- establishing protocols for rubber traceability;
- managing water along the value chain appropriately;
- complying with applicable labour laws for employees and contractors;
- recognising and promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and, more globally, human rights within the natural rubber value chain.
The first general assembly of the GPSNR took place on 21 March in Singapore, where the GPSNR secretariat is now located.
The founding members invite other members of the natural rubber value chain, academia, and civil society to join and build the GPSNR.
Please check the World Business Council for Sustainable Development website for more information on the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber.