IDH and Unilever Continue Collaboration

Attainment of key indicators to support sustainable sourcing in Aceh Timur, including a targeted 30% reduction in deforestation rate from the baseline by project completion, protection of High Conservation Value (HCV)/High Carbon Stock (HCS) areas within 74,000 hectares of priority areas with high deforestation risk, and establishment of Aceh Timur as a verified sourcing area on SourceUp. An updated HCV/HCS assessment will be performed to include a customary area mapping and customary right assessment to support the landscape protection plan. The project will also develop a landscape and jusrisdictional-level traceability and forest and land use monitoring system that consolidate the grievance response mechanism at the landscape level.

Additionally, on forest restoration, the project aims to restore 1,000 hectares of forest through the enrichment of community-based native tree species , natural regeneration, and agroforestry model using at least 100,000 seedlings that will be prepared in the community forest nursery. Engagement with four oil palm estates at high deforestation risk is also planned, with two estates and two palm oil mills expected to commit to and implement NDPE policies and a new business model for sustainable palm oil production aimed at protecting at least 1,000 hectares of HCV/HCS areas.

The continued collaboration between IDH and Unilever in the Eastern Leuser region with the support from implementing partners, demonstrates a concerted effort to combat deforestation and promote sustainable palm oil production. Through multi-stakeholder partnerships and targeted interventions, the project aims to safeguard the integrity of the Leuser ecosystem while supporting sustainable development in Aceh Timur.