Relational aspects and care-based support in Zero-Deforestation Commitments

A rising number of companies have made zero-deforestation commitments (ZDCs) to decouple deforestation from their supply chains, encapsulated in No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE) commitments. These interventions are designed by powerful downstream supply chain actors, typically without the involvement of the upstream-level non-industrial producers who are affected both directly and indirectly. This study draws on bottom-up perspectives from oil palm smallholders, cooperatives, and other local stakeholders in Indonesia to explore the state of company-community relationships and the implementation and expectations of corporate ZDCs. Through an analysis of 28 focus group discussions and 25 expert interviews in two provinces in Sumatra, Indonesia, our findings reveal significant gaps in procedural equity, highlighting inadequate mechanisms for voicing concerns, insufficient procedures for meaningful participation, and a lack of attention to expected implementation procedures. Most importantly, we uncover the critical need to recognise historical and ongoing relationships between communities and companies when designing corporate sustainability policies. Recognising equity as an evolving concept that ideally should be shaped by contextual realities, our study advocates for the integration of relational aspects and care-based support into ZDCs, complementing the current understanding of equity.Author summary: We explore how Zero Deforestation Commitments (ZDCs) are perceived and implemented at the local level in Indonesia, focusing on the interactions between communities and corporations. Through 28 focus groups and 25 expert interviews, we uncover shortfalls in procedural equity related to ZDCs, including poor community feedback mechanisms, limited meaningful participation, and insensitivity towards the local communities’ expectations of ZDCs. This study emphasizes the necessity to view equity not just as a policy checklist but as a dynamic, evolving concept deeply influenced by local contexts and historical relationships. By advocating for the integration of relational and care-based perspectives into ZDCs, we enrich the current understanding of equity, urging sustainability actors to foster deeper, more meaningful engagements in the landscapes where they operate.