ABSTRACT
The desire to advance the HSC forest concept has pulled people together to discuss and agree on which strata should be protected and which can be cleared, recognising, however, that ongoing research could lead to changes. A truly multi-stakeholder, open source process is now underway to define and implement the HCS concept in a diversity of contexts. The concept gets more complex as it is challenged to deal with more wicked problems. Innovation can also be seen in new technical approaches that are emerging from company commitments not to buy deforestation, exploitation and child labour, and to help local communities become resilient in the face of growing challenges, to have self-determination. Growers, traders, refiners, buyers, NGOs and experts are working together way beyond just setting a standard. Share the standards internally and externally, reflect on the feedback, revise, consult again, until you are ready to finalise them into your policy statement.
