Chapter 04 · People & supply chainsSupply Chain & Due Diligence

Accountability Framework initiative (AFi)

Meaning statusEstablishedSource recordDirect document linkedWhy these are different

Definition

A coalition of civil society organisations that develops and maintains the Accountability Framework: twelve Core Principles supported by Operational Guidance and common Definitions for ethical agricultural and forestry supply chains. The Framework was first released in June 2019; the initiative's secretariat is co-led by the Rainforest Alliance and the Meridian Institute.

References

Accountability Framework initiative"Home — The Accountability Framework"

Scope (deforestation, conversion, human rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and workers); usage by hundreds of companies and initiatives.

Accountability Framework initiative"Core Principles" (Framework v1.0, June 2019; minor revision May 2020)

Twelve Core Principles and their structure; remediation and access to remedy (CP9); monitoring, verification, reporting and claims (CP11–12).

Ecosystem Marketplace"The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) on three key actions for companies in 2025"

2025 target-date recommendation; 22-organisation coalition call to action; CDP alignment.

Overview

What it means

The Framework organises company action in three stages — set commitments (protect forests and other natural ecosystems; respect human rights including those of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and workers; specify commitments), take action (implementation systems, traceability, compliance management, responsible land practices, remediation, collaboration) and demonstrate progress (monitoring, verification, reporting and claims).

How it is used

Hundreds of companies, industry groups, NGOs and initiatives have used or applied the Framework. CDP disclosure indicators are aligned with it, and initiatives such as WWF-Australia have produced Framework-aligned guidance for deforestation-free assessment. The AFi recommended a 2025 target date for eliminating deforestation from agricultural and forestry supply chains.

Why it matters

Before the Framework, companies faced inconsistent expectations for no-deforestation and human-rights commitments. The AFi harmonised definitions and good practice across commodities, providing a common reference point for voluntary commitments that also interact with regulation such as the EU Deforestation Regulation.

Definitions and controversy

The AFi is a guidance coalition, not a certification scheme; it does not itself verify company performance.