Singapore-headquartered International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) and the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of consolidating, developing and detailing the cooperation between the two organisations. It will also contribute to the effectiveness to achieve the organisations’ common objectives in the field of sustainable production and consumption of natural rubber.
The MoU signing took place in Singapore, and was signed by Salvatore Pinizzotto, IRSG Secretary General and Stefano Savi, GPSNR Director.
The cooperation will have a focus on Sustainability in the Natural Rubber Value Chain, particularly in relation to socio-economic and environmental aspects linked to the natural rubber sustainable production and consumption. Immediate opportunities for collaboration have been identified in the following areas:
a. Definition of Natural Rubber Sustainability and identification of appropriate standards, building on the activity carried out from IRSG in the SNR-i project.
b. Natural Rubber Sustainability and socio-economic impacts on smallholders in producing countries.
c. Land tenure right and sustainable income of smallholders in producing countries.
d. Impact of climate change in rubber plantations and mitigation of risks.
IRSG was established in 1944 and is the only intergovernmental organisation that brings the world’s rubber producing and consuming stakeholders together. It is the forum for the discussion of matters affecting the supply and demand for natural as well as synthetic rubber and is at the forefront in conducting activities and research on the sustainability of the natural rubber economy. IRSG has 36 member governments and more than 100 industry members covering the whole natural rubber value chain.
GPSNR is an international, multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership organisation, with a mission to lead improvements in the socioeconomic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain.
Development of the GPSNR was initiated by the CEOs of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) in November 2017. Currently, it has 51 members including producers, processors & traders, tyre makers and other rubber makers/buyers, car makers, other downstream users and financial institutions. Representatives from each of these stakeholder groups have contributed to the development of the Singapore-based platform and the wide-reaching set of priorities that will define GPSNR strategy and objectives.