Summary
In the Indonesian district of Aceh Tamiang, growers, buyers and end consumers of palm oil have united
behind the local government to help make the entire jurisdiction a sustainable source of commodities
and protect the Leuser Ecosystem, a 2.6-million-hectare area of tropical forest spanning multiple districts.
This jurisdictional approach to sustainability in Aceh Tamiang is possible due to leadership from the
district government, supported by civil society organizations, companies, local communities and other
stakeholders. Such government commitment is vital: it is the government that will need to define policies
and pass regulations to tackle systemic issues that affect companies’ ability to meet their sustainability
pledges. This case study documents the progress of this initiative.