To help companies understand best practices on addressing risks around deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights in their supply chains, a group of global environmental and human rights organizations has developed consensus-based guidance for companies, and has made it available through a free online training platform. 

The newly-released Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) e-learning platform teaches corporate professionals how to achieve responsible supply chains using the Accountability Framework. It offers a self-led learning experience following the Framework’s seven action areas that companies can use to deepen and broaden the skills of their staff. By increasing their internal capacity, companies can improve the quality of their commitments, develop effective internal systems to implement them, and align their data collection with the disclosure requirements of reporting standards.

On the platform, learners can curate a library of training modules based on their needs and interests. All modules draw from the Accountability Framework, a practical roadmap for addressing deforestation, conversion, and human rights in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Hundreds of companies are already using the Accountability Framework to help set and achieve responsible supply chain goals. Thousands more use industry guidelines, tools, and standards that have aligned with its guidance. 

Each module features lessons on key topics pertaining to the subject area, as well as knowledge checks and reflection questions to support learning. When finishing a module, learners are able to download a certificate of completion to share in their networks. With specific guidance on what actions to take next, and access to resources to support implementation, learning does not end when a module is completed.

Currently, five modules are available, and more are in development. Those will include modules on topics such as collaboration, monitoring and verification, and reporting progress.