Engaging the Private Sector for Sustainable Rubber Investments: Case Studies in Cambodia and Laos

This study examines the approaches followed by Oxfam in Laos and Cambodia to engage Chinese and Vietnamese rubber companies in reforming their operational practices towards greater environmental sustainability and social accountability. Beginning in the 2000s, a boom in rubber planting across the Mekong region drove extensive forest loss and land conflicts. In response, several private sector initiatives have aimed at self-regulation through the definition and application of voluntary guidelines. Nevertheless, private sector actors often lack the capacity to adequately apply these guidelines in their everyday operations. Engagement with civil society organisations is increasingly recognised as essential for making global processes of commodity production more sustainable. This study reviews the motives of different actors for engaging in the collaboration between Oxfam and the rubber companies, the activities implemented, the outcomes and the broader implications. It highlights the significance of collaborating with upstream companies within the supply chain, navigating the interests and receptiveness of corporations, the complex positionality of civil society and the potential benefits for local communities. This study offer valuable insights for civil society organisations interested in fostering private sector engagement.

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