The ALS adds credibility to users of the HCV Approach. It helps improve the quality of HCV and HCV-HCSA assessments and reports. Poor-quality assessments may lead to destruction of High Conservation Values, negatively impacting local communities and the reputation of sustainability standards, the HCV Network, and of the HCV Approach itself.
The ALS helps improve assessments by providing standardized manuals, templates, and procedures, in consultation with assessors and end users. And it helps improve the quality of assessment reports by verifying that they contain good quality data, analysis, maps, and management and monitoring recommendations. These are useful for companies and local communities involved in commodity production developments.
By providing feedback to reports, learning opportunities and discussion groups, the scheme also provides assessors and others with the chance to boost their knowledge, share experiences and gradually improve their work.