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Our Approach

Sustainable Development Goals

Global Challenges

Driven by our purpose to create fair and sustainable value, for the benefit of current and future generations, LDC is proud to contribute to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a better world.

Our Sustainable Goals

Global Effort

As a responsible global citizen, LDC supports all the SDGs, which the UN describes as ‘the world’s shared plan to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality and protect the planet’.

As a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, working for over 170 years to feed and clothe the world’s growing population sustainably, we are in a prime position to contribute to many of these goals, as outlined below, and are strong advocates for all the goals without exception.

This includes goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions. Throughout our long history, we have observed that these are prerequisites for sustainable development, and therefore believe that violence and war should never be a solution.

We also know that the social and environmental changes required to meet the SDGs cannot be achieved by any one business or stakeholder acting alone.

Zero hunger, quality education, responsible consumption and production, climate action and eradication of modern slavery – these are transformational goals and require transformational change, brought about by a concerted effort.

Government, business, society and each of us as individuals – all have both a stake, and an impact, in this global effort.

Our Contribution

No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

As a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, we support the communities we touch in over 100 countries, both as an employer and as a trusted, long-term partner to local suppliers and other value chain stakeholders. We also train thousands of smallholder farmers, helping to improve their incomes, provide access to markets and introduce more sustainable farming practices.

Zero Hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Producing food responsibly for the long-term is a global challenge. It is also at the heart of what we do as a company. As we contribute to the global effort of providing sustenance for a growing population, we strive to reduce food chain imbalances and inefficiencies, while observing the highest standards of integrity, safety and quality, and supporting the livelihoods of producers.

Good Health & Well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Our top priority is to keep our people safe and healthy, protect the communities around our assets, and minimize our impact on the environment. We have dedicated occupational health and safety teams that play a crucial role in identifying and eliminating hazards, minimizing risks and ensuring the overall health, safety and well-being of everyone working for and with us, acting through multiple global initiatives and programs.

Quality Education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Through our educational programs for the producers we work with, we invest in their future by helping them to achieve sustainable productivity and profitability, aiming to secure livelihoods and agricultural supply. We also support various initiatives aiming to improve the quality of education for children in communities where we operate.

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

At LDC, we are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment, free from discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimization. Enshrined in our Group Code of Conduct and Human & Labor Rights Policy, this commitment extends to diversity in all its forms. As a leading global merchant and processor of a wide range of commodities, LDC acknowledges and celebrates the vital role that rural women play in agricultural production, actively working to empower women farmers around the world, especially in vulnerable smallholder farming communities.

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

At LDC, we are committed to addressing water scarcity and access – in our own operations and across our value chains. To this end, we work actively to promote responsible water use, optimizing operational water usage, protecting water resources and avoiding watershed contamination.

Affordable & Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

We are committed to a 5% reduction in each of four environmental performance indicators, including energy consumption, by 2022. We also support local clean energy initiatives across the globe, such as a project with the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to bring biogas systems to vulnerable farming communities in Kenya and Rwanda.

Decent Work & Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

We contribute to economic empowerment by creating jobs and partnering with local suppliers in over 100 countries worldwide. And as part of our commitment to safe and fair labor practices across our activities, we work toward our goals of a zero-accident environment, supply chains that are free from forced and child labor, and an inclusive workplace that respects diversity in all its forms.

Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

We complete environmental and social impact assessments before building or expanding any of our assets. We also explore new technologies to make our existing activities increasingly efficient, and empower our people to innovate across processes and products. Our dedicated food innovation team is an example of our commitment to finding new ways to feed a growing population sustainably.

Responsible Consumption & Production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Our sustainability policies and procedures help ensure that we monitor and maintain sustainable practices across all our activities. Traceability is key to responsible consumption, and we are working toward full product supply chain transparency from farmer to consumer, using certification, blockchain technology and DNA tagging.

Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

To help combat climate change we have set global, time-bound targets to reduce our environmental impact in four key areas: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy consumption, water use and solid waste generation. We also leverage our leading position as a major industry player to influence our supply chains toward more sustainable practices, and work with farmers around the world to help them adapt to a changing climate.

Life on Land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Protecting natural ecosystems and minimizing our environmental impact is a priority in our daily operations and as we grow our business. Our global No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) pledge commits us to the conservation of forests and other high conservation value habitats.