Sustainable Palm Oil
We work to meet rising global demand for palm oil sustainably.
As the most widely used vegetable oil in the world, with by far the highest oil yield per hectare, palm oil is likely to remain a crucial part of food production in the future. As such, the challenge to produce it fairly and sustainably is the object of a significant amount of effort.
Committed to Sustainable Palm Oil
As non-producers, we have developed a detailed monitoring and grievance system in our palm oil operations, as we strive to meet global demand and to:
- Preserve forests, recognizing their vital role in our ecosystem;
- Preserve and encourage biodiversity;
- Help local communities to develop and achieve higher incomes;
- Prevent displacement of communities living in forested areas.
We have several workstreams in place to achieve this, focusing on how and where the palm we buy is produced, and on developing traceability along our palm value chain. We report regularly on our progress. Discover our most recent Palm Strategy and Traceability Progress Report, which is regularly updated.
By the end of 2019, we achieved 100% traceability to mill level for palm processed at LDC refineries, and were close to achieving 100% mill-level traceability for all palm oil supplied to us. LDC is also working on plantation-level traceability for mills supplying our refineries, as detailed in our progress report.
As part of delivering on our commitment to source and process sustainable palm oil, we work extensively with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), both of which have certified our palm-related entities and facilities.
For more information regarding traceability, mill lists and grievances, download our latest progress reports:
Palm Strategy and Traceability Progress Report
Palm Sustainability Policy
Building on the commitments set out in the RSPO 2013 Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Palm Oil Production, we have expanded our own policies further, particularly in relation to environmental objectives.
Our Palm Sustainability Policy affirms LDC’s commitment to:
- Safeguard all high conservation value (HCV) lands and/or high carbon stock (HCS) areas;
- Leave all peat untouched, regardless of depth;
- Uphold the rights of local communities and/or indigenous people;
- Comply with International Labour Organization conventions on forced labor and discrimination;
- Abide by rigorous anti-bribery and corruption standards.