Cargill Issues 2017 Update on Sustainable Palm Oil Progress

New report outlines progress in 2016 and action plans to reach 2020 goals
Apr 3, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Cargill | Our Stories

Cargill is committed to building a 100-percent transparent, traceable and sustainable palm oil supply chain by 2020. In a new annual progress report, the company highlights progress against its commitment in 2016 and outlines a 2020 roadmap for sustainability.

“Our long-term success is based on taking responsible actions today that benefit our employees, the environment and the communities where we operate,” said Alan Willits, Cargill Chairman for Asia Pacific.

In 2016, Cargill made progress in the following areas:

  • Traceability. After achieving 100 percent traceability to mill for key destination markets, the company is advancing traceability to the plantation level to increase supply chain transparency.
  • Supplier engagement. Through supplier assessments and workshops, Cargill is customizing its approach to engaging the mills that supply palm oil.
  • Smallholder programs. Cargill is implementing smallholder education programs and guidelines with key partners to sustainably manage peatland and encourage responsible replanting practices.
  • Partnership and collaboration. The company is strengthening existing partnerships with NGOs, including TFT and Proforest, and expanding into new collaborations with Global Forest Watch and the Sustainable Landscapes Working Group.

With a new 2020 roadmap, Cargill will continue to drive progress in these areas and push to increase sustainability across the palm sector.

“Cargill has now taken the important step of defining performance indicators and roadmaps that detail how their palm oil sustainability commitments will be implemented through 2020,” said Neil Judd, director of Proforest. “This is a significant development to provide a clear and credible basis for actions over that period, and to increase accountability and transparency.”

Learn more at Cargill.com/palmoil.