Sustainability

Sunny Verghese, co-founder/CEO of Olam International.

Olam International CEO to chair WBCSD

By Jenny Eagle

Sunny Verghese, co-founder/CEO of Olam International, a leading supplier of cocoa beans, has become chair of The World Business Commission for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) this week, replacing Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever.

RSPO aims to empower smallholders as part of RT15

RSPO focuses on smallholders in support of sustainable palm oil

By Katy Askew

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and United Nations Environment Project have joined forces to help promote sustainable practices among smallholders producing palm oil as the environmental group sharpens its focus on smallholder farmers.

© iStock/slpu9945

Industry reacts to RSPO's Impact Report

By David Burrows

FoodNavigator approached industry and campaigners for their reflections on the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)'s 2016 Impact Report. What are the challenges and opportunities in the next 12 months?

Ethical labelling is under scrutiny like never before in the wake of documented abuses. But its promise remains strong. ©iStock/Antonio_Diaz

Ethical certification promises much - but it's been a tough year

By David Burrows

Back in 2014 I interviewed Hans Jöhr, who at the time was corporate head of agriculture at Nestlé. We had a (refreshingly) open discussion about certification schemes. Some of them are “cheating consumers” and “cannot help farmers be better farmers per...

 © iStock/Mihtiander

What does Greenpeace's palm oil report mean for IOI & RSPO?

By Niamh Michail

Greenpeace's damning report on Malaysian palm oil supplier IOI, just one month after its membership of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was renewed, could be damaging for the certifier, according to one sustainability consultant.

IOI has announced it will not only drop the court case against RSPO but has pledged to sign up to RSPO Next, the certification body's strictest policy. © iStock

IOI drops legal action against RSPO

By David Burrows

Palm oil supplier IOI Corporation Berhad has ditched plans to sue the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), saying it has “engaged” with customers, NGOs and the RSPO to resolve the matter.

© iStock

GreenPalm palm oil goes greener – or does it?

By Niamh Michail

GreenPalm sustainable palm oil certificates will now offer buyers traceability back to the mill, meaning it is now the only fully inclusive supply chain open to all growers, says the trading platform. But campaigners are still calling it a "false...

UK government calls for more local labelling

UK government calls for more local labelling

By Niamh Michail

The UK government is calling on manufacturers to use local county of origin labelling on its products – but unlike in Italy such measures would be voluntary.

Over 80% of food companies said they were exposed to water risks which could have a substantive impact on business operations, according to a 2014 CDP survey.

Food industry unprepared for water shortages

By Niamh Michail

The food industry – the most water-intensive business on earth - is unprepared for global water shortages, according to a report which ranks the best and worst offending companies for their water management.

European RSPO on palm oil took place in London on June 4

European RSPO 2014

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil in pictures and quotes

By Nicholas Robinson

A heated panel debate over the reality of a consumer industry based on 100% sustainable palm oil broke out at the European Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil held in London last week.