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Global timber markets and critical forests threatened by traceability gaps
The majority of the world’s leading tropical forestry companies are failing to disclose where their wood and pulp come from – according to the latest SPOTT assessment from international conservation charity ZSL – with the lack of transparency putting markets…
The Importance of Transparency in Sustainability: A Shared Commitment by Earthtrust and SPOTT
SPOTT and Earthtrust share a vision: transparency backed by evidence drives trust and accountability In an era of growing consumer awareness and demand for sustainability, transparency has become the cornerstone of trust in responsible practices. Here, we understand transparency…
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Unsustainable natural rubber poses major threat to wildlife and people
Used in everyday products, such as tyres, yoga mats, shoes and condoms – global natural rubber production is lacking the transparency and subsequent sustainability commitments to protect both people and wildlife. That is the finding of the world’s…
ZSL report finds majority of companies don’t know origin of their palm oil
International conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) today calls on global businesses to step up scrutiny on palm oil, as a new analysis by the charity reveals that the majority of the world’s most significant palm oil…
Improving tracking of transparency and progress: updates to SPOTT assessments
As we approach 2020 and the deadline for several corporate commitments nears – including collective commitments by the Consumer Goods Forum and New York Declaration on Forests endorsers – there is an urgent need to…
Tropical forestry sector failing to assess impacts of climate crisis
Only 6% of the world’s most significant timber and pulp producers and traders with operations in the tropics are taking steps to assess the impacts of climate change – posing a risk to the forestry industry and all…
The need for spatial data transparency in the tropical forestry sector
The world’s remaining forests are being degraded and lost at a dramatic pace: it is estimated that each second, more than one hectare of tropical forest, an area slightly larger than a standard football pitch, is affected…
15 natural rubber producers selected for inaugural SPOTT assessments
The rapid expansion of rubber monocultures in recent decades has resulted in similar environmental and social impacts – such as deforestation and land grabbing – to those caused by other plantation-based commodities, but has received far less attention than other…
Forestry Transparency Forums tackle illegal tropical timber production and trade
Illegal logging is a major driver of tropical forest degradation, leading to biodiversity loss. Strengthening the legality of tropical timber production and trade is key to increasing the sustainability of timber production. The European Union’s FLEGT – Forest Law Enforcement,…
SPOTT to assess 100 palm oil companies in 2019
Increasing demand for palm oil and expansion of the sector in frontier areas, including in Central and South America, Central and West Africa, and Papua New Guinea, is continuing to fuel deforestation in some of the most biodiverse regions on…
Committed to sustainable palm oil?
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) unites thousands of stakeholders from across the palm oil industry to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. Ordinary and Affiliate members are required to submit an Annual Communication of…
ZSL strengthens its commitment to supporting sustainable palm oil
Palm oil is an ingredient found in many food and non-food products. It’s versatility and efficiency over other vegetable oils has helped fuel demand for palm oil, with global demand expected to double by 2050. The rapid growth of the…