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Palm oil industry not yet prepared for new EU regulations
Latest SPOTT research highlights urgent need for stronger traceability in palm oil production, despite industry’s commitment to zero deforestation. Data summary Published on 14 November 2023 by ZSL, the latest SPOTT assessment of 100 of the world’s leading palm…
Natural Rubber Company Selection Update
SPOTT assesses the most impactful producers, processors, and manufacturers in the natural rubber sector on their public disclosure regarding the organisation, policies and practices related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Assessed companies are reviewed on an annual basis…
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Building biodiversity into business best practice: a roadmap for action
On the eve of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) – the most important environmental policy event of the year – the state of the world’s biodiversity is under intense scrutiny, with the UN warning we…
ZSL report finds palm oil companies lacking clear sustainability targets
Zero-deforestation commitments within the palm oil industry risk being undermined by a lack of monitoring within production landscapes – meaning the deforestation of tropical forests home to Critically Endangered wildlife such as Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and orangutans (Pongo abelii)…
Rubber – does ‘natural’ mean sustainable?
Rubber products are present in our daily lives, often without us even noticing. From mattresses to toothbrushes, the shoes we wear on our feet, to the tyres on cars, buses and bikes, lining conveyer belts, asphalt and yoga mats, in balloons, condoms,…
Not seeing the emissions for the trees – why responsible finance must focus on forests
Against a backdrop of increasing fossil fuel divestment and the rapid growth of the renewable energy and green transport sectors, the topic of climate change currently takes centre stage. The financial sector’s growing interest in climate change and emission reduction…
Strengthening sustainability certification
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can play a vital role in ensuring that sustainability standards are informed by best practice and continual improvement. NGOs also play a key role in their development and implementation, contributing specialist sector knowledge, bringing perspectives on multi-stakeholder…
Terra incognita: missing maps in the tropical forestry sector hamper efforts to combat forest loss
Efforts to monitor and manage the impacts of the tropical forestry sector are being hindered, due to many companies failing to accurately disclose where they operate – leaving biodiverse forests at risk of unsustainable exploitation. This is just…
Finance sector role flagged in French strategy to fight imported deforestation
Earlier this month, the French government released a draft of its National Strategy to Fight Imported Deforestation (stratégie nationale de lutte contre la déforestation importée: SNDI) for public consultation. Importantly, the high-level document recognises that the financial sector can contribute…
Save the date: 13 September 2018. PRI in Person side event on the role of engagement in improving practice in the palm oil sector
PRI In Person 2018 official side event, organised by Robeco & Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Hotel Marriott Marquis, San Francisco, CA, USA. 13 September 2018 7.45am-8.45am Eight years after the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) sustainable palm oil…
The use of the HCV and HCS approaches by palm oil companies assessed on SPOTT
SPOTT assessments score 50 of the largest palm oil producers and traders on the public disclosure of policies, operations and commitments related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. The High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon…
NDPE policies in the palm oil sector
With 2020 fast approaching, time is running out for palm oil supply chain stakeholders – who have made No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) commitments – to implement their policies. SPOTT assessments can help gauge which companies publicly respond…