Golden Veroleum (Liberia) Inc (GVL)

1. Sustainable palm oil policy or commitment for all its operations?

The company has a palm oil policy that encompasses all of its palm oil operations and commits to following the sustainability policy of Golden Agri Resources.

2. Sustainable palm oil policy or commitment applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

The company reports that it has a Vice President for sustainability. However, the data is between two and five years old.

4. One or more members within the board of the company have responsibility for sustainability?

5. Reports gender balance of senior management team?

6. Reports gender balance of board members?

7. Member of multiple industry schemes or other external initiatives to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with palm oil production?

[Externally verified] The company is a member of the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) only.

8. Collaboration with stakeholders to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with palm oil production?

The company reports working with NGOs and CSOs to implement its action plan, which includes taking measures to improve the sustainability of its palm oil operations. However, only limited details are provided and the data is over five years old.

9. Sustainability report published within last two years?

10. Reports through standardised reporting systems?

11. Verification report on compliance with POIG Charter, if a POIG member?

This indicator is disabled as the company is not a POIG member.

12. Climate risks assessment available?

13. Lists countries and operations?

Plantations (Liberia), mill (Liberia).

14. Lists countries sourcing from?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

15. Total land area managed/controlled for oil palm (ha)?

40670 - The company reports the total land area managed for oil palm in its RSPO ACOP 2023.

16. Total oil palm planted area (ha)?

19036.9 - The company reports the total oil palm planted area in its RSPO ACOP 2023. However, this figure also includes the infrastructure area.

17. Scheme smallholders planted area (ha)?

This indicator is disabled as the company is only a processor or trader.

18. Unplanted (areas designated for future planting) (ha)?

10151 - The company reports its total unplanted area in its RSPO ACOP 2023.

19. Conservation set-aside area, including HCV area (ha)?

11482 - The company reports land designated and managed as HCV areas, in its RSPO ACOP 2023.

20. Maps of estates/management units?

The company reports that it has submitted all concession maps to RSPO and that no new concessions have been added and that no changes in ownership of concessions have occurred since the submission of maps to RSPO. The company also reports the locations of all its concessions on its website, however, these are not geo-referenced, do not show estate boundaries, and are undated.

21. Maps of all scheme smallholders?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from scheme/plasma smallholders.

22. Maps of all third-party supplying plantations?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

23. Number of company-owned mills?

1 - The company reports the number of mills in its RSPO ACOP 2023.

24. Names and locations of company-owned mills?

The company reports the name of its mill (Tarjuwon Mill) and only provides a static image map without coordinates.

25. Number (or percentage) of company-owned mills that source from company-owned operations and third parties?

The company reports having no suppliers (smallholders, outgrowers, third-parties). The company's own mill exclusively obtains palm oil from its own operations.

26. Reports total volumes (or percentages) sourced by company-owned mills that come from company-owned operations and third-parties?

The company reports having no suppliers (including smallholders, outgrowers, or third parties). The company's own mill exclusively relies on its own operations for sourcing.

27. Number of third party supplying mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

28. Names and locations of all third-party supplying mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

29. Number (or percentage) of third party supplying mills that source from their own plantations and third party plantations?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

30. Reports total volume (or percentages) sourced from third-party supplying mills that come from the supplying mills' own operations and third parties?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

31. Total volume (or percentage) sourced for refineries that comes from intermediary traders and/or refiners rather than directly from mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not own refineries.

32. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to mill level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

33. Percentage of supply traceable to mill level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

34. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to plantation level?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

35. Percentage of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) supply to own mills traceable to plantation level?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

36. Percentage of supply from third-party mills traceable to plantation level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

37. Publishes traceability data at refinery level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not own refineries.

38. Publishes traceability data at crusher level?

39. Member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)?

[Externally verified] 2011 - The company has been an RSPO member since 2011.

40. RSPO-certified within three years of joining the RSPO or by November 2010, for companies joining prior to finalisation of the RSPO certification systems in November 2007?

2026 - The company aims to achieve RSPO certification by 2026.

41. Submitted most recent RSPO Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP)?

The company has submitted its latest RSPO ACOP for 2023.

42. Percentage of area (ha) RSPO-certified?

0% - The company states that none of its areas are RSPO-certified.

43. Percentage of mills RSPO-certified?

0% - The company reports that none of its mills are RSPO-certified.

44. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of estates and mills within 5 years?

2026 - The company commits to achieving 100% RSPO certification of estates and mills by 2026. This is within 5 years.

45. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of all palm product processing facilities within 5 years?

46. Percentage of scheme smallholders (ha) RSPO-certified?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from scheme/plasma smallholders.

47. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of scheme/associated smallholders and outgrowers within 5 years or target already achieved?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

48. Percentage of FFB supply (tonnes) from independent smallholders/outgrowers/third-party FFB suppliers that is RSPO-certified?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

49. Percentage of all palm oil and oil palm products handled/traded/processed (tonnes) that is RSPO-certified?

50. Sells RSPO-certified palm oil through Segregated or Identity Preserved supply chains?

The company reports that it sells 0% RSPO-certified palm oil through segregated or identity-preserved supply chains.

51. Processes/trades RSPO-certified palm oil through Segregated or Identity Preserved supply chains?

This indicator is disabled as the company only reports a Grower ACOP.

52. Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certified (100%)?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate in Indonesia.

53. Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certified?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate in Malaysia.

54. Certified under voluntary sustainability certification scheme (e.g. ISCC, SAS, RSB)?

55. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems?

56. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

57. Commitment to zero deforestation?

The company commits to adhere to GAR's sustainability policy but only mentions avoiding development on high carbon stock (HCS) areas and peat, there is no explicit mention of high conservation value (HCV) areas.

58. Commitment to zero deforestation applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

59. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

The company only specifies that the HCS forest is not to be deforested, however, no cut-off date is provided.

60. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

61. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

62. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

63. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in own operations since cut-off date?

64. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in supplier operations since cut-off date?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

65. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in own operations since cut-off date?

66. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in supplier operations since cut-off date?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

67. Implementing a landscape or jurisdictional level approach?

68. Biodiversity policy?

The company commits to following GAR's social and environmental policy, which includes a biodiversity commitment. However, the scope and target of this commitment are not specified.

69. Biodiversity policy applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

70. Identified species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?

[Externally verified] The company has identified several threatened species, referencing the IUCN international system of species classification. This information is externally verified by Green Consulting Liberia.

71. Examples of species and/or habitat conservation management?

72. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species?

The company commits to no hunting of endangered, rare, and threatened species as defined by Liberian law. However, it does not commit to no hunting of all species.

73. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

74. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments?

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also commits to this in its own reporting.

75. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

76. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments for planting undertaken prior to January 2015, and associated management and monitoring plans?

[Externally verified] The company reports HCV assessments conducted before January 2015 but only one of these assessments includes a comprehensive management and monitoring plan. The information is externally verified by Green Consultancy Liberia.

77. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments for all estates planted/planned planting since January 2015?

[Externally verified] The company publishes an HCV assessment for one estate planted since January 2015. However, this assessment does not include all estates planted or planned for planting since January 2015. The information is externally verified by Green Consultancy Liberia.

78. High Conservation Value (HCV) or combined HCV/HCS management and monitoring plans for all estates planted/planned planting since January 2015?

[Externally verified] The company reports an HCV management and monitoring plan for one estate planted since January 2015. However, this does not include management and monitoring plan for all estates planted or planned for planting since January 2015. The information is externally verified by Green Consultancy Liberia.

79. Commitment to only use licensed High Conservation Value (HCV) assessors accredited by the HCV Resource Network's Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS)?

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower.

80. Commitment to only use licensed High Conservation Value (HCV) assessors accredited by the HCV Resource Network's Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS) applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

81. Satisfactory review of all High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments undertaken since January 2015 by the HCV ALS Quality Panel?

[Externally verified] One of the company's HCV assessments has been quality reviewed by the ALS Quality Panel since January 2015 and deemed satisfactory.

82. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach?

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also commits to this in its own reporting.

83. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

84. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

85. Peer review of all High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments undertaken since April 2015 by the HCSA Quality Assurance Process?

86. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs)?

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower.

87. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

88. Social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) available, and associated management and monitoring plans?

[Externally verified] The company publishes two SEIA assessments, but only one includes an associated management and monitoring plan. The information is externally verified by Green Consultancy Liberia.

89. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also makes this commitment in its own reporting.

90. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

91. Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)?

92. Implementation of commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

This indicator is disabled as the producer clearly states that it has no operations on peatland for above indicator ("Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)").

93. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat?

The company reports its commitment to implementing best management practices for peatland as outlined in GAR's Social and Environmental Policy. However, this commitment does not extend to best management practices for soils.

94. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

95. Evidence of best management practices for soils and peat?

The company reports that it has terraces, platforms with silt pits, and 'conservation plants' to protect soils. Limited information is provided and it is unclear what function the plants fulfil.

96. Commitment to zero burning?

The company commits to no burning through GAR's Social and Environmental Policy.

97. Commitment to zero burning applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

98. Evidence of fire monitoring and management?

99. Details/number of hotspots/fires in company estates?

100. Details/number of hotspots/fires within surrounding landscape/smallholders?

101. Time-bound commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity?

102. GHG emissions intensity?

103. GHG emissions from land use change in company's own operations (scope 1)?

104. GHG emissions from land use change in supplier operations (scope 3)?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

105. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions intensity?

The company reports its GHG emissions intensity as : -1.5 tCO2e/ha and -0.39 tCO2e/tCPO in 2022 and -1.18 tCO2e/ha and 0.48 tCO2e/tCPO in 2023. Figures appear to include sequestration and have not improved over time.

106. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

The company uses the RSPO GHG calculator to calculate GHG emissions.

107. Percentage of mills with methane capture (100%)?

108. Time-bound commitment to improve water use intensity?

109. Water use intensity?

110. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?

111. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality (BOD and COD)?

112. Progress towards commitment on water quality (BOD and COD)?

113. Treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME)?

The company reports reducing wastewater and waste as required prior to discharge or disposal. However, the commitment does not explicitly mention POME.

114. Treatment of palm oil refinery effluent (PORE)?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not own refineries.

115. Commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

The company commits to protect natural waterways through riparian zones.

116. Implementation of commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

117. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers?

The company commits to minimising the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides through GAR's Social and Environmental Policy.

118. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers, applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

119. Commitment to no use of paraquat?

The company commits to not use paraquat.

120. Commitment to no use of paraquat applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

121. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?

The company commits to only use World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides in exceptional circumstances, as outlined in GAR's Social and Environmental Policy.

122. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

123. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?

The company commits to only use Stockholm and Rotterdam Convention chemicals in exceptional circumstances, as outlined in GAR's Social and Environmental Policy.

124. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

125. Chemical usage per ha or list of chemicals used?

126. Implementation of commitment to minimise inorganic fertiliser use?

127. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

The company reports that it has an integrated pest management plan that includes identifying potential pests and thresholds, techniques for controlling pest attacks and identifying native plant species that can be used in biological control methods. However, the information is self-reported.

128. Waste management system in place to avoid negative impacts?

129. Commitment to human rights?

The company commits to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

130. Commitment to human rights applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

131. Progress on human rights commitment?

The company in its sustainability action plan reports that it is reviewing the RSPO's Human Rights Defender Protection protocol and developing a policy on human rights. However, no further detail is provided.

132. Commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights?

The company commits to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

133. Commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

134. Commitment to respect legal and customary land tenure rights?

The company commits to respect legal and customary land tenure rights, as outlined in GAR's Social and Environmental Policy.

135. Commitment to respect legal and customary land rights applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

136. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also commits to this in its own reporting.

137. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

138. Details of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process available?

The RSPO Principles and Criteria 2018 contain guidance and requirements on the process to conduct free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). Points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's commitments under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower.

139. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?

The company reports that it has engaged in stakeholder mapping, categorisation, and conflict resolution. However, the details of these activities are not available.

140. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

The company reports the details of its approach to handling land conflicts, outlining the specific steps and procedures involved.

141. Supports the inclusion of women across palm oil operations, including addressing barriers faced?

142. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

The company reports that before any new development, it will assess the food security of local communities and ensure that some land is used for food crops. However, it does not specify culturally relevant and appropriate crop diversity and/or security of food prices.

143. Progress on commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

The company launched a sustainable livelihoods programme which aims to improve local agricultural practices for reasons of income generation and food security. The project focuses on providing technical and material support for existing farm crops including cassava, plantain, and vegetables. However, the information is between two to five years old.

144. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

The company commits to provide essential community services and facilities.

145. Progress on commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

The company reports that it provides various essential services, including a community development fund, palm oil education, and transportation services for children to reach school.

146. Commitment to provide business/work opportunities for local communities?

The company commits to providing business and work opportunities for local communities through employment and purchasing goods and services from local people.

147. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles?

The company commits to the ILO's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

148. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

149. Progress on commitment to respect all workers' rights?

150. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

The company commits to prevent employment-related discrimination based on gender.

151. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

152. Progress on commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

153. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

154. Reports gender balance of employees?

155. Commitment to pay a living wage?

The company only commits to paying workers at least the minimum wage.

156. Commitment to pay a living wage applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

157. Progress on commitment to pay a living wage?

158. Reporting of salary by gender?

159. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?

The company commits to address health and safety at work for all workers.

160. Commitment to address occupational health and safety applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

161. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

The company reports that it provides PPE to workers handling hazardous chemicals. However, no information on related training is available.

162. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

163. Number of fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?

164. Commitment to support smallholders?

165. Programme to support scheme smallholders?

166. Percentage of scheme smallholders involved in programme?

167. Programme to support independent smallholders?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

168. Percentage of independent smallholders/outgrowers involved in programme?

169. Process used to prioritise, assess and/or engage suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

170. Number or percentage of suppliers assessed and/or engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

171. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

172. Time-bound action plans (including Key Performance Indicators) for suppliers to be in compliance with palm oil sourcing commitments?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

173. Proportion of supply from suppliers that is verified as deforestation- and/or conversion-free (DCF)?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

174. Time-bound plan to engage with all high risk mills within 3 years?

175. Programme to support high risk mills to become compliant with sourcing policies?

176. Regularly engages with a subset of high risk mills?

177. Procedures in place to assess all own and third party supplying palm oil mills for risk level?

178. Regularly assesses and categorises the risk level of all their own and third party supplying mills?

179. Regularly reports the risk level of all own and third party supplying mills identified in its supply chain?

180. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

The company commits to ethical conduct and the prohibition of corruption.

181. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption applies to all suppliers?

This indicator is disabled as the company has no suppliers including scheme smallholders and independent suppliers.

182. Progress on commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

183. Disclosure of the company's management approach to tax and payments to governments?

184. Whistleblowing procedure?

The company reports allowing whistleblowing and protecting whistleblowers. However, it does not provide details of the procedures involved.

185. Own grievance or complaints system open to all stakeholders?

The company published a grievance, dispute and conflict management SOP, which includes a flowchart of the process and a sample grievance request form.

186. Details of complaints and grievances disclosed?