POSCO International
Palm oil assessment- Latest update: October 2025
- Next scheduled: November 2027
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Parent company:POSCO Holdings
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Landbank (oil palm)34,194 hectares
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Market cap:6,662,900,000 USD
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Thomson Reuters ticker:047050.KS
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Bloomberg ticker:047050 KS Equity
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Sedol:B0DY2P7
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LEI:
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RSPO member?Yes - The company's subsidiary PT BIA is a member of the RSPO, which covers all of the company's palm oil operations.
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Website:
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Media Monitor
- ZSL's SPOTT team monitors international media for news on assessed companies, collecting articles about pertinent activities. They don't confirm the accuracy of the media coverage, but it can be leveraged by SPOTT users to gain insights into a company's operations and possible risks. To access this company's media reports, scroll down or click here.
Company assessment: POSCO International – June 2017
Assessment date:
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Sustainability policy and leadership
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1. Sustainable palm oil policy or commitment for all its operations?
PT. BIA the palm oil subsidiary of POSCO DAEWOO developed its environmental and social policy in 2016.
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0 / 12. Policy or commitment applies to direct and third-party suppliers?
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3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?
Department of Sustainable Management.
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4. Sustainability report published within last two years?
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5. Member of industry schemes or other external initiatives to improve palm oil sustainability or transparency?
PT. BIA report in accordance with the GRI reporting framework. Parent company POSCO is a member of GRI, UNGC and WBCSD.
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6. Verification report on compliance with POIG Charter, if a POIG member?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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0 / 1
7. Activities with government and/or NGOs to improve palm oil sustainability?
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Landbank, maps and traceability
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8. Total land area managed/controlled for oil palm (ha)?
34195
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9. Total oil palm planted area (ha)?
27000
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10. Plasma/scheme smallholders planted area (ha)?
1500 - PT. BIA states it agreed on the 1st plasma area in 2016 of 1,500 ha, although unclear if this is planted or not.
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0 / 1
11. Unplanted (areas designated for future planting)(ha)?
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12. Conservation set-aside area, including HCV area (ha)?
PT. BIA only states that 3,500 ha of wildlife preservation zones and then 2,205 ha of swamps and waterways were removed from the original IUP of 39,900 ha. It is unclear if PT. BIA is managing these set-aside areas.
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0 / 1
13. Area for infrastructure (ha)?
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14. Number of company owned mills?
1 - PT. BIA has one mill that it plans to complete in Q1 2017.
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0 / 1
15. Maps or coordinates of company owned mills?
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16. Number and names of supplier mills?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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0 / 1
17. Maps of estates/management units?
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0 / 1
18. Maps of scheme/plasma smallholders?
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19. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to mill level?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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20. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to plantation level?
PT. BIA only states it strives to establish a transparent sourcing network with traceability.
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21. Percentage of supply traceable to mill level (is 100%)?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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0 / 2
22. Percentage of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from own mills traceable to plantation level (is above 75%)?
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23. Percentage of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from supplier mills traceable to plantation level (is above 75%)?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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Deforestation and biodiversity
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24. Commitment to address deforestation?
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0 / 1
25. Commitment to zero deforestation?
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0 / 1
26. Deforestation commitment applies to scheme smallholders and independent suppliers?
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27. Criteria for defining deforestation?
HCV.
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0 / 1
28. Evidence of monitoring deforestation?
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29. Commitment to set aside areas for conservation?
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0 / 1
30. Evidence of habitat management and/or habitat restoration?
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0 / 1
31. A landscape-level approach?
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32. Commitment to biodiversity conservation?
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33. Commitment to not endanger species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?
PT. BIA only states it prohibits capturing of rare and endangered species listed under IUCN during farm work.
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34. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species?
PT. BIA only states it prohibits capturing of rare and endangered species during farm work.
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0 / 1
35. Commitment not to operate within internationally and nationally designated protected areas?
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36. Evidence of species conservation activities?
PT. BIA only states it consistently monitors rare species.
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HCV, HCS and impact assessments
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37. Commitment to High Conservation Value (HCV) approach?
PT. BIA states it protects HCV areas, but unclear if commits to HCV assessments for all new planting.
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0 / 1
38. HCV commitment applies to scheme smallholders and independent suppliers?
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0 / 1
39. Commitment to only use licensed High Conservation Value (HCV) assessors accredited by the HCV Resource Network's Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS)?
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0 / 1
40. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments for planting undertaken prior to January 2015, and associated management and monitoring plans?
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41. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments for all estates planted since January 2015?
PT. BIA submitted an HCV assessment on the HCV Resource Network however the status is unsatisfactory and the report is not published.
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0 / 1
42. High Conservation Value (HCV) management and monitoring plans for all estates planted since January 2015?
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43. Satisfactory review of all High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments undertaken since January 2016 by the HCV ALS Quality Panel?
The HCV assessment of PT. BIA has been deemed unsatisfactory.
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44. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) approach?
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0 / 1
45. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments?
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0 / 1
46. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs)?
The company states it carries out biannual environment impact assessments within the PT. BIA operating sites but it does not commit to undertaking social impact assessments and the company does not commit to carrying them out before all new planting.
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47. Social and environmental impact assessment (SEIAs) undertaken, and associated management and monitoring plans?
PT. BIA states it has performed environmental impact assessments, including AMDAL, and submitted management and monitoring plans, but no documents are available.
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Peat, fire and GHG emissions
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48. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?
PT. BIA only states it strives to protect peatlands.
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0 / 1
49. Peat commitment applies to scheme smallholders and independent suppliers?
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0 / 1
50. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat?
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0 / 1
51. Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)?
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52. Evidence of best management practices for soils and peat?
The company only details best management practices for soils.
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53. Commitment to zero burning?
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0 / 1
54. Zero burning commitment applies to scheme smallholders and independent suppliers?
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55. Evidence of management and monitoring fires?
PT. BIA has developed a management procedure to prevent burnings, each estate has its own fire prevention team, fire prevention guards are deployed at watch towers and during the dry season set up fire patrol team for regular surveillance.
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0 / 1
56. Details/number of hotspots/fires in company estates?
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0 / 1
57. Details/number of hotspots/fires within surrounding landscape/smallholders?
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58. Time-bound commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?
PT. BIA states it is reducing greenhouse has emissions, but does not have a time-bound commitment.
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0 / 1
59. GHG commitment applies to scheme smallholders and independent suppliers?
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60. GHG emissions?
The company only report GHG emissions from diesel and gasoline consumption.
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0 / 1
61. GHG emissions from land use change?
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0 / 1
62. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?
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0 / 1
63. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions?
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0 / 1
64. Percentage of mills with methane capture (is above 75%)?
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Water, chemical and pest management
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65. Commitment to manage water use and water quality?
PT. BIA states that it manages water quality and plans to establish a water management system when mill is in operation in 2017.
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0 / 1
66. Time-bound commitments to improve water use and water quality?
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0 / 1
67. Progress towards commitment on water use?
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68. Progress towards commitment on water quality?
Reports BOD and COD figures on water quality, but does not have a clear commitment that reports progress towards.
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0 / 1
69. Protection of natural waterways through buffer zones?
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0 / 1
70. Evidence of treating palm oil mill effluent (POME)?
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71. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers?
PT. BIA only states it minimises pollutants and plans to increase organic fertiliser use, but does not have a clear commitment to minimise the use of chemicals.
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0 / 1
72. No use of paraquat?
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0 / 1
73. No use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?
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0 / 1
74. No use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?
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0 / 1
75. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?
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0 / 1
76. Chemical usage per ha or list of chemicals used?
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Community, land and labour rights
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77. Commitment to human rights, referencing the UN Declaration of Human Rights or UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights?
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78. Commitment to respect legal and customary land tenure rights?
PT. BIA only states it protects the rights to property, water and sanitation, and culture of indigenous groups and local communities.
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79. Commitment to respect indigenous and local communities' rights, referencing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples or ILO 169?
The company respects the rights of indigenous communities but they do not reference the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples or ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention.
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80. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?
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0 / 1
81. FPIC commitment applies to independent suppliers?
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0 / 1
82. Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process?
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83. Process for addressing land conflicts?
The company provides a flowchart of its Resolution Mechanism process.
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0 / 1
84. Commitment to ensure food security for local communities?
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85. Commitment to respect all workers' rights?
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86. Reference to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles?
PT. BIA does not refer to equal remuneration.
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87. Total number of employees?
825 - PT. BIA had 825 full-time employees as of June 2016, excluding 1,500 subcontractors.
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0 / 1
88. Percentage or number of temporary employees?
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89. Percentage or number of women employees?
99 (12%)
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90. Minimum wage that the company pays?
PT. BIA states that it pays the minimum wage in accordance with Indonesian Labour Law.
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91. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?
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0 / 1
92. Lost time accident rate?
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0 / 1
93. Number of fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?
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94. Provision of personal protective equipment and pesticide training?
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Certification standards
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95. Member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member, but ultimately plans to become one.
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0 / 0.5
96. Submitted most recent RSPO Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP)?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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0 / 0.5
97. Listed all countries and regions in which operates in most recent RSPO Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP)?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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0 / 0.5
98. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of estates within 5 years or achieved 100% RSPO-certification of estates?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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0 / 0.5
99. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of scheme/associated smallholders within 5 years or achieved 100% RSPO-certification of scheme/associated smallholders?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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100. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of all supply chains?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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0 / 0.5
101. 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?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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0 / 2
102. Percentage of mills RSPO-certified (is above 75%)?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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0 / 2
103. Percentage of area (ha) RSPO-certified (is above 75%)?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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0 / 2
104. Percentage of scheme/associated smallholders (ha) RSPO-certified (is above 75%)?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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0 / 2
105. Percentage of FFB supply (tonnes) from independent FFB suppliers that is RSPO-certified (is above 75%)?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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106. Percentage of all palm oil and oil palm products handled/traded/processed (tonnes) that are RSPO-certified (is above 75%)?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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0 / 1
107. Sells or processes/trades RSPO-certified palm oil through Segregated or Identity Preserved supply chains?
POSCO DAEWOO Corporation is not an RSPO member.
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108. Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certified (100%)?
PT. BIA has received farm assessments at the development stage, but not at the harvest stage as its mill was not yet in operation.
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109. Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certified (100%)?
This indicator is disabled as it is not applicable to this company.
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0 / 1
110. Certified under voluntary sustainability certification scheme (e.g. ISCC, SAN, RSB, etc.)?
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Smallholders and suppliers
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111. Programme to support scheme smallholders?
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112. Details of support programme for scheme smallholders?
Provides training, operation funds and technical support.
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0 / 1
113. Number or percentage of scheme smallholders involved in programme?
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0 / 1
114. Programme to support independent smallholders?
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0 / 1
115. Details of support programme for independent smallholders?
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0 / 1
116. Number or percentage of independent smallholders involved in programme?
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0 / 1
117. Process used to prioritise, assess and/or engage suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?
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0 / 1
118. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?
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0 / 1
119. Number or percentage of suppliers assessed and/or engaged?
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Governance and grievances
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120. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?
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121. Whistleblowing procedure?
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122. Own grievance or complaints system?
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123. Grievance system accessible to internal stakeholders (i.e. employees)?
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124. Grievance system accessible to external stakeholders?
PT. BIA states its grievance channel is open to local residents.
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0 / 2
125. Details of grievances disclosed?
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SPOTT scores are based on the presence of external evidence made available by the company or third-parties.
Media monitor: POSCO International
SPOTT monitors global media sources for coverage of assessed companies. The media monitor gathers reports about specific activities related to the assessment indicator categories. ZSL does not assess or score the validity of media coverage, but users can explore the media monitor to provide context on implementation, and infer risks associated with reported operations on the ground. The media monitor undergoes a full update at the time of publishing an assessment round, with ad-hoc updates throughout the year. This is not an exhaustive list of all media reports relevant to the company.
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June 2024
Guntur : Jangan sebut kami mencaplok lahan masyarakat adat, tanggung jawab Plasma sudah diberikan (Guntur: Don't say that we are grabbing indigenous people's land, Plasma responsibility has been given)
April 2023
Withdraw all false and fabricated cases against anti-POSCO and anti-Jindal Protesters
April 2023
NGT stays environmental clearance for JSW project in Odisha, protestors relieved
April 2021
Greenpeace Beberkan Izin-izin Keluar di Hutan Alam Papua (Greenpeace Issues Exit Permits in Papua's Natural Forests)
April 2021
POSCO Pohang Steel Mill has violated laws in 225 cases,' says Employment and Labor Administration
July 2020
Video: 'Injustice' for West Papuans whose land was sold out from under them
June 2020
Perusahaan Kelapa Sawit dan Pemerintah Bantah Pencemaran Sungai di Merauke (Palm Oil Companies and Government Denies River Pollution in Merauke)
March 2020
South Korean trading giant to compensate for past deforestation in Papua
January 2019
Wie kann man die Bulldozer stoppen? Palmöl-Industrie sucht neue Flächen! – Rainforest in Papua – Can maps stop a bulldozer? (How can you stop the bulldozers? Palm oil industry is looking for new space! - Rainforest in Papua - Can you stop a bulldozer?)
October 2018
Nestle ready to share evidence of deforestation in palm oil supply chain
September 2018
The Final Countdown: Now or never to reform the palm oil industry
July 2018
Draw the line: A black book about the shady investments by Dutch banks in palm oil
June 2018
Dutch pension fund divests from Posco Daewoo over deforestation in Indonesia
April 2018
South Korean company under fire for alleged deforestation in Papua oil palm concession
March 2018
Oil Palm Plantation Encroaching on Primary Forest in Indonesian Papua
October 2017
Report Shows Palm Oil Companies Disclosed How Much Damage They Would Cause - And It Was Still Allowed!
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Media monitor: POSCO International
SPOTT monitors global media sources for coverage of assessed companies. The media monitor gathers reports about specific activities related to the assessment indicator categories. ZSL does not assess or score the validity of media coverage, but users can explore the media monitor to provide context on implementation, and infer risks associated with reported operations on the ground.
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