Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environment
• Health
• Social
• Education
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• ISO 14001 certification received in December 2016 (formal certification by April 2017)
• Reforestation projects of 8,000 trees completed
• Establishment of a forest nursery with 18,000 seeds of various species
• Implementation of a non-planting policy in swamps and creation of green belts around villages to protect High Conservation Value Areas (HCVAs)

Social Achievements

• Employment of over 3,400 people in 2016, making SAC the largest private employer in Sierra Leone
• Implementation of various CSR projects including water wells, public toilets, community centers, a mosque, school rehabilitation, and road improvements
• Development of a microcredit fund of 45 million Leone
• Annual end-of-year party for 4,000 attendees

Governance Achievements

• Establishment of a Social and Grievance Committee with monthly meetings
• Development of HSE policy communicated to all employees and signed by suppliers and contractors
• Compliance with national environmental and social laws, including obtaining necessary permits and certificates
• Voluntary subscription to other standards such as IFC Performance Standards and RSPO Principles

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Initial difficulty in recruiting local workers due to land compensation
• Risk of uncontrolled fires during the dry season
• Need for further development of biodiversity management plan

Mitigation Strategies

• All current recruitment is now done from surrounding villages
• Development of a firefighting team and deployment of fire observers
• Conduct of a Biodiversity Ecosystem Services Impact Assessment (BESIA) and development of a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP)

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• HSE policy signed by all suppliers and contractors
• Requirement for suppliers to comply with ISO 14001, RSPO, and IFC Performance Standards

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: ISO 14001, IFC Performance Standards, RSPO Principles

Certifications: ISO 14001

Third-party Assurance: Bureau Veritas

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• ISO 14001:2015 certification obtained
• Reforestation projects of 8,000 trees completed
• Fruits Trees reforestation project in 5 schools and Bee Hives in PF’s completed
• Waste management plan implemented and monitored
• Air emissions within IFC standards

Social Achievements

• Strong social commitment in the Malen Chiefdom through open dialogue and CSR projects (water wells, public toilets, community centers, health facilities, schools, roads, etc.)
• Employment of over 3,500 people, making SAC one of the largest private employers in Sierra Leone
• Implementation of grievance mechanisms for both internal and external stakeholders
• Micro-credit fund of 45 million leone established
• 41 Socfin scholarships awarded

Governance Achievements

• Compliance with national environmental and social laws
• Implementation of HSE policy and code of conduct
• Membership in CAPPA (Commercial Agricultural Producers & Processors Association)
• General Manager elected Chairman of CAPPA for 2018
• ERM assessment against IFC and RSPO standards conducted

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Poor and expensive port facilities hindering bulk exports
• Low rainfall in 2015 impacting 2016 production
• Environmental non-compliances (39 recorded in 2017)

Mitigation Strategies

• Construction of a bulk port facility planned for 2018
• Implementation of mitigation measures to address environmental non-compliances
• Improved water management practices
• Improved waste management practices

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• HSE policy signed by all contractors and suppliers
• Prioritization of local products and employment

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Low rainfall

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, IFC Performance Standards, RSPO Principles

Certifications: ISO 14001:2015, OHSAS 18001 (in progress)

Third-party Assurance: Bureau Veritas

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environment
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• 100% of palm oil is RSPO Identity Preserved certified and fully traceable to the plantation level.
• Significant reduction in pesticide use per hectare.
• Successful verification under the UNFCCC in 2018 for co-composting project, resulting in 27,565 Certified Emission Reduction Units issued (CERs).

Social Achievements

• Creation of Socfindo Conservation and its flagship Medicinal Garden/Toga Project.
• Upskilling programs for women and stay-at-home mothers.
• Implementation of a specific grievance procedure for harassment.

Governance Achievements

• Adherence to the Socfin Group’s Responsible Management Policy.
• Implementation of a documented Human Rights Policy.
• Establishment of Gender Committees in each plantation.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Low CPO prices.
• Drought and unstable climatic conditions.
• Uncertain macroeconomic outlook exacerbated by US-China relations.
• COVID-19 pandemic causing severe disruptions.
• Poor fruit sets in oil palms.
• Ganoderma disease.
• Pestalotiopsis sp. leaf disease in rubber.

Mitigation Strategies

• Use of super male oil palms to improve fruit set.
• Use of estragole from Tarragon plant to attract EK weevils for pollination.
• Development of Ganoderma tolerant seeds.
• Development of caterpillar biological control using Beauveria bassiana.
• Implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans.
• Reduction in pesticide use.
• Co-composting of POME and EFB to reduce emissions.
• Water conservation initiatives in mills.
• Implementation of COVID-19 prevention measures.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Human Rights Policy extended to suppliers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Drought
• Very wet weather patterns

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option

Certifications: RSPO, ISPO, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 17025, OHSAS 18001:2007 (migrating to ISO 45001:2018), SMK3

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 2: Zero Hunger
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
• Goal 4: Quality Education
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 15: Life on Land
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Socfindo's initiatives contribute to these goals through sustainable agricultural practices, employee well-being programs, community development, and partnerships.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Ganoderma tolerant seeds
• High-yielding oil palm seeds

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Local Development
• Employees and Local Communities
• Environment

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced water consumption per ton of dry rubber produced by 11% compared to 2020 (from 21.66 m3 to 19.33 m3).

Social Achievements

• Conclusion of a five-year mediation process resolving land claims with local communities in Bousra.
• Won the EuroCham Cambodia’s 2021 CSR Award for the Business category.
• Provided free healthcare consultations (10,864) and other health services to employees and their families.
• Supported local vaccination campaigns with USD 1,000 donation.
• Donated two water wells to Pu Teut community.
• Provided free housing, electricity, and water to 1,272 people in company villages.
• Implemented training programs increasing local skills (341 students completed tapping academy training).

Governance Achievements

• Strict adherence to Cambodian laws and regulations, with no infractions reported during government audits.
• Zero tolerance approach to child labor, corruption, and forced labor.
• Implemented an internal grievance procedure, resolving one grievance in 2021.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Covid-19 pandemic affecting Cambodia.
• Land claims from local communities (resolved through mediation).
• Illegal logging and land encroachment in environmental areas.
• Forest and field fires during the dry season.

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented measures to protect employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, including facilitating vaccination.
• Engaged in a mediation process with local communities to resolve land disputes.
• Implemented a monitoring system for environmental infractions and collaborated with authorities to address them.
• Established a fire calendar and implemented fire prevention and firefighting measures.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Working with 11 local contractors

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI

Certifications: ISO 9001:2015 (rubber factory)

Awards & Recognition

• EuroCham Cambodia’s 2021 CSR Award for the Business category

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Rural development
• Employees and communities
• Environment

Environmental Achievements

• Achieved 91% RSPO certification rate for oil palm mills by the end of 2022 (96% by January 2023, aiming for 100% in 2023)
• Saved >15.5 million liters of fuel thanks to renewable energy production
• 2648 ha of protected forest at SOGB

Social Achievements

• More than 53,200 direct and indirect jobs in rural areas
• Access to healthcare on all sites
• Access to education for close to 64,500 children
• Implemented NERO traceability platform to combat deforestation

Governance Achievements

• Adopted a Governance Charter in 2018, renewed and strengthened in 2022
• Appointed a Compliance Officer in 2023 to strengthen anti-corruption training

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Land ownership issues in some countries
• High employee turnover in some regions
• Covid-19 pandemic impact on audits and operations
• Land pressure around sites due to demographic explosion

Mitigation Strategies

• Collaboration with governments and communities to clarify land ownership
• Continuous training and career development opportunities for employees
• Adaptation of measures and health management system to address Covid-19
• Implementation of NERO project for improved traceability and deforestation prevention

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Collaboration with local SMEs and VSBs
• Fair procurement practices
• Traceability tools to track production parcels

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Yields
• Pest management
• Ecosystem services
• Soils
• Water availability

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Extended Compliance Option, RSPO, GPSNR, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 9001

Certifications: RSPO, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, Organic, Global Gap

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 1, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15

Socfin's sustainability program aims to contribute to 12 of the 17 SDGs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• RSPO certified palm oil
• Sustainable natural rubber

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed