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ZSL has published a new analysis today of 100 of the most significant tropical timber and pulp companies. Despite international agreements to curb deforestation, the 2020 SPOTT assessments reveal widespread failure of timber companies to guarantee environmental protections for at least 11.7 million hectares of tropical forest.

• Over half (54%) do not publicly commit to protect biodiversity (49/90 companies) 
• 44% have yet to publicly commit to zero-deforestation (40/90 companies) 
• Only 37% provide evidence of conservation, such as restoring river habitats or planting native species in degraded areas (33/90 companies) 
• Just 13% report actively monitoring for deforestation throughout the areas they manage (12/90 companies). 

ZSL’s Forestry Technical Advisor Charlie Hammans, who led the analysis, says: "Tropical forests play a vital role as a carbon ‘sink’. They regulate global weather patterns, contain countless species and are home to 300 million people, yet companies still aren’t complying with the basic reporting standards expected of the sector.”

• An overview of the latest SPOTT Timber and Pulp benchmark, including key ESG and climate issues identified and progress to date;
• A company perspective on implementing best practices in managing ESG and climate issues within their operations and supply chain;
• An investor case study about their approach to ESG and climate risks and opportunities management in the Timber, Pulp and Paper sector.

ZSL's analysis finds that despite making commitments to zero deforestation, many palm oil producers do not provide evidence of implementation.
 

International conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is urging the palm oil industry to ramp up its reporting and take greater responsibility for its part in tackling the world’s climate and biodiversity crises, as they today (Tuesday 10 November 2020) release their annual assessment of 100 of the world’s most significant palm oil producers, processors and traders.

The clearance and burning of forests and carbon-rich peat soils to create land for palm oil production is among the biggest drivers of deforestation in the tropics – destroying precious wildlife habitats, removing natural carbon storage and so accelerating biodiversity loss and climate change.

The analysis of 100 producers, processors and traders of palm oil published by ZSL’s SPOTT team – an initiative developed by ZSL to incentivise transparency of reporting and the implementation of best practice – has found that while 71% (56 out of 79) of the companies assessed have made a clear and robust commitment to zero deforestation, just 42% (33 out of 79) provide detailed information on how they are actually monitoring deforestation in their own operations.

• What are crushers and refiners and why are they important in palm oil supply chains?
• Do these companies have sufficient deforestation and traceability commitments?
• To what extent are companies reporting implementation of these commitments?
• How do these companies contribute to leakage markets?
• What role does the financial sector play in achieving zero-deforestation palm oil supply chains?

27 August 2020
09:00-09:45 AM EST / 2:00-2:45 PM BST