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  • Overall approach
    2/14
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/6
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      UN Global Compact
      "[...]a member of, and participates in, the activities of the National Business Initiative (NBI) which is the local partner for CDP, World Business Council on Sustainable Development and the UN Global Compact". 
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      "Deforestation is the second largest contributor to climate change, after fossil fuel combustion."
      Open source document
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/3
  • Commodity score
    27/86
    • Leather
      20/86
      • Commitment Strength
        11/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          11/21
          • Commitment details
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            If Other, specify here: Leather Working Group
            Certification schemes mentioned: Other (specify)
            Type of commitment: Sustainability commitment
            "Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2017, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2017, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2017, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2017, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2017, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current
            2/2
            Target date
            Current
            2/2
            "Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2017, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production". 
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/2
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/15
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/2
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/2
      • Reporting and Implementation
        0/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/3
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          No monitoring
          0/4
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
      • Social Considerations
        9/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land."
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          Associated British Foods Plc state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the UN Declaration on Human Rights. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Associated British Foods Plc require suppliers to ensure that their workers are not discriminated against on the basis of gender.
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
    • Palm oil
      29/86
      • Commitment Strength
        13/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          13/15
          • Commitment details
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Type of commitment: Certification
            Certification schemes mentioned: RSPO
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
        • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
      • Reporting and Implementation
        7/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          2/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          1/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            certification
            "100% of our palm oil-related consumption comes through supply models recognised by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including Book & Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          No monitoring
          0/4
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          Full
          4/4
          Report volumes of commodity
          Full
          4/4
          ABF reported their total 2017 usage of palm oil as 68394 tonnes, all of which was certified, in the 2018 CDP report.
          Open source document
      • Social Considerations
        9/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land."
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          Associated British Foods Plc state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the UN Declaration on Human Rights. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Associated British Foods Plc require suppliers to ensure that their workers are not discriminated against on the basis of gender.
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
    • Pulp & Paper
      30/86
      • Commitment Strength
        19/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          10/15
          • Commitment details
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Certification schemes mentioned: FSC
            Type of commitment: Certification
            ABF state that they use "FSC Chain of Custody" certification for paper packaging.
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            ABF state that they use "FSC Chain of Custody" certification for paper packaging.
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            ABF state that they use "FSC Chain of Custody" certification for paper packaging.
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            ABF state that they use "FSC Chain of Custody" certification for paper packaging.
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            ABF state that they use "FSC Chain of Custody" certification for paper packaging.
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          9/11
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: Reduction of material inputs
            "Our businesses are making progress in finding alternative packaging materials which weigh less or require less bulk". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "Our businesses are making progress in finding alternative packaging materials which weigh less or require less bulk". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "Our businesses are making progress in finding alternative packaging materials which weigh less or require less bulk". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "Our businesses are making progress in finding alternative packaging materials which weigh less or require less bulk". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "Our businesses are making progress in finding alternative packaging materials which weigh less or require less bulk". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            "Our businesses are making progress in finding alternative packaging materials which weigh less or require less bulk". 
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
      • Reporting and Implementation
        2/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          No monitoring
          0/4
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          Partial
          2/4
          Report volumes of commodity
          Partial
          2/4
          Quantity of packaging used for 2018 reported to be 246000 tonnes.
          Open source document
      • Social Considerations
        9/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land."
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          Associated British Foods Plc state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the UN Declaration on Human Rights. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Associated British Foods Plc require suppliers to ensure that their workers are not discriminated against on the basis of gender.
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
    • Soy
      27/86
      • Commitment Strength
        11/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          11/21
          • Commitment details
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            Type of commitment: Sustainability commitment
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2024
            0.8/2
            Target date
            2024
            0.8/2
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            2/2
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            2/2
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/15
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1.5
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1.5
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1.5
            Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1.5
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/2
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/2
      • Reporting and Implementation
        7/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          3/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            3/3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            3/3
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/3
        • Reporting is independently verified
          2/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            certification
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          No monitoring
          0/4
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Attending & contributing to meetings; Providing support/advice/experience/expertise
          "We are also a member of the FEFAC Task force on Sustainability and Responsible Soya, the AIC Sustainability Committee and the AIC Responsible Raw Material Sub Group." "We are a member of the newly formed UK Round Table on Sustainable Soya"
          Open source document Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
      • Social Considerations
        9/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land."
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          Associated British Foods Plc state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the UN Declaration on Human Rights. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Associated British Foods Plc require suppliers to ensure that their workers are not discriminated against on the basis of gender.
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
  • Commitment strength
    14/36
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    4/34
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    9/16
    Avg. score

Profile

Associated British Foods is a diversified group with operations in food, ingredients and retail. The group’s business units include teas, cereals, sugars, and animal feed with such brands such as Twinings, Ryvita, and Blue Dragon. It is also a leading vendor in the baking ingredients market and the owner of the clothing retailer Primark. These diverse businesses expose the group to palm oil and soy in food production, soy in animal feed and leather in apparel. In 2015, for example, it used more than 24,000 metric tons of palm oil and palm oil derivatives in its products. It is also among the top fifteen producers of animal feed in Europe, with a production of over 2.2 million metric tons in 2014.

Sector
Industry sector 
Apparel & footwear, Ingredients, Packaged food
Segments
Manufacturer
HQ
HQ 
United Kingdom
Company Type
Company type 
Public listed
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

AB Mauri, Allisons, Askeys, Billingtons, Blue Dragon, Capullo, Dorset Cereals, Jordans, Kingsmill, Ryvitas, Silver Spoon, Sunblest, Tip Top, Twinings, Primark

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.