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  • Overall approach
    3/16
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/6
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      If Other Initiative, specify:: Cerrado Working Group (GTC)

      Which initiatives?: Consumer Goods Forum; Soy Moratorium; Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 partner; World Business Council for Sustainable Development Forest Solutions Group; UN Global Compact; Other intiative
      "As a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and its Soft Commodities Forum, we partner with our sector peers to collectively monitor progress on transparent and traceable soy sourcing in Brazil’s Cerrado." [...] "We are signatory to the UN Global Compact" [...] We are a Tropical Forest Alliance Steering Committee member." [...] "We are signatory to the Soy Moratorium and uphold its principle to not finance or source soy produced on deforested farmland in the Amazon after July 2008." COFCO is also a member of the Consumer Goods Forum.
      Open source document
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      "No conversion of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas and High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests Suppliers commit to the conservation of biodiversity and the respect of HCV areas and HCS forests, as well as protected areas. - High Conservation Value areas Areas as defined in High Conservation Value Resource Network Common Guidance for Identification of HCVs1 . These areas have critical value for biological diversity, ecosystem services, and cultural and community needs. - High Carbon Stock forests HCS forests as defined by the global multi-stakeholder platform of expertise on HCS, the High Carbon Stock Approach2 ."
      Open source document
    • Deforestation as a business risk
      1/1
      Business risk
      Yes
      1/1
      Does the company recognise the risk as financial, operational, competition, reputational, or other? Please detail.: operational
      "In 2019, we further formalised our commitment to biodiversity conservation through our Environmental Policy and environmental impact assessment for all new operations, defining priority areas for targeted conservation efforts. These include our sugarcane operations in Brazil, soy sourcing in Latin America and palm oil sourcing in Indonesia. We also updated commodity sourcing policies and respective management procedures to focus more closely on conservation. COFCO International supports forest conservation and restoration in our supply chains and on our operated farms. We monitor flora and fauna around our sugar plantations, and promote responsible farming practices to improve soil health, preserve water and manage pests, which help to lower our impact on biodiversity. And as the climate changes, these regions are experiencing more frequent extreme temperatures and irregular rainfall – potentially heightened by deforestation and native vegetation loss – presenting an increasing risk to the future of this valuable crop. "
      Open source document
    • High-level management of deforestion
      0/1
      High-level management
      No
      0/1
      How often does the committee or board meet to assess company's progress on addressing deforestation-related issues?: Not specified

      Which commodities does it apply to?: Palm oil; Soy; Timber; Pulp & Paper
    • Executive compensation linked to deforestation
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
      Yes
      0/0
      How many hectares of reforestation or restoration are being or have been conducted or facilitated by the company?: 880 hectares
      "To help rebuild natural habitats, in 2019, we continued with reforestation initiatives through our environmental management plan. We planted over 240,000 trees on our dedicated 850-hectare conservation area. Together with the Brazil Forest Institute, local authorities and communities, we also planted over 35,000 seedlings of native trees on 30 hectares in the Northwest Forest of São Paulo state. "
      Open source document
  • Commodity score
    33/84
    • Palm oil
      46/84
      • Commitment Strength
        21/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          9/12
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross conversion
            8/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Zero-gross conversion
            8/8
            In their Supplier Code of Conduct, COFCO state requirements of all their commodity suppliers, including: "Use environmental practices that avoid deforestation and protect against conversion of natural and critical habitats leading to a loss of biodiversity."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            [COFCO international only] In their Supplier Code of Conduct, COFCO International state requirements of all their commodity suppliers, including: "Use environmental practices that avoid deforestation and protect against conversion of natural and critical habitats leading to a loss of biodiversity."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1.3
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            "As member to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), we continue to support its mission to create traceable, transparent and sustainable palm supply chains.."
            Open source document
        • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
          6/8
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: HCS; Peat
            "This Policy applies to all suppliers from whom we source physical palm oil, palm kernel oil and derivatives or with whom we have a trading relationship, as well as their sub-tier suppliers. [...] Suppliers commit to the conservation of biodiversity and the respect of HCV areas and HCS forests, as well as protected areas. [...] No new development on peat land, regardless of depth Peat is defined as soil containing over 65% organic matter. For existing plantations on peat, best management practices as defined by the RSPO should be followed and, where appropriate, peat restoration should be considered and attempted."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            COFCO International state that "This Policy applies to all suppliers from whom we source physical palm oil, palm kernel oil and derivatives or with whom we have a trading relationship, as well as their sub-tier suppliers. [...] Suppliers commit to the conservation of biodiversity and the respect of HCV areas and HCS forests, as well as protected areas. [...] No new development on peat land, regardless of depth. Peat is defined as soil containing over 65% organic matter. For existing plantations on peat, best management practices as defined by the RSPO should be followed and, where appropriate, peat restoration should be considered and attempted."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            "This Policy applies to all suppliers from whom we source physical palm oil, palm kernel oil and derivatives or with whom we have a trading relationship, as well as their sub-tier suppliers. [...] Suppliers commit to the conservation of biodiversity and the respect of HCV areas and HCS forests, as well as protected areas. [...] No new development on peat land, regardless of depth. Peat is defined as soil containing over 65% organic matter. For existing plantations on peat, best management practices as defined by the RSPO should be followed and, where appropriate, peat restoration should be considered and attempted."
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            "This Policy applies to all suppliers from whom we source physical palm oil, palm kernel oil and derivatives or with whom we have a trading relationship, as well as their sub-tier suppliers. [...] Suppliers commit to the conservation of biodiversity and the respect of HCV areas and HCS forests, as well as protected areas. [...] No new development on peat land, regardless of depth. Peat is defined as soil containing over 65% organic matter. For existing plantations on peat, best management practices as defined by the RSPO should be followed and, where appropriate, peat restoration should be considered and attempted."
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          6/8
          • Commitment details
            Downstream company - traces to Processing Facility - checks compliance
            4/4
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Downstream company - traces to Processing Facility - checks compliance
            4/4
            "Full palm oil traceability to mill by 2021 "
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            If no, what is excluded?: Subsidary
            COFCO International committed to "Full palm oil traceability to mill by 2021"
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2021
            1.2/1.3
            Target date
            2021
            1.2/1.3
            "Full palm oil traceability to mill by 2021 "
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            "Full palm oil traceability to mill by 2021 "
            Open source document
      • Social Considerations
        7/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          In COFCO International's Supplier Code of Conduct, it states that suppliers must "Human and labour rights - Protect the human rights of its employees as set out in the International Labour Organization's eight Core Conventions, and treat them with dignity and respect; Grant employees the right to freely associate, organize and bargain collectively in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; Only employ workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement and not tolerate any form of child labour; Not tolerate slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking; Not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment; and Provide employees pay, including minimum salary, overtime payment, work hours and conditions in compliance with applicable laws and regulations"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          "Suppliers don’t tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment or violence in hiring and employment practices withregards to race, religion, sex, age, physical ability, political opinion, social or ethnic origin or sexual orientation."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: Current
          "COFCO International Ltd. adheres to the responsible governance of land tenure. We respect legal and customary land rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples throughout our business activities. We are committed to international human rights standards on the rights to land and natural resources, as well as the IFC Performance Standards on Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples. Acquisition of land will follow all local applicable procedures, including obtaining the correspondent authorizations and licenses. In line with the above, we commit ourselves to the following: [...] Follow the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for undertaking land-related transactions affecting local communities and Indigenous Peoples with customary land rights"
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        18/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          6/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            "In 2019, our one palm oil refinery in Kandla, India, achieved RSPO certification and is now ready to supply certified sustainable palm oil to the domestic market."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            2/2
            Does the company report on the degree of compliance/progress with commitments, disaggregated by relevant factors such as origin or supply chain stage?: Yes
            In their 2019 ACOP, COFCO report that they used 620,000 tons of RSPO-certified palm oil, of which 36,400 tons were RSPO-certified (5.87%)
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Yes
            2/2
            "Full palm oil traceability to mill by 2021 Traceability is another key element for supply base analysis. We made steady progress on traceability to mill level, reaching 86% by end of 2019, with the aim to reach full traceability to mill by 2021."
            Open source document
        • Reporting is independently verified
          3/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            certified volume is reported within their 2018 ACOP report - "34130 RSPO Certified tonnes"
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            In their 2019 ACOP, COFCO report that they used 620,000 tons of RSPO-certified palm oil, of which 36,400 tons were RSPO-certified (5.87%)
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of the mechanism: Social; Environmental

          Does the company publish grievances that have been made against it, as well as responses and resolutions including status and timeframes: No

          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, focused on social issues, focused on environmental issues, etc.)?: hotline and webform
          "Reporting misconduct COFCO International will seek collaboration with our suppliers and other stakeholders to assist the implementation of this Code. We encourage stakeholders to report potential non-compliances via COFCO International Integrity Hotline (cofcointernational.ethicspoint.com)." [....] "COFCO International is a Company with strong values of Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Sustainability. Our Code of Conduct contains general obligations and responsibilities for conducting business with the highest standards of ethics" "This global Integrity hotline procedure (this “Procedure”) applies to all Employees and subsidiaries of CIL, and to any third-party with an interest, issue or concern with CIL or its operations (hereinafter “Stakeholders”). This includes, without limitation, agents, suppliers, customers, and neighbours of the Company or its facilities."
          Open source document
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume; Reporting certified/compliant volume
          4/4
          Report volumes of commodity
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume; Reporting certified/compliant volume
          4/4
          For what percent of the company's supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: 5.87%

          Which certification schemes are used?: RSPO

          What is the certified volume?: 36,400 tons

          What is the non-certified/non-compliant volume?: 583,600 tons
          In their 2019 ACOP, COFCO report that they used 620,000 tons of RSPO-certified palm oil, of which 36,400 tons were RSPO-certified (5.87%)
          Open source document
        • Upstream: Impact assessments for land development/acquisition
          Yes
          4/4
          Upstream: Impact assessments for land development/acquisition
          Yes
          4/4
          "Target: Stakeholder Engagement Plan and social dialogue at all high community impact operations by 2021 Environmental and social impact assessment prior to all new site construction and acquisition"
          Open source document
        • Upstream: Reporting production/processing locations
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes report direct suppliers; Yes report indirect suppliers
          4/4
          Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes report direct suppliers; Yes report indirect suppliers
          4/4
          For what percent of smallholder suppliers is location disclosed?: 0 not specified

          For what percent of suppliers' production areas are point locations disclosed?: 100%

          Does the company disclose location of suppliers' production areas or primary processing sites?: Production areas

          For what percent are boundaries disclosed?: 100%

          From what country(ies) does the company source material?: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
          "Working with our partner Proforest, we are progressing the traceability of palm oil supply to mill level and building a clearer environmental and social profile of our palm oil supply chain. With this information, we will identify potential hotspots and prioritize our supplier engagement and compliance verification with our Policy. Please see our 2019 supplying mill list here." [...] "2019 Palm Traceability to Mill The list shows mills COFCO International's was potentially linked to through our 2019 supply chain Data is based on self-declared information or public dashboards from suppliers"
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Upstream: Monitor compliance of production/processing
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes for its suppliers only
          3/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes for its suppliers only
          3/4
          How frequently is compliance assessed?: not specified

          Details of monitoring: Using internal monitoring and verification systems
          "In 2019, we stepped up our approach to achieving sustainable palm oil supply chains by launching our first Sustainable Palm Oil Sourcing Policy, which formalises our NDPE commitments – no deforestation, no peat, no labour exploitation. We have started to specify these requirements in supplier contracts to help raise supplier awareness and ensure compliance with our requirements. We have also developed an internal procedure to guide our teams on policy implementation, including Tier 1 supplier evaluation and engagement in case of non-compliance, traceability data management and grievances"
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Blacklist non-compliant suppliers without engagement
          1/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Blacklist non-compliant suppliers without engagement
          1/2
          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
          "We reserve the right to request corrective actions by suppliers in case of confirmed non-compliances and disengage from suppliers in case of failure or unwillingness to implement such actions. We will report policy implementation progress in our annual sustainability reports, among other channels."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Soy
      44/84
      • Commitment Strength
        19/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          12/17
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross conversion
            10.7/10.7
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Zero-gross conversion
            10.7/10.7
            (For downstream soy companies only) Does the company commitment also apply to hidden/indirect soy?: No
            In their Supplier Code of Conduct, COFCO state requirements of all their commodity suppliers, including: "Use environmental practices that avoid deforestation and protect against conversion of natural and critical habitats leading to a loss of biodiversity."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
            [COFCO international only] In their Supplier Code of Conduct, COFCO International state requirements of all their commodity suppliers, including: "Use environmental practices that avoid deforestation and protect against conversion of natural and critical habitats leading to a loss of biodiversity."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            1/1
            Interim target date
            Yes
            1/1
            "Sustainable agricultural practices • Use environmental practices that avoid deforestation and protect against conversion of natural and critical habitats leading to a loss of biodiversity"
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          8/11
          • Commitment details
            Traces to Point of production
            5.3/5.3
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Traces to Point of production
            5.3/5.3
            " In 2019, we [COFCO International] achieved 100% soy traceability to farm for all direct sourcing in 25 priority municipalities in Brazil’s Cerrado, and by 2023, we aim to achieve full traceability to farm for all directly sourced Brazilian soybean. "
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
            What percentage of commodity production/sourcing is excluded?: 0 not specified
            " In 2019, we [COFCO International] achieved 100% soy traceability to farm for all direct sourcing in 25 priority municipalities in Brazil’s Cerrado, and by 2023, we aim to achieve full traceability to farm for all directly sourced Brazilian soybean. "
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2023
            1.3/2
            Target date
            2023
            1.3/2
            " In 2019, we [COFCO International] achieved 100% soy traceability to farm for all direct sourcing in 25 priority municipalities in Brazil’s Cerrado, and by 2023, we aim to achieve full traceability to farm for all directly sourced Brazilian soybean. "
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            1/1
            Interim target date
            Yes
            1/1
            " In 2019, we [COFCO International] achieved 100% soy traceability to farm for all direct sourcing in 25 priority municipalities in Brazil’s Cerrado, and by 2023, we aim to achieve full traceability to farm for all directly sourced Brazilian soybean. "
            Open source document
      • Social Considerations
        10/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          In COFCO International's Supplier Code of Conduct, it states that suppliers must "Human and labour rights - Protect the human rights of its employees as set out in the International Labour Organization's eight Core Conventions, and treat them with dignity and respect; Grant employees the right to freely associate, organize and bargain collectively in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; Only employ workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement and not tolerate any form of child labour; Not tolerate slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking; Not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment; and Provide employees pay, including minimum salary, overtime payment, work hours and conditions in compliance with applicable laws and regulations"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          What is the nature of that support?: Technical assistance/support; Economic

          How many smallholders do they support, and what percentage does this represent in terms of their sourcing from smallholders?: 50,000 smallholders
          "Supporting smallholderfarmers in BrazilWhile Brazil is known for large-scale industrialized soy production, there are also many smallholders whose livelihoods rely on soybean, especially in the southern states. In 2019, we continued to promote the inclusion of smallholder farmers within our soy supply chain under the Social Fuel Stamp. Inparticular, our technical teams visited farms andprovided expert support throughout the productionprocess, from planning, soil preparation, plantingand pest control, all the way to harvest and storage.In 2019, we purchased over 330,000 tonnes ofsoybean from 24 cooperatives, benefiting over50,000 smallholder soy farmers."
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/4
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: current
          "COFCO International Ltd. adheres to the responsible governance of land tenure. We respect legal and customary land rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples throughout our business activities. We are committed to international human rights standards on the rights to land and natural resources, as well as the IFC Performance Standards on Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples. Acquisition of land will follow all local applicable procedures, including obtaining the correspondent authorizations and licenses. In line with the above, we commit ourselves to the following: [...] Follow the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for undertaking land-related transactions affecting local communities and Indigenous Peoples with customary land rights"
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        15/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          6/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            3/3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            3/3
            2018 - "1,002 pre-financed suppliers screened in the amazon and cerrado biomes, covering 955,000 hectares of soy farms."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Yes
            3/3
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Yes
            3/3
            " In 2019, we [COFCO International] achieved 100% soy traceability to farm for all direct sourcing in 25 priority municipalities in Brazil’s Cerrado, and by 2023, we aim to achieve full traceability to farm for all directly sourced Brazilian soybean. "
            Open source document
        • 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
          Yes
          2/2
          Deforestation cut off date
          Yes
          2/2
          Cut-off date: 2008
          "Respect High Conservation Value (HCV) areas mapping: soybeans supplied shall be sourced from land that has not been converted from HCV areas to other categories of land-use, applying the following cut-off dates (except if provided for otherwise under national legislation and duly authorized by the competent authority): - In the Amazon Biome, suppliers will respect the existing Soy Moratorium and not source from areas cleared of natural habitat after July 2008. - Suppliers will respect the cut-off dates for land conversion as defined under national legislation"
          Open source document
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          What initiatives does the company participate in?: AgroIdeal, PCI

          What is the nature of that participation?: Attending & contributing to meetings; Providing support/advice/experience/expertise
          "We contribute to the development of AgroIdeal, an innovative tool used to map and facilitate sustainable soy production expansion in South America." [...] "in Mato Grosso state, we are working with public and private stakeholders under the state’s Produce, Conserve and Include (PCI) strategy, with the objective to support and incentivise sustainable agricultural production."
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, focused on social issues, focused on environmental issues, etc.)?: hotline and webform

          Details of the mechanism: Social; Environmental
          "Reporting misconduct COFCO International will seek collaboration with our suppliers and other stakeholders to assist the implementation of this Code. We encourage stakeholders to report potential non-compliances via COFCO International Integrity Hotline (cofcointernational.ethicspoint.com)." [....] "COFCO International is a Company with strong values of Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Sustainability. Our Code of Conduct contains general obligations and responsibilities for conducting business with the highest standards of ethics" "This global Integrity hotline procedure (this “Procedure”) applies to all Employees and subsidiaries of CIL, and to any third-party with an interest, issue or concern with CIL or its operations (hereinafter “Stakeholders”). This includes, without limitation, agents, suppliers, customers, and neighbours of the Company or its facilities."
          Open source document
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
        • Upstream: Impact assessments for land development/acquisition
          No
          0/4
        • Upstream: Reporting production/processing locations
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Upstream: Monitor compliance of production/processing
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes for its suppliers only
          3/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes for its suppliers only
          3/4
          Details of monitoring: Using internal monitoring and verification systems; Using third party verification

          How frequently is compliance assessed?: not specified
          "Understanding and mitigating supply chain risks Traceability is the starting point for supply chain risk management. In 2019, we enhanced our internal systems to collect, validate and manage key information relating to suppliers’ individual farms. External audit reassured our progress and we are confident to reach full traceability to farm for directly sourced Brazil soy by 2023. In 2019, we continued to verify supplier compliance with our policy through comprehensive satellite mapping of all pre-financed farms and farms located in high-risk regions across Brazil, overlaying parcels of land with known information on social, environmental and deforestation risks."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Blacklist non-compliant suppliers without engagement
          1/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Blacklist non-compliant suppliers without engagement
          1/2


          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
          "We will develop clear procedures to assess suppliers’ performance against this Policy. We reserve the right to disengage from suppliers based on their performance against this Policy. We will report policy implementation progress in our annual sustainability reports, among other channels."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Pulp & Paper *
      10/84
      • Commitment Strength
        0/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          0/12
          • Commitment details
            No commitment
            0/8
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1.3
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          0/8
          • Commitment details
            No
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1.3
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/8
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1.3
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
      • Social Considerations
        6/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          In COFCO International's Supplier Code of Conduct, it states that suppliers must "Human and labour rights - Protect the human rights of its employees as set out in the International Labour Organization's eight Core Conventions, and treat them with dignity and respect; Grant employees the right to freely associate, organize and bargain collectively in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; Only employ workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement and not tolerate any form of child labour; Not tolerate slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking; Not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment; and Provide employees pay, including minimum salary, overtime payment, work hours and conditions in compliance with applicable laws and regulations"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/4
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          "COFCO International Ltd. adheres to the responsible governance of land tenure. We respect legal and customary land rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples throughout our business activities. We are committed to international human rights standards on the rights to land and natural resources, as well as the IFC Performance Standards on Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples. Acquisition of land will follow all local applicable procedures, including obtaining the correspondent authorizations and licenses. In line with the above, we commit ourselves to the following: [...] Follow the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for undertaking land-related transactions affecting local communities and Indigenous Peoples with customary land rights"
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        4/38
        • 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
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, focused on social issues, focused on environmental issues, etc.)?: hotline and webform

          Details of the mechanism: Social; Environmental
          "Reporting misconduct COFCO International will seek collaboration with our suppliers and other stakeholders to assist the implementation of this Code. We encourage stakeholders to report potential non-compliances via COFCO International Integrity Hotline (cofcointernational.ethicspoint.com)." [....] "COFCO International is a Company with strong values of Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Sustainability. Our Code of Conduct contains general obligations and responsibilities for conducting business with the highest standards of ethics" "This global Integrity hotline procedure (this “Procedure”) applies to all Employees and subsidiaries of CIL, and to any third-party with an interest, issue or concern with CIL or its operations (hereinafter “Stakeholders”). This includes, without limitation, agents, suppliers, customers, and neighbours of the Company or its facilities."
          Open source document
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Timber *
      10/84
      • Commitment Strength
        0/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          0/17
          • Commitment details
            No commitment
            0/10.7
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/1
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/1
      • Social Considerations
        6/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          In COFCO International's Supplier Code of Conduct, it states that suppliers must "Human and labour rights - Protect the human rights of its employees as set out in the International Labour Organization's eight Core Conventions, and treat them with dignity and respect; Grant employees the right to freely associate, organize and bargain collectively in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; Only employ workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement and not tolerate any form of child labour; Not tolerate slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking; Not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment; and Provide employees pay, including minimum salary, overtime payment, work hours and conditions in compliance with applicable laws and regulations"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/4
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          "COFCO International Ltd. adheres to the responsible governance of land tenure. We respect legal and customary land rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples throughout our business activities. We are committed to international human rights standards on the rights to land and natural resources, as well as the IFC Performance Standards on Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples. Acquisition of land will follow all local applicable procedures, including obtaining the correspondent authorizations and licenses. In line with the above, we commit ourselves to the following: [...] Follow the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for undertaking land-related transactions affecting local communities and Indigenous Peoples with customary land rights"
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        4/38
        • 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
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of the mechanism: Social; Environmental

          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, focused on social issues, focused on environmental issues, etc.)?: hotline and webform
          "Reporting misconduct COFCO International will seek collaboration with our suppliers and other stakeholders to assist the implementation of this Code. We encourage stakeholders to report potential non-compliances via COFCO International Integrity Hotline (cofcointernational.ethicspoint.com)." [....] "COFCO International is a Company with strong values of Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Sustainability. Our Code of Conduct contains general obligations and responsibilities for conducting business with the highest standards of ethics" "This global Integrity hotline procedure (this “Procedure”) applies to all Employees and subsidiaries of CIL, and to any third-party with an interest, issue or concern with CIL or its operations (hereinafter “Stakeholders”). This includes, without limitation, agents, suppliers, customers, and neighbours of the Company or its facilities."
          Open source document
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2

    • * commodity scores for which a company is not a powerbroker are given half the weighting of other commodities in total scores

  • Commitment strength
    13/28
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    12/38
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    8/18
    Avg. score

Profile

COFCO is a leading agribusiness company in China producing, processing, manufacturing and trading in agricultural products and foodstuffs. It is one of the major players in the Chinese soy industry with two prominent Chinese subsidiaries. There are further processing facilities in Argentina and Brazil. The company is also a major exporter of soy from Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. COFCO’s animal feed production is among the largest globally. Another subsidiary has one of the largest forestry concessions in Gabon. The extent of its commodity trading and its food production also exposes the company to palm oil. COFCO is selected as a powerbroker for palm oil, soy and paper packaging and is also assessed for its exposure to timber.

Sector
Industry sector 
Agri commodities, Forestry, Packaged food
Segments
Producer, Trader, Processor, Manufacturer
HQ
HQ 
China
Company Type
Company type 
State owned
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

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.