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  • Overall approach
    10/14
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      2/6
      Deforestation commitment
      Zero net deforestation
      2.00/6
      General Mills Inc. have stated "our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020". 
      Open source document
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      General Mills Inc. is signatory to the New York Declaration on Forests and UN Global Compact. 
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      "Healthy forests play a critical role in storing carbon". 
      Open source document
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      3/3
      LUC emissions target
      Yes
      3/3
      "General Mills has assessed that 92 percent of the GHG emissions associated with our value chain can be considered Scope 3 - occurring in entities not owned or controlled by the company.  Nearly 2/3 of the GHG emissions and 99 percent of water use throughout our value chain occur upstream of our direct operations in agriculture, ingredients and packaging.  This is where we can achieve the greatest reduction in our environmental footprint while ensuring the long term availability of ingredients.  For this reason, we have committed to sustainably sourcing our 10 priority ingredients by 2020, representing 50 percent of our total buy".  General Mills Inc. has also stated "Only 10 percent of our greenhouse gas footprint is from our own operations, so we’ve set a goal to look beyond our walls and reduce absolute GHG emissions across our full value chain by 28 percent by 2025 (compared to 2010)". 
      Open source document Open source document
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      3/3
      Report LUC emissions
      Yes
      3/3
      Data is calculated using "the location-based method".
      General Mills report a total of 7,380,000 tonnes CO2e emitted from agriculture and transformation activities in 2018.
      Open source document
  • Commodity score
    52/86
    • Palm oil
      69/86
      • Commitment Strength
        30/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          13/15
          • Commitment details
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Certification schemes mentioned: RSPO
            Type of commitment: Zero deforestation
            "In 2010, we made a commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources[...]Our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "In 2010, we made a commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources[...]Our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes". 
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "In 2010, we made a commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources[...]Our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes". 
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "In 2010, we made a commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources[...]Our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes". 
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "In 2010, we made a commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources[...]Our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes". 
          • Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            "In 2010, we made a commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources[...]Our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes". 
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "In 2010, we made a commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources[...]Our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes". 
        • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
          11/11
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: HCS; Peat
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          7/11
          • 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
            In 2018 "99 percent of our palm oil volume was categorized as traceable to the extraction mill."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            In 2018 "99 percent of our palm oil volume was categorized as traceable to the extraction mill."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            In 2018 "99 percent of our palm oil volume was categorized as traceable to the extraction mill."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            In 2018 "99 percent of our palm oil volume was categorized as traceable to the extraction mill."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            In 2018 "99 percent of our palm oil volume was categorized as traceable to the extraction mill."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
      • Reporting and Implementation
        23/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          4/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            General Mills Inc. have stated "our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes. We have continued to maintain that performance year on year, including a purchasing shift toward mass balance and segregated oil and away from certificates. Mass balance and segregated accounted for 98 percent of our 2018 purchases, and 99 percent of our palm oil volume was categorized as traceable to the extraction mill". 
            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
            General Mills Inc. have stated "we will source palm oil only from suppliers whose operations meet the following principles[...]No development on high conservation value landscapes or high carbon stock (HCS) forests. While the HCS methodology is being refined by field testing and science review, new plantings should only be established in low carbon stock areas. No development on peat lands regardless of depth, and use of best management practices for existing plantations on peat". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          3/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            certification
            General Mills Inc. have stated "our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes. We have continued to maintain that performance year on year, including a purchasing shift toward mass balance and segregated oil and away from certificates. Mass balance and segregated accounted for 98 percent of our 2018 purchases, and 99 percent of our palm oil volume was categorized as traceable to the extraction mill". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            certification
            General Mills Inc. have stated "our commitment to source 100% of our palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources was achieved in 2015 through the purchase of RSPO certified volumes.
            Open source document
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          "First-tier suppliers: During fiscal 2017, [General Mills] worked with Bureau Veritas (BV) to expand and elevate our responsible sourcing program in our first-tier supplier base…We also assessed suppliers that provide raw materials or ingredients covered by our sustainable sourcing goals."
          Open source document
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/4
          Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/4
          "In cases where there is verified non-compliance with our policy, or where there is continued failure to remediate verified non-compliances in a timely manner, we take steps to remove those producers from our supply chain."
          Open source document
        • Publishing supplier lists
          Discloses both supplier list and detailed sourcing regions
          4/4
          Publishing supplier lists
          Discloses both supplier list and detailed sourcing regions
          4/4
          General Mills provide a publicly accessible, detailed global supplier mill list.
          Open source document
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Social
          General Mills Inc. Supplier Code of Conduct contains a grievance mechanism "To report a concern, talk to your General Mills representative or contact the General Mills Ethics Line at generalmillsethics.ethicspoint.com. US, Canada, Puerto Rico phone number: 1-800-210-2878. Reporters may choose to be anonymous". 
          Open source document
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          Full
          4/4
          Report volumes of commodity
          Full
          4/4
          78,978.00 tonnes
          General Mills report their annual palm oil and palm oil product usage in their 2018 RSPO ACOP.
          Open source document
      • Social Considerations
        16/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "General Mills require their suppliers to recognize the importance of land rights as well as the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)." 
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          "General Mills state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the ILO. 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
          Equality and Inclusion of women in the supply chain
          4/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Equality and Inclusion of women in the supply chain
          4/4
          "For more than 20 years, General Mills has been dedicated to establishing and growing successful business relationships with minority- and women-owned businesses, which provide important raw materials for our products as well as logistics, marketing and consulting services, among other things."
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          In their climate policy, General Mills Inc state "we have committed to sustainably sourcing our 10 priority ingredients by 2020, representing 50 percent of our total buy.  This includes sustainable agriculture investments to improve the livelihoods and climate resilience of smallholder farmers who are less prepared to adapt to climate-related risks". 
          Open source document
    • Soy
      42/86
      • Commitment Strength
        18/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          18/21
          • Commitment details
            Forest-related commitment
            8/10.7
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Forest-related commitment
            8/10.7
            Type of commitment: Zero net deforestation
            General Mills Inc. "Our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020.  Supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation include palm oil, packaging fiber, beef, soy and sugarcane". 
            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
            General Mills Inc. "Our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020.  Supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation include palm oil, packaging fiber, beef, soy and sugarcane". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            General Mills Inc. "Our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020.  Supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation include palm oil, packaging fiber, beef, soy and sugarcane". 
            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
            General Mills Inc. "Our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020.  Supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation include palm oil, packaging fiber, beef, soy and sugarcane". 
            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
            General Mills Inc. "Our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020.  Supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation include palm oil, packaging fiber, beef, soy and sugarcane". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2020
            1.8/2
            Target date
            2020
            1.8/2
            General Mills Inc. "Our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020.  Supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation include palm oil, packaging fiber, beef, soy and sugarcane". 
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            2/2
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            2/2
            General Mills Inc. "Our aim is to achieve zero net deforestation in high-risk supply chains by 2020.  Supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation include palm oil, packaging fiber, beef, soy and sugarcane". 
            Open source document
        • 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
        8/34
        • 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
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          "First-tier suppliers: During fiscal 2017, [General Mills] worked with Bureau Veritas (BV) to expand and elevate our responsible sourcing program in our first-tier supplier base…We also assessed suppliers that provide raw materials or ingredients covered by our sustainable sourcing goals."
          Open source document
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/4
          Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/4
          "[General Mills] require corrective action plans and resolution for any identified non-compliances."
          Open source document
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Social
          General Mills Inc. Supplier Code of Conduct contains a grievance mechanism "To report a concern, talk to your General Mills representative or contact the General Mills Ethics Line at generalmillsethics.ethicspoint.com. US, Canada, Puerto Rico phone number: 1-800-210-2878. Reporters may choose to be anonymous". 
          Open source document
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
      • Social Considerations
        16/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "General Mills require their suppliers to recognize the importance of land rights as well as the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)."
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          "General Mills state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the ILO. 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
          Equality and Inclusion of women in the supply chain
          4/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Equality and Inclusion of women in the supply chain
          4/4
          "For more than 20 years, General Mills has been dedicated to establishing and growing successful business relationships with minority- and women-owned businesses, which provide important raw materials for our products as well as logistics, marketing and consulting services, among other things."
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          In their climate policy, General Mills Inc state "we have committed to sustainably sourcing our 10 priority ingredients by 2020, representing 50 percent of our total buy.  This includes sustainable agriculture investments to improve the livelihoods and climate resilience of smallholder farmers who are less prepared to adapt to climate-related risks". 
          Open source document
    • Pulp & Paper
      47/86
      • Commitment Strength
        21/36
        • 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: Zero deforestation
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
          • Target date
            2020
            1.2/1.3
            Target date
            2020
            1.2/1.3
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          8/11
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: Recycled content
            General Mills Inc. have stated that in order to achieve "Wood fiber optimization" they will use "recycled content[...]recycled forest materials should be optimized". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated that in order to achieve "Wood fiber optimization" they will use "recycled content[...]recycled forest materials should be optimized". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated that in order to achieve "Wood fiber optimization" they will use "recycled content[...]recycled forest materials should be optimized". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated that in order to achieve "Wood fiber optimization" they will use "recycled content[...]recycled forest materials should be optimized". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            General Mills Inc. have stated that in order to achieve "Wood fiber optimization" they will use "recycled content[...]recycled forest materials should be optimized". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
            Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
            General Mills Inc. have stated that in order to achieve "Wood fiber optimization" they will use "recycled content[...]recycled forest materials should be optimized". 
            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 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
      • Reporting and Implementation
        10/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          2/6
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            "General Mills will source 100 percent of our fiber packaging by 2020 from recycledmaterial or from virgin wood fiber regions that are known to not be contributing to deforestation." In 2019, General Mills reported that over 99% of their fiber packaging purchased was sustainably sourced.
            Open source document Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            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
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          With regards to Virgin wood fiber sourcing, General Mills Inc. have stated that "risk assessments should be done to assure low risk of controversial sources contributing to deforestation in the supply chain.When identified, measures should be taken to work with suppliers to eliminate controversial sources of virgin fiber.
          Open source document
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/4
          Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/4
          With regards to Virgin wood fiber sourcing, General Mills Inc. have stated that "risk assessments should be done to assure low risk of controversial sources contributing to deforestation in the supply chain.When identified, measures should be taken to work with suppliers to eliminate controversial sources of virgin fiber.
          Open source document
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Social
          General Mills Inc. Supplier Code of Conduct contains a grievance mechanism "To report a concern, talk to your General Mills representative or contact the General Mills Ethics Line at generalmillsethics.ethicspoint.com. US, Canada, Puerto Rico phone number: 1-800-210-2878. Reporters may choose to be anonymous". 
          Open source document
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
      • Social Considerations
        16/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "General Mills require their suppliers to recognize the importance of land rights as well as the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)."
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          "General Mills state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the ILO. 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
          Equality and Inclusion of women in the supply chain
          4/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Equality and Inclusion of women in the supply chain
          4/4
          "For more than 20 years, General Mills has been dedicated to establishing and growing successful business relationships with minority- and women-owned businesses, which provide important raw materials for our products as well as logistics, marketing and consulting services, among other things."
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          In their climate policy, General Mills Inc state "we have committed to sustainably sourcing our 10 priority ingredients by 2020, representing 50 percent of our total buy.  This includes sustainable agriculture investments to improve the livelihoods and climate resilience of smallholder farmers who are less prepared to adapt to climate-related risks".
          Open source document
  • Commitment strength
    23/36
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    14/34
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    16/16
    Avg. score

Profile

General Mills is an American company that manufactures and distributes baking products, ready meals, ice cream, cereals, snacks, soup, and yoghurt among other products.  With sales in six continents they offer over 100 brands, including Yoplait, Betty Crocker, and Cheerios. In 2015 the company reported it used 67,724 tonnes of palm oil.  

Sector
Industry sector 
Packaged food
Segments
Manufacturer
HQ
HQ 
United States
Company Type
Company type 
Public listed
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Gold Medal, Immaculate Baking, Jus-Rol, Knack & Back, Pillsbury, Yoki, Cascadian Farms, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fiber One, Kix, Lucky Charms, Monsters, Total, Trix, Wheaties, Haagen-Dazs, Annie's, Green Giant, helper, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Mountain High, Muir Glen, Annie's, Latina, Nature Valley, Epic, Fruit Snacks, Yoplait

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.