Sustainability report

Increasing demand for certified sustainable palm solutions Our customers are at the heart of what we do at AAK. It is therefore essential that we maintain a solid understanding of the complete supply chain, from our suppliers through to our customers – and subsequently their customers. With this level of insight, and by working in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, we are able to provide a trusted source of sustainable palm oil, including RSPO-certified palm oil. Creating standards for sustainability At AAK, we aim to make sustainable palm oil the industry norm by understanding sustainability policies, public commitments, supply chain timescales, and how to best educate businesses in the right course of action if they have not yet developed adequate policies or strategies. AAK’s direct relationships with retailers’ sustain- ability teams play a key role in delivering on this approach. Working together, AAK has helped many retailers achieve RSPO-certified palm oil and we are continuously supporting their move towards segregated palm oil. Educating customers to work with sustainable oils During 2020, we created a series of events at our customers’ production sites to help them understand how they are working with sustainable oils, in particular palm oil, and in which areas they could improve. The events took place in a room set up as an exhibi- tion. The benefit with this approach was that cus- tomers could visit at their convenience and send staff who would not normally be involved to get a better understanding about sustainable solutions and best practices. Going forward, AAK plans to continue this initiative virtually whilst current Covid-19 restrictions are in place. “We often forget that we are all consumers,” said Kaly Chatakondu, Commercial Director, AAK UK & Ireland. “If a business takes pride in using sus- tainable palm oil, it will talk about it and promote why we all should seek out certified or sustainable palm.” Gaining global momentum Initiatives across Europe, Asia, and the US have now been taken to make sustainable palm oil the norm. AAK is involved in many of them and we have, in some cases, been present at project conceptions. Some of these are funded by the industry, others by local governments. In the UK alone, AAK has worked with the UK Round- table on Sourcing of Sustainable Palm Oil since 2012. We support the group with information for their annual progress report and by taking part in biannual meetings chaired by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Develop- ment Office (FCDO) of the UK Government. At these meetings, AAK and other key members are asked to give updates on progess and any barriers to change. AAK also works within a subgroup focused on com- munication for sustainable palm oil. This group aims to develop tools that help to educate businesses, communities, schools, and universities. AAK Sustainability Report 2020 Better Solutions | 53 Contributes to: