NETHERLANDS – Louis Dreyfus Co. (LDC) has published its 2018 Sustainability report highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices and the depth of partner engagement across its operations.
As part of the efforts to set a data-driven benchmark, create a more energy-efficient fleet and optimize vessel operations, LDC has reported the full carbon profile of its freight activities for the first time, aiming to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
Data released by the company showed a 5% year-on-year decrease in overall emissions from its freight activities.
Although the company did not fully reach its ambitious environmental targets, it made several achievements across its business even as it remains committed to meet its 2022 goals.
This included energy and electricity consumption reductions in Brazil, solar power investments in Brazil and Kenya, recycling solid waste in Indonesia and improved wastewater management in the US.
“I am pleased with the progress we are making and the outcomes we are achieving,” said Ian McIntosh, LDC’s Group CEO.
“By integrating our long-standing sustainability efforts with the company’s purpose of fair and sustainable value creation, we continue to break new ground and build positive momentum across the agricultural supply chain.”
Transparent and traceable supply chains
The company published its Soy Sustainability Policy in June 2018 in a move described by The Nature Conservancy as ‘the first by a major trader towards a zero-conversion approach.’
The policy consolidates LDC’s existing actions and commitments, including as one of the founding signatories of the 2006 Soy Moratorium in Brazil.
It sets out its intent regarding environmental impact, human rights, worker practices, and anti-bribery and corruption, in relation to soy production.
Earlier this year, the company alongside Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Bunge and Cargill became one of the founding members of Soft Commodities Forum (SCF) convened by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
The members committed to a common framework for reporting and monitoring progress on transparent and traceable supply chains for soy in Brazil’s Cerrado region.
To increase farmer profitability and incomes, LDC trained small holder coffee farmers in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
For its Brazil based juice business, the company said it hit its target of 80% Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM farms (29 out of 38), with 100% certification expected in 2019.
“We are convinced that only by working together to find shared solutions to common global issues can we create a future that is sustainable and fair for all. “Partnership among the myriad actors – governments, civil society, intermediaries, transporters, farmers, etc. – is the only path forward,” added Ian McIntosh.
