Sodexo Singapore will source 100% physical certified sustainable palm oil for its cooking oil by 2017

Recognising the urgency to take positive actions to counter the transboundary haze in the region, Sodexo Singapore will source 100% physical certified sustainable palm oil for its cooking oil.

Sodexo Singapore, the local arm of Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services, has announced its commitment to source 100% physical certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) for its cooking oil by 2017.

Worldwide, Sodexo has been sourcing 100% CSPO through a combination of physical certified sustainable palm oil and the purchase of GreenPalm certificates since 2012, and continually seeks to improve its sourcing by increasing the use of physical CSPO in place of certificates.

The slash and burn practice in palm production is a contributor to the transboundary haze pollution that has plagued Southeast Asian countries over the last few decades. By supporting the development of a sustainable palm oil industry, Sodexo hopes to promote the elimination of unsustainable palm-related deforestation.

Aurélien SONET, Asia Pacific Region Chair & Singapore Country President, said:
Sodexo is committed to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable business practices. By engaging our partners, we have been able to contribute meaningfully to improving the palm oil value chain, ultimately enhancing the Quality of Life of all our consumers, who are increasingly concerned about sustainability. We believe that our commitment to sustainable palm oil will complement ongoing efforts by the civil society and encourage our peers, within our industry and across other industries, to take progressive action.

Sodexo Singapore’s switch to physical certified sustainable palm oil is commencing in November 2016, and is expected to be completed by 2017. Physical CSPO provides an additional level of assurance to consumers, as it implies that the palm oil is certified sustainable through a physical supply chain.

Over the last few years, Sodexo has made significant progress on palm oil. Sodexo joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a non-governmental organisation that develops and implements global standards for sustainable palm oil, in 2011.

Sodexo has also received a top ranking of nine out of nine from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in its 2016 Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard, a ranking that assesses the progress of companies on their commitments and actions necessary to be responsible users of palm oil.

Roshith RAJAN, Corporate Responsibility Lead, Asia Pacific, said:
A rich and resourceful planet is indispensable to Quality of Life in the long term and this is why Sodexo is committed on the palm oil topic. Since 2014, we have worked closely with our suppliers to make the switch to physical CSPO possible. Any additional costs related to this transition will be fully borne by Sodexo, with no extra cost to the consumers or our clients. This is another big step forward in our effort to provide sustainable choices to our consumers.as a responsible company.

In recognition of its worldwide commitment to sustainability, Sodexo has recently been named the top consumer services company on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the 12th year in a row, reinforcing its position as an industry leader.