Although all of Ferrero's original products source their palm oil sustainability, its recently acquired companies have yet to meet 100% RSPO Certification – and the company is working to ensure that these companies procure sustainable palm oil, it said.
Following a trial in 2016, from October 2020 Ferrero has started using the Starling satellite monitoring and verification service across its palm oil supply chain (approximately one million hectares).
Operated by Earthworm Foundation and Airbus, Starling uses a combination of satellite imagery and on-the-ground expertise to monitor land cover change and forest cover disturbance in near real time. By providing data that shows where potential deforestation occurs, Starling enables Ferrero to identify grievances in its supply chain and drive positive change on the ground.
“We are confident that this verification tool will strengthen our efforts to secure a sustainable palm oil supply chain,” it said.
Ferrero's other measures to combat deforestation include a pilot project with the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) that aims to advance Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biodiversity conservation practices at the farm level for palm oil producers.
The confectionery giant is also a member of the European Palm Oil Alliance and the Palm Oil Innovation Group, both of which are involved in setting standards for manufacturers in relation to sourcing palm oil sustainably.
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