The J.M. Smucker Co. – Roshan Khan – 2024
SummaryRosie Khan researched and made recommendations on a No Deforestation roadmap covering implementation and reporting guidance for Smucker on five commodities: cocoa, palm oil, sugar, coffee, and soy.GoalsThe J. M. Smucker Company (JMS) has set emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). As a company with land use and agricultural commodities in the value chain, Smucker is also expected to use the Forestry, Land Use, and Agriculture (FLAG) framework within SBTi. Needing more information on what must be necessary to set and achieve a FLAG commitment, JMS proposed a project to create a zero-deforestation roadmap for commodities of concern to the EDF Climate Corps program.SolutionsRosie approached the challenge using a four-part process:
1. Gather internal data on commodities’ scale, suppliers, sourcing regions, and active no-deforestation-adjacent efforts.
2. Research guidance from SBTi’s Forest, Land, Agriculture (FLAG) guidelines, including the Accountability Framework, and identify and compare the definitions and traceability strength from third-party platforms such as RSPO (Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil), RTRS (Roundtable on Responsible Soy), Bonsucro, Enveritas, and Cocoa & Forests Initiative.
3. Establish a risk methodology, conduct interviews with industry experts, and perform peer benchmarking based on deforestation scorecards and primary policy documents.
4. Develop recommendations based on current priorities and capabilities for JMS with expected costs, a roadmap, and timeline.Potential ImpactCombining third-party verification/certification, potential remote monitoring, and internal transparency and procurement strategy, JMS has a potential pathway toward deforestation-free sourcing, with different efforts required by commodity. The research insights will remain with the company and help guide both near and long-term efforts. As a result, JMS has an opportunity to make continued progress in its sustainability performance, make strides toward being FLAG compliant, and regardless of external frameworks, continue to improve responsible sourcing and no-deforestation practices.
