Since 2009, WWF has regularly checked in with major brands and retailers regarding their performance on sustainable palm oil.
The 2024 Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard, covering 285 companies, reveals a sobering truth: palm oil buyers are yet to step up to the challenge, leaving the fate of our planet hanging in the balance. The Scorecard is our wake-up call, emphasising the need for bold, transformative measures for a sustainable future.
There are highlights – with some retailers such as Lidl, Coop, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer scoring well, and household names such as Ferrero, Danone and Mars also demonstrating robust action. Unfortunately, others have a long road ahead as WWF concludes that “Palm oil buyers continue to fall short of implementing the necessary transformative actions needed to halt the destruction of the world's most crucial forests and natural ecosystems. Despite efforts, companies are only averaging a score of 14.7 points out of 24. This score underscores the significant distance that remains for these companies to demonstrate a genuine commitment to establishing palm oil supply chains that are devoid of deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuses.”
See the full scorecard and analysis here: https://palmoilscorecard.panda.org/
Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd (‘APRIL’) is a leading global supplier of bio-based fibre products. Headquartered in Jakarta, APRIL operates forestry plantations and manufacturing operations in Sumatra, Indonesia offering a diverse portfolio of bio-based products, including pulp, paper, viscose staple fibre (VSF), and paperboard. We facilitated the Group’s 2023 sustainability report.
U Mobile Sdn Bhd is Malaysia’s youngest telecommunications provider that has grown from strength to strength due to their range of innovative and affordable products and services, as well as commitment to a quality network experience. Helikonia facilitated U Mobile’s first materiality assessment, carbon baseline assessment, inaugural sustainability report and the development of their sustainability roadmap.
The Pacific Inter-Link Sdn Bhd (PIL) Group is engaged in multiple activities across the palm oil value chain including manufacturing, refining, trading, tank terminals, packing, marketing consumer products, and shipping services. With operations in Malaysia and Indonesia, PIL Group’s six entities supply palm products and consumer goods to more than 70 countries. We have worked with PIL since 2021, providing advisory services and facilitation of PIL’s sustainability reports.
Founded in 1996, Keresa Plantations Sdn Bhd (Keresa) is a privately owned palm oil cultivation and milling company headquartered in Bintulu, Sarawak and is a subsidiary of the Limar Group of Companies. Helikonia facilitated the development and production of Keresa’s inaugural sustainability report published in 2024.
Genetec Technology Berhad operates assembly and fabrication facilities in Malaysia, providing assembly and automation solutions for factories in the energy storage, electronic mobility/automotive, renewable energy, hard disk drives, consumer goods, and healthcare sectors. Helikonia is facilitating Genetec with their first two sustainability statements as part of their annual reports, including development of a sustainability roadmap development, carbon baseline assessment and stakeholder engagement.
Whinnie joined Helikonia in 2024 as an ESG Analyst to support the team with data coordination and ESG assessments. Prior to this she was an assistant environmental consultant at Allied Environmental Consultants (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd where she was responsible for analysing and assessing environmental impacts, developing environmental reports, supporting carbon assessments, and engagement with stakeholders. She also worked with Environmental eAsia Sdn Bhd in a similar capacity for environmental assessment projects in Malaysia. Whinnie holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
ZSL (The Zoological Society of London) manages SPOTT, an annual series that scores palm oil, tropical forestry, and natural rubber companies against over 100 sector-specific ESG indicators. By rating ESG disclosure quality, companies are incentivised to improve reporting and can use the platform to track their annual progress and benchmark against peers in their sector. Helikonia assisted in the scoring of several timber, pulp, and palm oil companies for the 2023 assessments.
PalmElit is a research and sales organisation responsible for the marketing and improvement of CIRAD seeds. The company is headquartered in Paris, France and is jointly owned by CIRAD and Sofiprotéol. We first worked with PalmElit in 2011 to provide advisory services on their sustainability strategies including development of their first sustainability Charter. In 2022, we supported PalmElit with a revision of the Charter and an accompanying strategic roadmap.
Headquartered in Jakarta, KPN Plantations (Karunia Prima Nastari Plantations, previously Gama Plantation) is a subsidiary of KPN CORP and a privately-owned palm oil cultivation and milling company with operations in Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Sulawesi, and Papua. Helikonia facilitated the development and production of KPN Plantations’ inaugural, bilingual sustainability report in 2022.
Jaymi joined Helikonia in December 2022 as a Project Coordinator under the reporting team. Prior to this she was with the Southeast Asia Science Advice Network (SEA SAN) by the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA), a New Zealand-based NGO and was responsible for the network operations strategy including workplan development, event and budget management, writing and reporting, as well as engagement with various stakeholders from national scientific academies, government ministries and agencies/think tanks. Prior to this, she worked with Atri Advisory Kuala Lumpur, a sustainable development consultancy on projects such as the review of the Malaysian Biosafety Act 2007.
Jaymi holds a Master’s degree in Life Sciences and Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology. She has experience in scientific research and academia, and has published academic articles based on her research on human genes in a group of rare blood diseases. She also co-wrote an article on “Asean’s carbon offset opportunity” for the local New Straits Times.
Mai joined Helikonia in 2019 to support the initial peer review and quality assurance work of the High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA) Steering Group. In 2020, when the HCSA organisation was formally established, Mai took on the role of Quality Assurance Admin Officer, before she returned to Helikonia as a Project Coordinator. She currently supports the project team with data management and analysis. Mai started her career as a trainee with Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, and subsequently worked as a Project Coordinator for the Global Environment Centre. Mai holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Agricultural & Biosystems) from Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) is the world’s largest producer of certified sustainable palm oil with presence in over 100 countries. Listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, SDP is engaged in the full spectrum of the palm oil value chain: upstream plantations, downstream operations, research and development, and renewables in the agribusiness sector. We facilitated SDP’s third sustainability report in 2022.
The Pacific Inter-Link Sdn Bhd (PIL) Group is engaged in multiple activities across the palm oil value chain including manufacturing, refining, trading, tank terminals, packing, marketing consumer products, and shipping services. With operations in Malaysia and Indonesia, PIL Group’s six entities supply palm products and consumer goods to more than 70 countries. Helikonia facilitated PIL Group with their inaugural sustainability report. This included a materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement and improving ESG disclosure for the annual ZSL Sustainable Palm Oil Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT) palm oil assessment.
Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) is a leading integrated viscose rayon producer based in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau, and is part of the RGE (Royal Golden Eagle) group of resource-based manufacturing companies. We have facilitated APR in developing their annual sustainability reports since 2020.
Shiyamala joined Helikonia in 2020 as a Project Manager in the reporting team. Her role involves providing support to the Head of Reporting in sustainability reporting and advisory projects while also coordinating and managing other projects. Prior to this she was with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), an environmental NGO that promotes responsible environmental stewardship through habitat conservation and environmental education. In her roles as an Environmental Education Officer then Membership Manager, Shiyamala developed and conducted youth engagement programmes, managed membership-related matters and coordinated communications for the organisation. Shiyamala graduated from University Malaysia Kelantan, Faculty of Earth Sciences with a Bachelors of Natural Resources Science (Hons) and is currently enrolled in a Master’s in Business Administration at University Putra Malaysia (UPM).
RSPO is a multi-stakeholder organisation dedicated to the certification and promotion of sustainable palm oil. Our team has been involved in the RSPO since 2004 and undertaken a number of projects for the organisation from 2014 to 2018, including the development of their Impact Reports. In 2011, we facilitated a strategic Executive Board workshop which resulted in the development of a new mission and vision for the organisation
Hap Seng Plantations is a palm oil plantation company with operations in Sabah, East Malaysia. The company is part of the Hap Seng Group, and is listed as a separate entity on the Malaysian stock exchange. We facilitated Hap Seng Plantations to produce of their first sustainability report in 2015, and continue to help review their biennial reports.
First Resources is a vertically integrated producer of crude palm oil and refined palm oil products listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). We assisted the company in producing their sustainability reports from 2015 to 2017.
Wilmar is the world’s largest agri-business and is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. We worked with Wilmar from 2009 to 2019 on their biennial and annual sustainability reports.
RSPO is a multi-stakeholder organisation dedicated to the certification and promotion of sustainable palm oil. Our team has been involved in the RSPO since 2004 and undertaken a number of projects for the organisation from 2014 to 2018, including the development of their Impact Reports. In 2011, we facilitated a strategic Executive Board workshop which resulted in the development of a new mission and vision for the organisation.
PPB Group Berhad (PPB) is an investment holding and property investment company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, the Malaysian stock exchange. The company is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has operations in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore with more than 3,500 full-time employees in the Malaysian operations. In 2016-17, we worked with PPB to develop their first sustainability statement – a process which included workshops with all business divisions across Malaysia, and extensive consultation with the Executive Management and Board of the company. We continue to review their annual sustainability statements and support their sustainability team with additional services as required.
New Britain Palm Oil Ltd is palm oil company with operations in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. NBPOL is fully RSPO certified recognised as a leader in sustainability and disclosure, and remains ranked at the top of the Zoological Society of London’s Sustainable Palm Oil Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT). We have worked with NBPOL since 2008, assisting the company in producing sustainability reports and policies, as well as broader capacity building on communications.
Headquartered in Singapore, Musim Mas Group is a private limited company operating across every link in the palm oil supply chain, from managing plantations to milling, refining and manufacturing sites across Asia-Pacific and Europe. We have facilitated Musim Mas in developing their annual sustainability reports since 2017.
Kulim (Malaysia) Bhd is a fully RSPO certified company operating in peninsular Malaysia. We have worked with Kulim since 2008, providing advisory services and facilitation of Kulim’s sustainability and carbon reports.
Headquartered in Port Klang, Malaysia, Intercontinental Specialty Fats Sdn Bhd (ISF) is a leading palm specialty oils and manufacturer that specialises in producing premium grade specialty fats and oils to cater to the global food industries with a strong focus in chocolate and chocolate confectionery segments. We assisted ISF in developing their inaugural 2019 sustainability report and continue to facilitate their annual sustainability reports.
IJM Corporation Berhad (“IJM”) is a Malaysian conglomerate and is listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, the Malaysian stock exchange. Headquartered in Malaysia, IJM’s core business activities encompass construction, property development, manufacturing and quarrying, infrastructure concessions and plantations. In 2016-17, we worked with IJM to develop their first sustainability statement – a process which included workshops with all business divisions across Malaysia, and extensive consultation with the Executive Management and Board of the company.
Felda Global Ventures (FGV) Holdings Berhad is one of Malaysia’s largest and most diversified agro-based companies with a focus on palm oil, sugar and rubber. FGV has invested in more than 200 companies comprising subsidiaries, joint-ventures and associates where business footprint extends to more than 10 countries across 4 continents such as North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. We assisted FGV in producing their inaugural GRI G4 Sustainability Report launched in 2014. Our Executive Director is a member of FGV’s Independent Advisory Board, which supports the company’s Main Board in oversight of sustainability and governance issues.
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Bumitama is a young crude palm oil and palm kernel producer with oil palm plantations in Indonesia with almost 32,000 employees. We have facilitated Bumitama in developing their biennial sustainability reports since 2014.
Axiata Group Berhad is one of the leading telecommunications groups in Asia with businesses in digital telecommunications, digital businesses and infrastructure, operating in 11 countries across the region. Helikonia facilitated Axiata with their 2021 materiality assessment and stakeholder engagement exercise.
Agropalma is widely recognised as one of the world’s leaders in certified sustainable and responsible palm oil. The company is based in Brazil and operates a vertically integrated and 100% traceable supply chain delivering conventional as well as fair trade and organic palm oil to the food and personal care industries globally. We have facilitated Agropalma in producing their biennial sustainability reports since 2013.
Teoh Cheng Hai has been an independent Director of the company since 2008. He is also a Non-executive Director of Proforest Sdn Bhd and Senior Advisor to Solidaridad Network Asia. He served as the 1st Secretary-General of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in 2004/05 and as Advisor to the RSPO Executive Board in 2005/06. Trained as an agronomist, he has more than 40 years of experience in the plantation industry. Formerly, he was Director, R&D (1989-1995), and Director, Quality and Environment (1995-2000), for Golden Hope Plantations Berhad (now part of Sime Darby Berhad). He was the Honorary Advisor, Plantation Agriculture, for WWF-Malaysia (2000-2004); Sustainability consultant to Musim Mas (2007-2013) and consultant to the International Finance Corporation’s project on smallholder development in Indonesia (2014-2020).
Kok Mun has been an associate with Helikonia since 2012, driving our clients’ carbon disclosure and climate change strategies. He is an expert in environmental management with over 25 years’ experience in oil palm sector, biomass utilisation and R&D commercialisation as well as greenhouse gases calculation and life cycle assessment. He holds a degree in chemical engineering and MBA from University of Malaya.
Kuan Lih joined Helikonia as a Finance Manager in 2018. He is responsible for the company’s book-keeping, budgets and cash flow control. Prior to joining the company, he was in charge of finance matters at Applecrumby & Fish, a start-up e-commerce platform for essential baby products. Kuan Lih holds a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (majoring in accounting and finance) from Monash University, Malaysia. He is also a Certified Practising Accountant as a member of CPA, Australia.
Rajesh joined Helikonia in 2016. Prior to joining Helikonia he worked with UTi worldwide as a procurement specialist coordinating all office functions. He also has experience in e-commerce industry, administrative and human resources. He is currently responsible for providing office administrative and support services to the team, as well as organising other special events and training. Rajesh has a Diploma in Business Studies.
Shiyamala joined Helikonia in 2020 as a Project Manager as part of the reporting team, and supports our clients on stakeholder engagement, ESG reporting and sustainability communications. She is also an HRDC certified trainer.
Prior to this she was with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), an environmental NGO that promotes responsible environmental stewardship through habitat conservation and environmental education. In her roles as an Environmental Education Officer then Membership Manager, Shiyamala developed and conducted youth engagement programmes, managed membership-related matters and coordinated communications for the organisation. Shiyamala graduated from University Malaysia Kelantan, Faculty of Earth Sciences with a Bachelors of Natural Resources Science (Hons) and holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in Corporate Governance from Putra Business School (PBS).
Jason is a Senior Manager supporting clients in developing robust ESG data frameworks and compliance with global and regulatory sustainability disclosure standards. He joined Helikonia in 2019, and leads projects for major listed and private companies across a wide array of sectors.
Prior to joining the company, Jason was with Cypark Resources Berhad, Malaysia’s largest publicly listed company focusing on renewable energy and waste management projects. He was involved in developing an integrated palm oil mill waste management solution that produces alternative biomass solid fuels to displace fossil fuel consumption, as well as the initiation of a Renewable Energy Certificate marketplace in Malaysia. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Nanyang Business School, Singapore.
Naina joined Helikonia in 2017 and currently leads Helikonia’s Southeast Asia reporting and advisory projects. With ten years of industry experience, she has led more than 20 projects for leading companies across the region. Her expertise includes stakeholder engagement, materiality assessments, and ESG disclosure and reporting. She is also an HRDC certified trainer.
Prior to Helikonia she was with PT Foundation, an NGO working with key affected populations on HIV and AIDS, and Enterprise Asia, an NGO promoting entrepreneurship development in Asia and the Pacific. She also worked with UNDP Malaysia under the Energy and Environment Cluster on projects such as the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), the 11th Malaysia Plan and Going Green, and Enhancing the Effectiveness and Financial Sustainability of Protected Areas in Malaysia (PA Financing Project) with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Jabatan Perhilitan). She holds an LLB Law from the University of Manchester, UK and a MA International Relations from the University of Nottingham, Malaysia.
Su Sin is Helikonia’s Malaysia Manager, and joined the company in 2016. She leads our stakeholder engagement work and oversees sustainability data management including data collection and analysis. She has over a decade’s experience in the sustainable palm oil landscape and has experience in governance processes in multistakeholder settings. Prior to joining Helikonia, Su Sin worked for seven years of direct experience in the oil palm industry implementing sustainability standards and certifications across Malaysia and Indonesia, for upstream and downstream operations in one the biggest plantation companies in Malaysia. She is also a certified auditor of International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System and ISO 14064: 2006 Greenhouse Gas Emissions. She holds a Bachelor of Science Computational Mathematics degree from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
Rikke Netterstrøm is the Executive Director of Helikonia and is based in London. She has more than 25 years’ experience in sustainability strategy, stakeholder engagement and issues management. Her main focus is on Board-level engagement to promote responsible business practices and disclosure at major Asian and international companies.
Prior to founding the company, she was responsible for environmental and social issues for two of the world’s sustainability leaders – The Body Shop International plc and Novozymes A/S, preparing strategies for over 50 markets globally. As an investment analyst and a public affairs consultant, she provided advisory services to multinational companies within a range of sectors, including consumer goods, agrichemicals and financial institutions. She has worked extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, delivering workshops at Board and senior management level. Rikke was closely involved in the creation of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil as an Executive Board member, and has served as Interim Secretary General of the organisation. Rikke is an economist, and holds an MSc in International Business from Copenhagen Business School and postgraduate qualifications from Thammasat University, Thailand. Rikke has served on the nominations committee of the prestigious Merdeka Award, as a non-Executive Director of CSR Asia Ltd and sits on the industry advisory board of Nottingham University Business School.
