In November, more than 190 world leaders will arrive in Glasgow, Scotland as part of the 26th UN Climate Change Summit – better known as COP26. Over twelve days, these leaders, alongside thousands of negotiators, businesses, government representatives and citizens, will collaborate in talks about how to help solve the current climate crisis.
At DAABON UK, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to being part of the solution.
In part one of this brand new blog series, find out why COP26 is so significant, and what we’re doing to support the key goals of the conference.
COP26 – One Last Chance?
Although the UN has been bringing together countries across the globe for nearly three decades, this event is particularly important – with many considering it to be the world’s best and last chance to get climate change under control.
Prior to this, COP21 took place in Paris in 2015 – and the events that unfurled during that period marked a momentous occasion in climate change history. For the first time ever, every country agreed to work together to lower global warming, adapt to its impacts and find and make available the necessary funding to achieve these aims.
It was also agreed that they would meet every five years with an updated plan to continue addressing the ever-changing landscape and challenges that climate change presents.
COP26 Goal 1 – Secure Net Zero by Mid-century and Keep 1.5 Degrees Within Reach
This year’s summit has put forward four ambitious goals. In addition to targeting specific issues caused by this environmental crisis, they also act as part of a wider framework to effectively fight climate change.
The first of these is to limit global warming well below 2 degrees by aiming for 1.5 degrees. This year, countries are expected to demonstrate how they are honouring this commitment, and have been asked to come forward with 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century.
To deliver on these stretching targets, countries will need to:
● accelerate the phase-out of coal
● curtail deforestation
● speed up the switch to electric vehicles
● encourage investment in renewables.
Taking Action to Achieve Net Zero – Signing the Climate Pledge
To demonstrate our commitment to operating in an environmentally responsible way, we’re proud to have joined corporations such as Amazon, Microsoft, Unilever and more by signing The Climate Pledge this year.
Signing The Climate Pledge commits its signatories to three principal areas of action – with one of these goals being to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
We’re taking this responsibility very seriously – and going above and beyond the requirements. As a result, we are on track to achieve targeted Net Zero emissions across our global operations by 2025 – 15 years early!
The Road to Net Zero - Creating Clean Energy
By implementing a methane capture and control project using palm oil sludge, we’ve already made our palm oil operation net zero – it’s now a net exporter of clean energy!
This project is approved by the UN under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and has produced more than 8 million kilowatts of clean methane. This is then used to power the DAABON operation, and enables us to redistribute power back to the Colombian national grid and give back to our local community that makes our business possible.
Whilst being a more energy-efficient operation, it also demonstrates our core ethos in
action – that a business should benefit the people and the environment around it.
Protecting Our Forests
We have a zero-deforestation commitment and a strict policy to protect our homeland and its local habitat.
Our land has a rich agricultural history. The region that we mainly operate in Santa Marta region has almost solely been used for agriculture and has developed on the back of cattle rearing and various crops - including corn, rice, cotton and bananas back in the early 1900’s.
Oil palm sold by us is grown on two types of land – company/family-owned and smallholder owned. We have adopted a 13-steps due diligence process that goes right back to the source to ensure compliance with our commitment.
We have also committed to protecting and preserving any small tracts of remaining primary and secondary forest in the region. We consider these areas as great assets as they are the last piece of untouched land and home to an abundance of wildlife including birds, monkeys and 'palm bears'. It also contributes to neutralise and protect the proliferation of pests in the crops – much like a natural, self-regulating pesticide!
Get in Touch
At DAABON UK, all our certified sustainable palm oil is organic and Identity Preserved – and
all our farms, mills and other facilities are accredited by RSPO, POIG and the Rainforest Alliance, amongst many other accrediting bodies.
When you purchase DAABON palm oil, you know exactly what you are getting, and where it comes from. Traceable, organic and deforestation-free palm oil. Produced in Colombia with respect to the planet, people and wildlife.
For more information or to enquire about making the switch to organic sustainable palm oil or palm oil based products - contact orders@daabonuk.com.
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