Sustainable Commodity Certificates
Current Programs Supported
Equitable Origin Responsible Oil and Gas Certification
Equitable Origin seeks to create a new norm for oil and gas exploration and production in which oil and gas operators are publically distinguished and financially rewarded for outstanding social, environmental, and safety performance. We believe that by creating a comprehensive umbrella system that consolidates and exceeds existing standards, environmentally and socially responsible oil and gas exploration and production will become more economically viable. The EO system makes it possible for responsible oil and gas operators and visionary companies that utilize oil and gas in the transport or manufacture of their products to legitimately assure their shareholders and the global community that they are committed to the world’s safest, cleanest, most socially responsible oil and gas production.
Round Table on Responsible Soy
The Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS) is a multi-stakeholder initiative which aims to facilitate a global dialogue on soy production that is economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally sound. It provides stakeholders and interested parties – producers, social organizations and business and industry - with the opportunity to jointly develop global solutions leading to responsible soy production.
The RTRS standard for responsible soy production includes requirements to halt conversion of areas with high conservation value, to promote best management practices, to ensure fair working conditions, and to respect land tenure claims. A certification scheme for production and one for Chain of Custody have been implemented. Early June 2011 the first farm was certified RTRS and the Certificate Trading Platform already facilitated several transactions between certified producers and market stakeholders.
Round Table on Responsible Palm Oil
In response to the urgent and pressing global call for sustainably produced palm oil, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004 with the objective promoting the growth and use of sustainable oil palm products through credible global standards and engagement of stakeholders. However the rapid expansion has naturally put pressure on the environment and on socities where the palm is grown. While better managed plantations and oil palm smallholdings serve as models of sustainable agriculture, in terms of economic performance as well as social and environmental responsibility, there is concern that not all palm oil is always being produced sustainably. The expansion of oil palm plantations has also given rise to social conflicts between indigenous communities and growers in some places. Hence sustainable palm oil is seen as a way forward to continue to supply the world with its much needed vegetable oil without harming the planet and its people.
Supporting Sustainable Commodity Certification Programs
Sustainable agriculture initiatives focus on producing minimal impact on the environment while creating a positive impact on the local community through approved best management practices and criteria. The roundtables are inclusive efforts that facilitate collaborative partnerships amongst all stakeholders groups to make commodity production more sustainable, efficient and profitable.
Current certificates supported include:
- Green Palm Oil Certificates
- Responsible Soy Certificates
- Responsible Oil and Gas Production Certificates
Making Sustainability Claims
Organizations seek to make measurable improvements in key environmental and social impacts of agriculture production by promoting better growing practices across the industry. Producers of products containing supported commodities can purchase or bid for certificates using the MM Earth password protected platform and directly support producers following best management practices. The actual commodity can be purchased separately from the certificate in the Book and Claim method, with no need for costly segregation or tracing of the physical commodity.
Manufacturers and retailers can therefore demonstrate that they have supported sustainable production and with it provide direct support to farmers in the developing countries where most of these commodities are cultivated. Using the Book and Claim method allows corporations to make sustainability claims that can be verified and promoted to stakeholders and consumers of their products worldwide.
Services Provided:
- Trading board that allows for transparent posting of all buy and sell orders
- Settlement of all transactions with buyers and sellers
- Use of the MM Earth centralized registry that enables tracking and accountability for sustainability claims and supply chain management
- Ability for certificate sellers to potentially monetize and generate additional incremental income for other ecosystem services created by sustainable practices using the MM Earth platform
- MM Earth marketing effort that creates increased awareness of certification benefits from producers and greater adoption from buyers including direct marketing and webinars to corporations and other key potential buyers