Biofuel Sold to Hawaiian Electric Co (HECO) is Segregated Certified Sustainable Palm Oil

Sime Darby Plantation would like to respond to allegations and concerns raised by Rainforest Rescue, an NGO based in Germany, on the sustainability of the biofuels that Sime Darby Plantation supplies to Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO).

As a responsible plantation company and a founding member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), we take any queries or concerns about our practices or any breaches of our policies very seriously.

Contrary to the claims of Rainforest Rescue, Sime Darby Plantation has the required policies in place, all of which are in adherence with the standards of the RSPO (more information on www.simedarbyplantation.com). These include both environmental and social policies which are rigorously implemented at all our estates. We are actively pursuing our ultimate goal of obtaining RSPO certification for all our 63 Strategic Operating Units (SOUs) by the end of 2011, an aggressive target that we intend to achieve despite all the inherent challenges faced when undoing the inherited practices of the past.

To date, 16 of our SOUs have been certified by the RSPO, making us the world’s largest producer of certified sustainable palm oil. A further 30 of our SOUs have been audited by independent firms recognised by the RSPO and are awaiting certification. This is no small achievement and is a testament to the fact that Sime Darby Plantation is extremely serious about the sustainable production of the palm oil we produce. We are deeply invested in both environmental and social sustainability as we recognise that our very existence depends on it.

Sime Darby Plantation appreciates constructive feedback and comments in the interest of the continued well-being of the palm oil industry and welcomes anyone who has need for more information or clarification to contact us.