ASD Impact Fund launch
Members Communication Pack
What’s happening?
As you know, the ASD Impact Fund is launching, and now is the time to tell the world about it.
ASD will be sending out a press release to announce the launch on Thursday 3 March 2022. Contributing members have approved, fed back on and contributed to the final document, which is available to download here.
We have also used this PR as the basis for a short story on the launch, posted here on the ASD website.
As previously mentioned, we will be following up with another PR in early April which will go into a bit more detail on the Inobu Mosaik Initiative and what ASD members hope to achieve.
What we’d like our members to do
Feel free to use the press release as the basis for your own stories about the launch of ASD Impact Fund and your organisation’s involvement in it.
We want participating ASD Members to leverage their networks, resources and media lists to extend the reach of this press release.
This might be via your company website, within reports and forums, on company social media channels and through key company influencers (e.g. CEOs, CSOs, COP, etc.)
To support you in this, you will find below:
press release
suggested social media posts
We thank you for your help.
Comms assets
Press release as a Word file
Click to download
Press release as a PDF file
Click to download
ASD logo, as PNG
Press release
3 March 2022
Palm derivatives users pool funding to create positive impact in sourcing regions
Leading cosmetics, personal care, healthcare and oleochemicals companies are providing funding to a project that will generate positive environmental and social impact in the region where they source palm oil derivatives.
At least six members of Action for Sustainable Derivatives (ASD) – including Croda International, The Estée Lauder Companies through its Charitable Foundation, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Natura &Co, Seppic and Stéarinerie Dubois – will collectively provide financial support to an on-the-ground project in a priority region that has strong supply chain links and systemic environmental and human rights challenges.
The ASD Impact Fund has been developed in partnership with Tides Foundation, using the Tides collective action fund model which provides an established, efficient and effective way to enable multi-donor collaboration to help create positive change in the world.
ASD is a collaborative initiative of palm oil derivatives users aiming to transform their supply chains. Each year, ASD conducts an investigation to map its members’ supply chains and monitor risks. This helps to identify priority supply chain players to engage, as well as the priority landscapes in which to focus investment.
To drive positive impact on the ground in those priority landscapes, the collaboration undertook an extensive process to identify existing projects that address underlying issues influencing responsible practices in palm production landscapes. The funding model will enable the six ASD members to collectively direct resources to those projects.
“We’re proud to launch the ASD Impact Fund. Together, a number of our members are able to pool their resources to fund projects that support our vision for palm derivatives sourcing that is free from deforestation, respects human rights, and supports local livelihoods,” said Edwina McKechnie, Associate Director, Consumer Sectors at BSR.
“The primary purpose of ASD is to positively transform industry practices for key derivatives supply chains, and we are pleased to see this work take concrete next steps. The collective impact efforts conducted through ASD will now allow different types of downstream companies, including intermediary players and SMEs, to support on-the-ground actions in strategic palm oil production areas connected to their supply”, added Ariane Denis, Deputy Director, Sustainable sourcing at Transitions.
“This first project will ensure resources go into directly supporting smallholders, landscapes and communities linked to ASD’s supply footprint.”
“Through the Fund, we are able to facilitate impact on-the-ground by providing a mechanism to collect finance from multiple sources, and secure a pipeline of funding to projects in priority production landscapes shared by palm derivatives users.” said Ricki Berkenfeld, Manager, Consumer Sectors at BSR.
Michelle Fargen, Global Head of Procurement and Sustainable Sourcing, Croda, said: “Croda is very happy to be a contributor to the ASD Impact Fund. Our use of palm derived raw materials is fully supported by RSPO Supply Chain Certification, supply chain mapping, and compliance to NPDE principles.
“It has been our desire to participate in direct impact projects to enable further positive results at local levels. The ASD Impact Fund will enable us to do this in partnership with like-minded ASD members. We are excited to see the positive impacts to our local market areas.”
Nancy Mahon, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability, The Estée Lauder Companies, said: ”At The Estée Lauder Companies, we know that global challenges require collaborative solutions. That’s why we’re proud to support, through The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, the launch of the ASD Impact Fund.
“Responsible palm sourcing and production requires collaboration among like-minded members and with local communities, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to support the local communities in which we live, work and source to drive positive impact on the ground with the Fund.”
Marie Ollagnier, Global CSR Director, Seppic, said: "At Seppic we are proud and excited to contribute to the ASD Impact Fund. Seppic has actively promoted the sustainable transformation of the palm supply chain for years, and our participation in this on-the-ground collective program is a new step for us to further engage at the local level to reach higher positive impacts on the environment and communities.”
Hervé Gondrand, General Manager, Stéarinerie Dubois, said: “Stéarinerie Dubois is proud to be a member of the ASD and glad to provide financial support to the ASD Impact Fund.
“As a Small and Medium Enterprise, our contribution to this fund is a milestone in our strategy for forests, since we joined RSPO in 2011 and embarked all of our industrial customers with a 100% RSPO Mass Balance Supply Chain Certification Standard product offer.
“Building this bridge between the downstream and upstream actors is fully in line with our commitment to make palm oil derivatives sourcing more sustainable, free from deforestation, respectful to human rights and supporting local livelihoods. It provides us a path to the accomplishment of the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Global Compact.”
Sarah McDonald, Vice President of Sustainability, GSK Consumer Healthcare, said: “GSK Consumer Healthcare is proud to support the ASD Impact Fund. Addressing the social and environmental barriers that stand in the way of people’s everyday health is fundamental to our company purpose and sourcing commodities, such as palm oil, in a sustainable and inclusive way is a core part of our sustainability strategy.
“Meaningful collaborations such as this enable us to create positive impact for people and planet in priority areas we source ingredients from, tackling nature loss and protecting human rights.”
More details on the specific project being supported will be announced next month. The project will have an identified need and scope where ASD can add value through pooled funding contributions. In choosing the project ASD assessed:
environmental conservation/ restoration potential;
proximity to priority mills and landscapes;
potential to enhance smallholder livelihoods;
how established and robust the project is.
Notes to editors:
About ASD
ASD, co-managed by BSR and Transitions, was launched in late 2019 to bring together companies in the cosmetics, home, health and personal care, and oleochemicals industries to collectively address key environmental and social challenges in palm oil and palm kernel oil derivatives (palm derivatives) supply chains.
ASD’s vision is to achieve and promote palm derivatives sourcing that is free from deforestation, respects human rights, and supports local livelihoods.
During its first two years, ASD has made significant strides in laying the groundwork that will enable the initiative to take further action towards its vision, through its defined impact-oriented approach.
You can download ASD’s latest Update of Progress here and find more information about ASD on its website.
About BSR
BSR is a global nonprofit organization that works within its network of around 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. It develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. BSR has over 25 years of experience in designing, implementing and scaling effective business-led collaborations. Our powerful global network of member companies, cross-sector collaborative initiatives, and grant-funded partnerships ensures that no company is alone in addressing sustainability challenges.
Visit the BSR website to find out more.
About Transitions
Transitions is a consultancy specialized in building sustainable supply chains for a range of key commodities. With long experience working in the palm derivatives supply chain for the cosmetics and oleochemicals sectors, Transitions benefits from a strong understanding of its complexities, a good reputation among its players and external stakeholders, as well as a deep expertise in building sustainable procurement models that deliver positive impacts in the field. As an independent third-party, Transitions acts as a facilitator to build dialogue with direct and indirect suppliers, as well as internal and external stakeholders in order to enhance win-win improvements along the chain.
Visit the Transitions website to find out more.
For media enquiries:
Tom Idle, Narrative Matters
tomidle@narrativematters.co.uk
+44 (0)7760 161401
Suggest media posts
We are excited to be a part of the Action for Sustainable Derivatives (ASD) Impact Fund which has been launched to provide financial support to an on-the-ground project in one of our priority palm derivatives sourcing regions.
We’re working with [Croda International, The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, GSK, Natura &Co, Seppic and Stéarinerie Dubois] to collectively drive positive impact and address systemic environmental and human rights challenges.
The ASD Impact Fund has been developed in partnership with Tides Foundation, using the Tides collective action fund model which provides an established, efficient and effective way to enable multi-donor collaboration to create positive change in the world.
We’re excited to see what we can achieve together for a better world.
You can find out more here: www.sustainablederivatives.org/updates/asd-impact-fund-launch
We are taking our collaboration with our fellow palm derivatives users across the cosmetics, personal care, healthcare and oleochemicals sectors further with the launch of the Action for Sustainable Derivatives (ASD) Impact Fund.
We’ve been a part of the collaborative initiative designed to collectively address key environmental and social challenges in palm oil and palm kernel oil derivatives (palm derivatives) supply chains, since 2019.
Now, together with other ASD Members, we will collectively provide financial support to an on-the-ground project in a priority region that has strong supply chain links and systemic environmental and human rights challenges.
The resources will be used to direct support to smallholders, landscapes and communities linked to our supply footprint.
You can find out more here: www.sustainablederivatives.org/updates/asd-impact-fund-launch
We’re excited to be a part of the Action for Sustainable Derivatives Impact Fund which has officially launched. By pooling our resources with our collaborative partners we aim to accelerate positive impact in regions where we source palm oil derivatives. You can find out more here: www.sustainablederivatives.org/updates/asd-impact-fund-launch
We believe a collective approach to supporting projects can enhance and accelerate the sustainability of our palm derivatives sourcing. That’s why we’re excited to be a part of the Action for Sustainable Derivatives Impact Fund which is now officially launched. Find out more here: www.sustainablederivatives.org/updates/asd-impact-fund-launch
Delighted to join fellow members of ASD @crodaplc @esteelaudercompanies @GSK @naturaandco @SEPPIC + @StearinerieD to launch the Impact Fund to support on-the-ground projects in our palm derivatives sourcing regions www.sustainablederivatives.org/updates/asd-impact-fund-launch
Communications Do’s and Dont’s
Please Do:
Proactively engage peers, customers, suppliers, and wider stakeholders to promote the Impact Fund.
Focus on the fact that the Fund is using a collective, pooled approach
Seek guidance from the ASD team for any external-facing content that departs significantly from key messages.
Involve your Corporate Communications teams where possible to amplify ASD’s voice.
Please Don't:
Mention that the Fund is any one individual company’s Fund or project.
Overstate the impact any one individual company has created through the project – this is collective action.
Refer to the actions, activities or contributions of another ASD Member without their permission.
Engage in social media disputes regarding ASD’s position or activities.
Get in touch
If you have any questions, just shout.
Benjamin Voirin, Senior Project Manager, Transitions benjamin.voirin@transitions-dd.com
Tom Idle, ASD Communications Consultant, Narrative Matters tomidle@narrativematters.co.uk
Ricki Berkenfeld, ASD BSR Team rberkenfeld@bsr.org
