Securing the sustainability credentials of Queensland raw sugar
CANEGROWERS continues to position the industry to meet the emerging demands for sugarcane production that is certified as meeting standards for environmental and social sustainability. These demands arise from:
Demand for sustainably produced raw sugar in certain markets. While this demand currently represents a relatively small tonnage, it is expected to grow steadily.
Proposed mandatory reporting by businesses of their financial exposure to climate risk, which will include their own emissions and those of their suppliers and customers.
Expected pressure on financial institutions and other services to favour customers that can demonstrate their environmental and social sustainability.
CANEGROWERS sees Smartcane BMP as the preeminent sustainability program and certification standard for Australian sugarcane production. Smartcane BMP meets the needs of local and global sugar stakeholders and continues to position the industry as a global leader on sustainable sugarcane agriculture.
Key areas of work:
Promoting and supporting participation in Smartcane BMP
Ensuring Smartcane BMP is fit for purpose, including certification for indicators of social sustainability (e.g. labour management, WH&S)
Demonstrating how Smartcane BMP meets and exceeds the sustainability frameworks of the supply chain, the financial sector, and other key stakeholders
Developing capacity to track and report the production and sale of Smartcane raw sugar on a mass balance basis
Developing capacity to report the sustainability profile of growers in each region, including trends in emissions intensities and compliance with standards for labour management and workplace safety
