The publication of the report is the culmination of a body of work instigated by the ADM Sustainability Steering Committee which convened for the first time in 2007.
ADM has published information on a variety of initiatives that the company is pursing to improve its social practices and environmental impact.
These include its “Doing it Right” programs designed to help Brazilian soy farmers increase their yields in environmentally sound and socially responsible ways. Other long-term initiatives include its cocoa-sustainability programs that aim to marry the goals of greater productivity, better quality crops, and improved worker welfare.
2009 highlights
The ADM corporate report also highlights more recent initiatives like ADM Cares, a program launched in 2009 that channels up to one percent of pretax earnings to organisations and initiatives that support responsible agricultural practices in growing regions of the world, as well as groups that pursue community building work where ADM employees work.
Other highlights from 2009 include the achievement of a 20 percent year-on-year reduction in the recordable injury incident rate at ADM and increased spending with businesses owned wholly by members of traditionally disadvantaged groups to $520m.
Environmental goals
In 2010 and beyond, an ADM spokesperson said the company will focus on environmental goals including the establishment of systems to track company-wide water and energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
ADM will also establish performance goals and timetables for reducing our resource usage and emissions per unit of production.
The spokesperson said ADM has made no announcement as to whether a corporate responsibility report will be published annually but said updates will be provided on sustainability practices on a regular basis.