Annual Report 2023-24

Sustainable Sugar

Sustainable Sugar activities

Kicking sustainability goals

CANEGROWERS continued efforts to meet sustainability criteria and manage environmental, social, and governance expectations from food and beverage manufacturers, customers, and consumers.

Through Smartcane BMP, CANEGROWERS has been aligning best management practices for sugarcane production with international frameworks including the Bonsucro, VIVE, and ProTerra frameworks, helping demonstrate sustainable sugar production.

Since 2017, American Sugar Refining Inc (ASR) who buy Queensland sugar through the US tariff-rate quota, has conducted ProTerra social verification audits in Queensland to ensure compliance with human rights, good agricultural practices, and environmental conservation standards. In 2023, audits conducted in several districts with growers who are Smartcane BMP accredited, showed excellent alignment with the ProTerra standards. CANEGROWERS has continued its collaboration with ASR, engaging in discussions on ESG needs, sustainable sourcing, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.

CANEGROWERS also engaged with Bonsucro on cross-certification with Smartcane BMP. Ongoing discussions with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) explored sustainable sourcing, traceability, and carbon emissions targets, potentially leading to opportunities in premium markets. The KPMG Origins traceability platform has been another area of focus, offering further opportunities for enhancing sustainability, ESG compliance, and traceability in domestic and international sugar supply chains.

Overall, CANEGROWERS' engagement with industry stakeholders and global sustainability standards positions Queensland sugar as a leading example of sustainable and traceable production, benefiting both growers and the wider supply chain.