Investigation into the origins of Essent palm oil led by Professor Blok

Essent suspends purchase of palm oil during investigation

Prof. dr. K. Blok, Professor at the University of Utrecht and Managing Director of Ecofys, has been appointed chairman of the committee which, on behalf of Essent, is going to investigate the possibilities of an international certification system for palm oil and palm oil derivatives.

Essent, in company with other concerns, is making every effort on a national and international level to increase the traceability and testing of the sustainability of biomass. One of the ways we are doing this is by cooperating with the national Cramer Commission and the international Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The Round Table is attended by big international food producers, retailers, energy companies, oil companies, banks, NGOs and other organisations.

To speed up the process towards certification, Essent is conducting its own investigation into the feasibility of a good certification system for palm oil and palm oil derivatives. This should produce clarity about the origins of palm oil and rule out any suggestion of chopping down tropical rainforest, draining peat bogs or abuses linked with processing.

The Blok committee will begin the investigation as soon as possible and the conclusions should be known around 1 July 2007. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will supervise the progress of the investigation. Essent is suspending its purchases of palm oil during the investigation. Essent will respect the conclusions of the committee and act accordingly.

If it becomes apparent from this investigation that we can arrive at an international certification system sooner than on a national and international level, we invite the other members of the Round Table to join us in further establishing such a system.

Essent uses biomass for the production of green electricity in The Netherlands and contributes to efforts towards sustainable energy provision and climate protection. About 10 % of the green electricity supplied by Essent is produced using palm oil. Essent believes the use of biomass should be done in a responsible manner. This is another reason why, at this early stage, we have already started developing systems to trace the biomass we import and to test it for sustainability (Essent's Green Gold Label).

About Essent
With an annual turnover of 6.3 billion euros in 2005, Essent is The Netherlands' biggest energy company. Essent produces, sells and transports (green) electricity and natural gas. The company operates in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Essent is also an important player in analogue and digital cable television and operates as a cable internet provider. The environmental branch of the concern processes waste into energy and residual currents. Essent employs around 12,000 people.

Further information: http://www.essent.nl/

For more information please contact Anneloes van der Voort:
+316 46 08 25 40 or
Email: anneloes.van-der.voort@essent.nl

For further questions regarding Essent please contact our Press Office, telephone:
+31 73 853 49 39 (within the Netherlands 0800-0244022).
Email: pressoffice@essent.nl