Deoleo Certifies Over 815,000 Acres under its Sustainability Protocol and Cuts Emissions by 30%, Reinforcing Its ESG Commitment
• Deoleo’s Sustainability Report has been presented to the market along with its annual accounts, highlighting several achievements from the past year
In line with its corporate purpose, “Caring for what cares for you,” Deoleo has reinforced its commitment to transparency by becoming the first company in the olive oil sector to report in accordance with the rigorous European CSRD standards—well before their enforcement in Spain. The report integrates verified ESG best practices as part of the company’s annual accounts.
Among these practices, Deoleo has notably reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in just two years, repurposed or valorized 94% of its factory waste, increased the procurement of extra virgin olive oil from sustainable mills by 12%, conducted sustainability assessments of 100% of its copackers and auxiliary material suppliers, and taken action to mitigate the gender pay gap.
Cristobal Valdes, CEO of Deoleo, emphasized: “At Deoleo, sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s a purpose that begins at the very source of our oil. Initiatives like our Sustainability Protocol ensure a positive impact from field to table, benefiting both the environment and the communities within our value chain. We are committed to genuine closeness with farmers and consumers, building a fairer, more transparent, and respectful future for the planet and its people.”
Deoleo’s Sustainability Protocol: A Pioneering Project in the Sector
Since 2018, Deoleo has promoted its Sustainability Protocol to advance environmental best practices across the entire olive oil value chain. According to the latest report, 88 mills are now certified under this protocol, representing close collaboration with 59,693 farmers worldwide and positively influencing over 835,000 acres of farmland. This pioneering initiative—central to Deoleo’s sustainability strategy—pursues a dual objective. First, it ensures that certified mills receive annual sustainability training, enabling them to measure emissions, water and energy use, and implement equality agreements. This effort is further supported by initiatives like the European Soil O-Live project, which promotes soil care through cover crops, and partnerships with the Union of Small Farmers of Spain (UPA).
Second, the protocol contributes directly to the production of more sustainable olive oil. In 2024, 39% of Deoleo’s extra virgin olive oil was sourced from certified mills—up 12% from the previous year. The company is steadily progressing toward its 2030 goal of sourcing 70% of its EVOO from sustainable sources.
Deoleo’s Environmental Commitment
To mitigate its environmental footprint, Deoleo has developed a Climate Change Mitigation Transition Plan grounded in carbon reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)—underscoring the company’s commitment and transparency. As part of this plan, Deoleo measured its scope 3 emissions for the first time and based on this analysis, confirmed a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in just two years.
The report also outlines additional environmental best practices: 98% of the electricity consumed by Deoleo is sourced from renewables; water consumption across operations was reduced by 31%; and use of recycled materials has significantly increased, with recycled plastic packaging (rPET) rising from 3% in 2022 to 25% in 2024. Additionally, 94% of waste generated in its Spanish and Italian factories—both certified as “Zero Waste”—has been given a second life, contributing to the company’s circular economy efforts.
Positive Social Impact and Proximity
Deoleo continues to drive scientific research into the health benefits of olive oil and the Mediterranean diet through the Istituto Nutrizionale Carapelli to raise consumer awareness, it has launched various campaigns through leading brands such as Carbonell, Carapelli, and Bertolli positively impacting over 85 million people globally—a 27% increase from 2023. Deoleo has also emphasized transparency and innovation, integrating blockchain QR codes on bottles so consumers can verify the origin and quality of their oil.
Internally, the company’s workforce reflects rich cultural and generational diversity, with 21 nationalities represented across 12 global offices. A central tenet of its sustainability strategy is the well-being and development of its people. Deoleo also continues to champion female leadership across its value chain. Women now make up 40% of the company’s workforce, and the salary balance remains favorable for female employees. The launch of Deoleo first ‘Growing Together’ Congress marked the beginning of a dedicated platform to highlight and advance women’s leadership in the olive oil sector.
Deoleo’s Governance Best Practices
Deoleo’s Sustainability Report also highlights robust governance achievements: certification under the AENOR Corporate Governance Index, with the highest possible rating (G++), making Deoleo the first company in the consumer goods sector to reach this level; and the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of 150,000 companies evaluated for ESG performance. Moreover, Deoleo has conducted environmental, social, and governance audits on all of its copackers and auxiliary material suppliers. Of these, 76% are rated at an “advanced” or “master” ESG level.
“Each advancement in our Sustainability Report proves that our commitment is more than intent—it’s a living reality guiding every aspect of what we do. From caring for the soil and those who tend it, to ensuring the highest quality oil reaches millions of homes—every action, every partnership, every innovation is designed to generate real, lasting impact for people, their communities, and the future of olive oil,” concludes Maria Martha Luchetti, Director of Marketing, Innovation, and Sustainability at Deoleo.