Most European consumers of palm oil are failing to buy eco-certified palm oil, undermining efforts to encourage producers to reduce their impact on the environment, reports WWF.
Analyzing 59 major corporate users of palm oil in Europe, WWF found that only 10 companies are “showing real progress on their commitments to buy and use sustainable palm oil.” 19 companies have “taken very little or no action to curb their use of non-certified palm oil,” according to the environmental group’s new Palm Oil Buyers’ Scorecard (1.26 MB PDF), released the week before the 7th Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which sets criteria for certification.
WWF has been a key supporter of RSPO, which includes a range of stakeholders from palm oil producers and distributors to NGOs. The criteria aim to reduce pollution and protect key tropical forest areas. Critics of the scheme say it fails to go far enough to avoid deforestation and biodiversity loss. Confusion over the effectiveness of RSPO might be one reason sales of certified palm oil have been lackluster — less than 20 percent of the 1.05 million tons of certified palm oil produced have been sold since September 2008. Another factor could be the $10-45 price premium on certified palm oil.
Nevertheless, by releasing the the scorecard, WWF hopes to pressure companies that previously committed to buying “eco-friendly” palm oil.
“WWF welcomes the action of those companies that have moved toward buying certified palm oil,” said WWF International’s Rod Taylor in a statement. “Although many companies have a long way to go, the performances of the top companies in the Scorecard signal to the rest of the industry that it is possible to turn commitment into action and transform the market.”
“Because certified palm oil is now available, it is time to hold major palm oil users to account for their policies and actions.”
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Palm oil both a leading threat to orangutans and a key source of jobs in Sumatra
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(07/08/2009) Consumer apathy towards eco-certified palm oil have undermined efforts to improve the environmental performance of the industry, a top industry official told Reuters.
Consumers show no interest in eco-certified palm oil; WWF threatens naming and shaming campaign
(05/13/2009) Lack of interest in eco-certified palm oil among buyers threatens to undermine efforts to improve the environmental performance of the industry, reports the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).