May 5, 2008
Unilever Tells Suppliers: ‘Certified Sustainable Palm Oil Only’
In response to concerns, and protests, over palm oil crops’ role in rainforest deforestation, food giant Unilever has announced it will use only palm oil certified as sustainable, BusinessGreen reports.
Through a collaboration with industry group Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Unilever said it aims to trace the origins of all the palm oil it uses in Europe by 2012 and ensure that it is only sourcing certified palm oil by 2015.
As part of its efforts, Unilever CEO Patrick Cescau warned suppliers that the company would apply sanctions on those who continue to use unlawful deforestation practices in the harvesting of palm oil.
Last summer, The Body Shop said it had become the first cosmetics and toiletries retailer to introduce sustainable palm oil into the global beauty industry.
A Greenpeace representative said other large users of palm oil, such as Nestle and Procter & Gamble, should follow Unilever’s lead to the new palm oil sustainability certification.
At a recent conference, the Rainforest Action Network, which has campaigned for sustainable palm oil practices, ambushed Patricia Woertz, chairman, president and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland, over ADM’s use of palm oil from endangered forests in Southeast Asia.
In its third annual ethical reputation ranking of companies Geneva-based Covalence ranked Unilever, along with Toyota and HSBC as having consolidated their leadership with Best Ethical Quote Score.
Advertisers
Stay competitive through sustainability.
Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>
EFFECTIVELY MANAGE WATER COMPLIANCE
Understand how increased enforcement may affect your company. Find out more >>
EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st
CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>
Recent Daily News [ see all ]
- 11/06/2009
- 11/05/2009
- 11/04/2009
- Emissions Intensity Falling Globally
- JohnsonDiversey Ups GHG Reduction Target to 25%
- Sainsbury’s Offers Free London Electric Car Charging
- Carbon Trading Could Trigger a ‘Sub-prime Style’ Economic Crash
- Peabody, Exxon Accused of Undermining Climate Talks
- BMW, Toyota, Ford Tout Eco-cars
- In ‘Apathy Gap,’ Energy Efficiency at Home Ranks Low
- China Pushes for CO2 Storage, Not Emissions Reductions
- Clean Tech VC Funding On Rebound, Up 50% Since 2nd Quarter
- IECC Building Code Recommendations Add Up to 30% in Energy Efficiency Gains
- Disney Buys $7M in Reforestation Offsets, a Corporate Record
- McKesson to Save $300K Via Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
- Sprint to Save $2.1M With Eco-Friendly Packaging
- U.S. Export-Import Bank Adopts Carbon Policy to Support Renewable Energy
- Greening the Automotive Supply Chain
- Yokohama Rubber Cuts GHG Emissions 13.4% in 2008
- Electronics Industry Lawsuit Called ‘Attack on States’ Rights’
- Wal-Mart Adding LEDs to 650 Stores
- One Committee Down for Senate Climate Bill, Five More to Go
- EU Poised to Give Heavy Industry Free Carbon Permits
- ResponsibleTravel.com Scuttles Carbon Offsetting Option
- U.S. Cap-and-Trade Creates Winners and Losers among Largest Emitters
- DOE Awards $155M to Make Industrial Sector More Energy Efficient
- System Upgrades Power Up Energy Savings for Hotels
- Xerox Cuts GHG Emissions by 20% from 2002
- Waste Management Landfill Gas Project Complete
- Intel, Pepsi, Kohl’s Stay Atop Green Power Partnership list
- Wal-Mart Thinks Big With Smaller Stores
- Despite Critics, Gore ‘Proud’ to Invest in Green Firms
- Metal Recyclers Spar Over Ship Recycling Site
Industry Voices [ see all ]
A Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Partnership
Brad Cashaw
Vice President
Quaker Foods and Snacks Supply Chain and Sustainability
Forest Carbon Core to Climate Change Deal
Chris Elliott
Forest Carbon Initiative Lead
World Wildlife Fund
VCS and CarbonFix Tops in Review of Forestry Carbon Standards
Paulo Lopes
Carbon Management Consultant
Carbon Clear
Join the Discussion