CGF publishes Palm Oil Sourcing Guidelines

THE Consumer Goods Forum has released Sustainable Palm Oil Sourcing Guidelines, a document aimed to help consumer goods and retail industries achieve zero net deforestation by 2020, as outlined in the CGF’s Deforestation Resolution.

Developed by CGF retailer and manufacturer members, with input from standard setting organizations, NGOs, banks and suppliers, this publication will assist companies in designing their own policies for sourcing palm oil more sustainably.  It will serve as a ‘live’ tool for companies sourcing palm oil as the document will be updated.

A key feature is a two-stage approach that lays out steps to enable companies (from any industry) to start the journey to sustainable palm oil, together with further steps necessary for a fully sustainable palm oil supply.  

Palm Oil is the most widely used vegetable oil in the world. Malaysia and Indonesia are leading producers accounting for 86% of global production. Although potentially one of the more sustainable vegetable oils, there is serious concern that rapid expansion of palm oil plantations has on occasions resulted in loss of valuable tropical forests and social conflict.

Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO at Mondelēz International and CGF Board member, said, “I urge CGF members and other companies sourcing palm oil to adopt these guidelines to help make sustainable palm oil the mainstream option.”

Mike Barry, Director, Sustainable Business (Plan A) at Marks and Spencer and Co-Chair of the CGF's Sustainability Pillar, said, "These guidelines give CGF members a roadmap to sustainable palm oil sourcing. They enable all companies, multinational and local, to play their part in delivering the CGF commitment to achieve zero net deforestation by 2020".

Download the Sustainable Palm Oil Sourcing Guidelines from tcgfsustainability.com and theconsumergoodsforum.com.