WWF-ZSL study urgently calls on RSPO member companies to set and deliver on their targets and work collectively towards mainstreaming sustainable palm oil

Posted on April, 12 2022

 

In this third edition of ‘Committed to Sustainable Palm Oil?’, WWF and ZSL (Zoological Society of London) analysed Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP) reports submitted by growers, processors and traders, consumer goods manufacturers (CGMs) and retailers for the year 2020. Some key findings of this year’s analysis were that:

  • 2020 was supposed to be a crucial milestone for progress on sustainability and halting deforestation in the palm oil sector. However, while several companies have made progress in meeting their commitments to be 100% RSPO-certified by 2020, many RSPO members across the supply chain still have not even set targets.
  • The share of companies with 100% RSPO certification has improved between 2019 and 2020, particularly across growers and retailers. However, progress remains very variable both within and between supply chain segments.
  • Companies with the largest land area and volumes of palm oil handled are still falling short on certification. All companies need to take immediate and meaningful action to close the certification gap, with additional responsibility for bigger players to rapidly and significantly increase their uptake of sustainable palm oil.
 

With rates of tropical deforestation, biodiversity loss and GHG emissions continuing to rise, RSPO member companies across the supply chain need to act fast to set, strengthen and deliver on their commitments towards a sustainable palm oil industry. WWF and ZSL urgently call on all RSPO members to improve awareness of the Shared Responsibility requirements and targets, ensure accurate reporting of progress, and work collectively to increase the production and sourcing of 100% RSPO-certified palm oil.

 

For more information, please contact:

Mai Lan Hoang, Engagement Manager, WWF-Singapore, mlhoang@wwf.sg

Megan Sim, Project Assistant, WWF-Singapore, msim@wwf.sg
 

....................................................

 

Key Findings at a glance

 



 



 


 

Collection of palm oil fruit
© James Morgan / WWF International
Bornean elephants emerge from an oil palm plantation at Sabah Softwoods in Sabah, Borneo on 28 March, 2019.
© Chris J Ratcliffe / WWF-UK