CGF drives zero deforestation goals with new palm oil guidelines

A new set of guidelines to help companies source palm oil more responsibly has been published by the Consumer Goods Forum. It's the Forum's first foray into the palm oil debate and developed by CGF retailer and manufacturer members, with input from standard setting organisations, NGOs, banks and suppliers. 

The CGF says the guidelines are an important step in helping the consumer goods and retail industries to achieve zero net deforestation by 2020, as outlined in its Deforestation Resolution.

Ignacio Gavilan, director of sustainability at the CGF said, “The publication of the ‘Sustainable Palm Oil Sourcing Guidelines’ is another important step forward for our industry, and it’s a testament to what can result from effective cross-sector collaboration. This isn’t just a document from The Consumer Goods Forum, it’s a document that is built on a global industry’s commitment to achieve zero net deforestation by 2020, and several stakeholders have been involved in getting it to this point”.

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.

You can download the guidelines here.