Marks & Spencer pioneers use of sustainable palm oil
UK retailer Marks & Spencer has announced it has become the first retailer to invest in GreenPalm certificates to cover its entire usage of palm oil.
UK retailer Marks & Spencer has announced it has become the first retailer to invest in GreenPalm certificates to cover its entire usage of palm oil.
It plans to roll out the GreenPalm programme, designed to tackle the environmental and social problems associated with palm oil production, to all its products over the next six years, starting with nine products in 2010. Marks & Spencer uses palm oil in almost 1,000 food, cosmetic and household products and has committed to support the sustainable production of palm oil in south east Asia by buying GreenPalm certificates equivalent to the amount it uses.
“GreenPalm is based on our belief that the best way to encourage producers to work sustainably is to reward them for doing so,” said Bob Norman, general manager, GreenPalm. “This also gives other growers an incentive to follow suit, even if their palm oil is sold only locally and in very small volumes.”