Greenpeace challenges RSPO to stop green-washing

Greenpeace is calling upon the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to take urgent action against member companies who destroy forests and peatlands. Their objective is to "promote the growth and use of sustainable palm oil through co-operation within the supply chain and open dialogue with its stakeholders."

Sinar Mas, Indonesia’s largest palm oil company, is a key member of the RSPO, which has just celebrated the first shipment to Europe of "sustainable palm oil". However, Greenpeace research shows that the RSPO is little more than greenwash.  One company receiving RSPO certification - United Plantations, a supplier of Nestlé and Unilever - is involved with deforestation in the vulnerable peatland forests of Kalimantan in Indonesia. Sinar Mas is also involved with deforestation all over Indonesia, including in Kalimantan and Papua, and has aggressive expansion plans for the future.

"Palm oil buyers must cancel contracts with suppliers who continue deforestation and peat clearance.  A moratorium on deforestation is a prerequisite to any claims of 'sustainable' palm oil," said Bustar Maitar, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Forest Campaigner. "We expect the RSPO to initiate urgent action against companies like Sinar Mas and United Plantations who continue to destroy forests and peatlands."

http://www.greenpeace.org