About Palm Oil

What’s the issue?

The single greatest threat facing orangutans today is habitat loss.

The average annual rate of forest loss in Indonesia was 498,000 hectare (ha) (FAO, 2010) from 2000 to 2010 or the equivalent of over 55 rugby fields per hour.

The expanding palm oil industry has been a key driver of this deforestation.  In the decade to 2010, Indonesian plantation area nearly doubled to close to 8.0 million ha and is expected to near 13 million ha by 2020 (PWC, 2012).

The BOS Foundation sees the result of the palm oil industry expansion on a daily basis. It rescues and releases orangutans displaced from their natural habitat. Those not able to be immediately trans-located are cared for at centres in Central and East Kalimantan. BOS relies on donations to fund the care and reintroduction of these orangutans to areas of safe, secure natural habitat.

The Guardian provides an informative and interactive link on the story of palm oil.

What products contain palm oil?

Today palm oil accounts for 35% of world edible vegetable oil production (USDA, 2013) with 85% of this sourced from Indonesia and Malaysia.

The majority of palm oil (about 80%) is used in the food industry either as a vegetable oil or embedded in other ingredients. It can be found in many processed foods including ice cream, chocolate, chips, cereals, frozen foods, margarine, baked goods (biscuits, cakes and breads) and even fruit juice.  It may appear on labels as vegetable oil or be even less visible as a component of other ingredients.

Palm oil also occurs widely in personal care, cosmetic and household products including soap, toothpaste, shampoo, cosmetics, laundry powders and detergents.

Around 2% is used as a feedstock for biofuels (Net Balance Foundation, 2013).

BOS Australia has put together a list of palm oil free products to assist you in making an informed decision.

Is there such a thing as sustainable palm oil?

Yes – about 14% of palm oil production is now certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO).  This oil has been produced according to a set of environmental and social criteria designed to ensure the rights of local communities are respected and that no new primary forests or high conservation value areas have been cleared for palm oil production since November 2005.

CSPO can be sold via one of four different supply chains:

* Identity preserved CSPO from a single source kept separate throughout the supply chain;

* Segregated CSPO from diverse sources but remains physically separated from non-certified palm oil throughout the supply chain;

* Mass Balance CSPO which allows the mixing of CSPO and non-certified palm oil and allows the user to claim contribution to the production of CSPO; and

* Book and Claim CSPO which is a certificate trading system (GreenPalm) which provides for the buyer to pay a premium to the CSPO producer but continue to buy non-certified palm oil.

Take up of CSPO has been disappointingly slow with only about 50% of the certified sustainable palm oil sold. Examples of Australian manufacturers using certified sustainable palm oil currently are few and far between. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) consumer guide lists Robern Menz Choc Honeycomb confectionery and Carotino Classic Canola & Red Palm Oil and Mild and Light oils as the only Australian products using fully segregated certified palm oil as of December 2012.

A number of major retailers and manufacturers have committed to moving to CSPO by 2015 including Coles and Woolworths (in all Coles and Woolworths branded products), Unilever, Arnotts and Nestle. Goodman Fielder has stated it will be moving to Mass Balance sourcing from the beginning of 2014.

Some manufacturers source palm oil from areas other than Indonesia and Malaysia and thus do not impact on orangutan habitat. We are unable to comment on any environmental impacts in the source countries.

Notes of caution:

* Manufacturers may claim to be using sustainable palm oil because they are members of, or supplied by members of, the RSPO. However, this in itself is no guarantee as members only need commit to working towards producing a sustainable product.

* Producers may have some facilities which are supplying certified sustainable palm oil but others which do not fit the criteria. Not all their oil will therefore be sustainable.

BOS Australia’s position on palm oil

BOS Australia’s palm oil policy supports the use of identity preserved and segregated certified sustainable palm oil. We believe its adoption is achievable in the Australian market if sufficient consumer pressure is brought to bear.  We acknowledge that the shift to sustainable production and the RSPO certification process is not without its issues but we believe it remains the most acceptable solution currently available.

What can I do about palm oil?

There are a number of things you can do:

* Check the ingredients – if the product contains palm oil (usually labelled as vegetable oil or fat), check to see if it has the CSPO logo or contact the manufacturer to get details on the oil’s source. If it’s not CSPO, seek an alternative product and let the manufacturer know why you’ve chosen not to buy the product.

* Our palm oil free product list may help you in your buying decisions.

* A number of groups would welcome your support in campaigning for truth in labelling and protection of the rainforest:

Palm Oil Action Group

Melbourne Zoo’s Don’t Palm Us Off

Palm Oil – Products on Australian shelves that contain palm oil

Letters, protest postcards and petitions all play a part in informing the manufacturers and government that the community wants change.

* Inform your family, friends and colleagues of the issue.

 

View the BOS Australia Palm Oil Policy here

(June 2013)

How Can You Help

There are lots of ways you can support orangutans and help ensure the survival of this precious ape.

Adopt an Orangutan

Adopt an Orangutan

Orangutans are endangered and at risk of extinction. Habitat destruction results in hundreds of orphaned orangutans, who rely on our care every year. You can help by adopting one. Their dedicated ‘nannies’ teach them everything they need to know for when it’s time to release them back to the wild. You can follow their progress through Forest School.

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Make a Donation

Make a Donation

Please help the Orangutans in their struggle for survival. Your donation is important and goes directly to BOS Indonesia. By donating, you are helping bring this noble yet endangered species back from the brink of extinction and on a path to freedom - from rescue to rehabilitation and release.

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Visit Our Shop

The perfect gift for any occasion! Choose from our selection of instant gifts that directly support our orangutans. You can buy a wheelbarrow, provide food for an orangutan for two months or lots more. You will receive a certificate, personalised with the name of your choice - perfect gift for you or a friend.

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