Global cities move to regulate consumption of palm oil

Last month, an alliance of NGOs and industry associations (including the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) in the UK signed the Amsterdam Commitment to support 100% sustainable palm oil in Europe by 2020. Cities are now bidding to become the world’s first Sustainable Palm Oil City as part of a major conservation campaign by UK's Chester Zoo to protect South East Asian rainforests. Orangutans are among the many species being pushed to the brink of extinction by oil palm plantations, which are wiping out huge areas of rainforest. There is intense demand for the oil, which features in thousands of household products from food to cleaning materials and cosmetics. Conservationists are battling to promote sustainable palm oil production to protect the rainforests and the wide range of species that live there. Chester-based restaurant Chez Jules is the first to commit to the project and has already adopted a palm oil policy and audited its supply chain. Conservationists are hoping that a range of businesses will join the initiative – from restaurants, cafes, hotels and fast food outlets to workplaces that offer staff catering services; schools and education providers; council and hospitals food outlets; other visitor attractions; manufacturers and retailers.