Avon Palm Oil Promise

Another issue impacting deforestation is the rapid expansion in the production of palm oil, driven by an increase in global demand for the ingredient for use in a variety of industries. Development of new palm oil plantations has resulted in the destruction and conversion of large areas of tropical forests and peatlands, especially in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, the source of 85 percent of the world’s palm oil, where the indigenous forests and peat lands are vital to the ecosystem.

Though more than 80 percent of palm oil is used in food, it is also one of the natural oils used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Palm oil is produced from the fruit flesh of palm trees which grow in tropical regions.  It is the most efficient source of oil per hectare of cultivated land by a significant margin, followed by coconut, which produces less than half as much oil per hectare.  Palm oil is the most produced vegetable oil in the world in terms of production, with approximately 46 million tons per year, and palm kernel oil, derived from the palm fruit kernel, is an additional 5 million tons per year. 

In response to the urgent and pressing global call for sustainable palm oil production, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004 with the objective of promoting the growth and use of sustainable palm oil products through credible global sustainability standards developed through involvement of all stakeholders.

Although Avon is not a significant user of palm oil, the company recognizes the threat palm oil production poses and is committed to playing a leadership role and driving influence within its sphere. In March 2011, Avon adopted the Avon Palm Oil Promise, which outlines the company's guidelines for purchasing sustainably sourced palm oil.

The goals are to:

• Help drive demand for sustainable palm oil
• Increase the supply for sustainable palm oil
• Help maintain biodiversity and habitat for endangered species
• Support the current moratorium on the conversion of primary forests and peatland into palm oil plantations

Avon joined the RSPO to help continue the development, implementation and verification of credible global standards for sustainable palm oil.  Through the Palm Oil Promise, Avon has become the first major beauty company to commit to 100 percent RSPO-certified palm oil through "book and claim" certificates designed to advance the production of sustainable palm oil.

In 2011, Avon will have supported 13,000 metric tons of sustainable palm kernel oil production through the purchase of "book and claim" certificates which were estimated to be equivalent to 100 percent of the palm kernel oil and palm kernel oil derivatives it used in 2010.

Avon Palm Oil Promise: Complete Text

I. VISION & PREAMBLE

At Avon Products, Inc. we believe business is responsible for "contributing to the well-being of society and the environments in which it operates," as stated in our founding principles of 1886, and also for taking a leadership role where it can have positive influence on environmental and social issues relevant to its stakeholders.

Avon has worked internally to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, including the issues of energy consumption, water, waste, recycling, greenhouse gas emissions and paper use, along with a commitment to green building design. Externally, Avon has created the Hello Green Tomorrow program to empower and mobilize a "green army" to help end deforestation through fundraising and education, following the successful model of the company's leadership in the causes of breast cancer and domestic violence.

The issue of palm oil provides an opportunity for Avon to make a difference. Palm oil production has come under criticism for destroying rain forests and peatland across Southeast Asia, leading to habitat destruction and high carbon emissions. Although more than 80 percent of palm oil is used for food products, it is also one of many natural oils used in personal care products. While Avon is not a significant user of palm oil, the company has made the commitment to take a leadership position by purchasing GreenPalm certificates covering 100 percent of its global palm oil use. This will help drive demand for sustainable palm oil, increase the supply for sustainable palm oil, and help maintain biodiversity and habitat for endangered species.

GreenPalm is a certificate trading program endorsed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which seeks to increase the sustainable production of palm oil. In support of this commitment, Avon has joined the RSPO (http://rspo.org/) to help continue the development, implementation and verification of credible global standards for sustainable palm oil.

In line with our commitment to raising awareness and driving positive environmental and social change, Avon has developed the Palm Oil Promise, which comprises corporate guidelines for purchasing sustainably sourced palm oil.

II. THE PALM OIL PROMISE

The Avon Palm Oil Promise ensures that:

• Avon will source sustainable palm oil through the purchase of "book and claim" certificates estimated to be equivalent to 100 percent of the palm oil and palm oil derivatives it uses.
• Avon supports the current moratorium on the conversion of primary forests and peatland into palm oil plantations.

For more information visit www.hellogreentomorrow.com