14 November 2014: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) signed an agreement to increase awareness of certified sustainable palm oil production in an effort to shift the global market away from unsustainable supplies. The agreement will support national and regional efforts to shift to a sustainable supply of palm oil, a commitment already made by the governments of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK).

In signing the agreement, it was noted that palm oil can be found in about half of all consumer goods with most of this supply coming from Indonesia and Malaysia, with production expanding in equatorial Africa. The agreement also notes that there is a significant opportunity to promote sustainable palm oil through industry action as a number of private companies have committed to sustainable palm oil sourcing. The RSPO already boasts 1,800 industry members.

The agreement commits UNEP and the RSPO to a framework of understanding to promote the transition to a sustainable palm oil market as well as actions to increase awareness of the value of sustainable production, including as a contribution to the achievement of the post-2015 development agenda. [UNEP Press Release] [UNEP Video: Palm Oil]