The company has promised to stop using palm oil linked to forest destruction by 2015

Mar 25, 2014 12:15 GMT  ·  By

Yesterday, American multinational consumer products company Colgate-Palmolive issued a press release saying that it was ready and willing to green up its way and cut all ties with forest destruction.

On its website, the company details that, as part of its latest Policy on No Deforestation, Colgate-Palmolive is to make sure that, by 2015, all the palm oil it uses to manufacture the products it markets comes from traceable and sustainable sources alone.

Besides, Colgate-Palmolive promises to pay close attention to where the pulp and paper, soy and soy oil, and beef tallow it uses come from, and achieve zero net deforestation by 2020.

“The policy outlines commitments to responsibly source the forest commodities of pulp and paper, palm oil and derivatives, soy and soy oil and beef tallow and is an integral part of the Company's strategy to combat climate change and biodiversity loss,” the company writes.

Furthermore, “Colgate has joined the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) in pledging to mobilize resources to help achieve zero net deforestation by 2020, and this policy will enable Colgate to fulfill this pledge.”

The goal of this initiative is to protect rainforests that accommodate for a wide range of plant and animal species, protect carbon-dense peatlands, and ensure that the rights of local communities are respected.

The American multinational consumer products company says that, unless its suppliers agree to abide by these new standards, it will cease working with them. This means that Colgate-Palmolive suppliers must either go green, or risk going out of business.

The consumer products company explains that, according to recent reports, the world has lost about 50% of its forests over the past five decades alone.

As a result of the destruction of tropical rainforests and peatlands, several species are now in danger of going extinct, and significant amounts of carbon emissions have worked their way into the planet's atmosphere.

If the world is to even stand a chance at putting a leash on ongoing phenomena such as climate change and global warming, efforts must be made to promote sustainability and curb forest destruction.

Needless to say, Greenpeace members and supporters were quite glad to hear that Colgate-Palmolive agreed to roll out this new Policy on No Deforestation.

The organization was quick to congratulate the company, and took advantage of its announcement to point the finger at Procter & Gamble and criticize it over its refusal to also push for sustainability.

“Today, one of the world’s biggest personal care companies, Colgate-Palmolive, has brushed up its act and promised to make its products free from forest destruction.”

“P&G has no excuses. It can't continue to hide behind vague announcements, supporting initiatives that are proved not to yield solid results. Take action and tell P&G to follow Colgate's lead!” the environmentalists urge.