Reducing UK Consumers Forest Footprint in Imports
Malaysia’s actions for sustainable palm oil provides way forward but lacks consumer awareness
- “The lungs of the world are collapsing at an alarming rate: EAC urges Government to act with urgency to tackle global deforestation” according to the Committees at UK Parliament
- Food Service Footprint covered the report from the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) which “found that consumption patterns in the UK are currently unsustainable, with the nation’s appetite for commodities including soy, cocoa, palm oil, beef and leather putting enormous pressure on forests.
- The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) made its recommendations to tackle deforestation with recommendations including global agreements and a shift away from “deforestation-free” to capacity building in third countries to bolster measures to address deforestation activity.
Malaysia must continue to position itself as global leader in sustainability. New Straits Times
Deforestation Regulations Bit Off More than they can chew
Truth be said, the ambitions of the UK and the European Union to reduce the forest footprints of their consumers is overly ambitious, especially for the European Union. Yet the UK and the EU, are justified in targeting popular foods for their citizens. This report from the Visual Capitalist, listed cocoa and coffee among the top five foods with the largest environmental impact, with animal products in the mix.
According to news reports, producing countries of cocoa and coffee in Africa are concerned.
Ugandan news media reported that exports of Ugandan coffee, cococa and palm oil will be rejected by the EU if they are grown in forested areas.
Reuters reported that “Importers of coffee to the European Union are starting to scale back purchases from small farmers in Africa and beyond as they prepare for a landmark EU law that will ban the sale of goods linked to the destruction of forests, a cause of climate change..”
But it is not only coffee that is being named as a cause of deforestation in tropical countries. Cacao, the main ingredient of all chocolates, has been identified as a cause of deforestation since it made the list of commodities targeted by the EU and the UK.
The Associated Press investigation into cocoa’s deforestation in Nigeria implicated global brands like Mars Inc. and Ferrero.
Those companies supply Nigerian cocoa to some of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers including Mars Inc. and Ferrero, but because the chocolate supply chain is so complex and opaque, it’s not clear if cocoa from deforested parts of Omo Forest Reserve makes it into the sweets that they make, such as Snickers, M&Ms, Butterfinger and Nutella. Mars and Ferrero list farming sources on their websites that are close to or overlap with the forest but do not provide specific locations.
In her recent report on what will impact Nigerian agriculture in 2024, Josephine Okojie, reported the EUDR as a major problem for Nigeria’s exports.
Africa’s most populous country is currently making efforts to see that cocoa beans destined for the EU market comply with the deforestation law, but such efforts must be rapid to make progress or the bulk of its export to the region may be rejected.
Her report repeats what Ange Aboa wrote for REUTERS in addressing the problems faced by the Ivory Coast, to meet EUDR demands.
The head of the West African country's cocoa regulator, the Cocoa Coffee Council (CCC), Yves Brahima Kone, said Ivory Coast was on track even as he bemoaned the lack of financial support from buyers.
"They (the EU) need to know that we are doing what is necessary and possible. We have limited financial means which prevents us from going as fast as they want,"
In stark contrast, Ethiopia, with funding from the UNDP and GEF, is launching a forest and sustainability program for its coffee production under FOLUR.
“Preventing Forest Loss, Promoting Restoration, and Integrating Sustainability into Ethiopia’s Coffee Value Chains & Food Systems,” the project is designed to prevent deforestation, promote reforestation and provide market support for Ethiopian coffee producers.
The goals of Ethiopia’s FOLUR, can already be seen in sustainability initiatives for Malaysia’s palm oil industry which has a decade long head start with the introduction of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standards. The standards have a key element to differentiate itself from other certification schemes. This would be the Malaysian government’s commitment to producing its palm oil, free of deforestation.
The preemptive move by Malaysia to produce its palm oil under a sustainability standard, is best explained by Dr Ahmad Parveez, DG of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board who said in reference to China’s import of palm oil:
“We want the positive image for Malaysian palm oil to be spread in China… one day, it won’t be surprising that buyers in China will demand sustainable palm oil. When that time comes, we are already there.”
It is this level of assurance that will help to assuage the concerns of British consumers who fear the tariff free import of Malaysian palm oil, will make a mockery of the UK’s climate goals or false alarms on environmental destruction.
Marketing And Communicating To The Global Majority. Words Needed For Environmental Action Taken
A clear winner of Malaysia’s proactive move to produce palm oil sustainably, will be British consumers who faced the loss of their favorite fish and chips shops due to high costs of cooking oils.
Brian Monteith addressed the issue well in saying:
Now that the UK has signed the CPTPP agreement with eleven Pacific countries we can import palm oil from Malaysia tariff free – another Brexit bonus – as that’s what the agreement allows. Why is that important? It matters because Malaysian Palm Oil is a cheaper alternative to Sunflower Oil and is environmentally more sensible.
Monteith’s claim that Malaysian palm oil is environmentally more sensible, is supported by Malaysia’s commitment to deforestation-free palm oil and the actions of the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) which is funding biodiversity programs across Malaysia.
These actions by the Malaysian government should have been enough to convince observers, that these actions driving its intentions and values of producing palm oil sustainably, are true.
Unfortunately for the Malaysia palm oil industry, in this age of the internet, words seem to matter more than actions. An online search using the words “UK CPTPP palm oil sunflower oil” had Google show the following results.
Truth be said, the ambitions of the UK and the European Union to reduce the forest footprints of their consumers is overly ambitious, especially for the European Union. Yet the UK and the EU, are justified in targeting popular foods for their citizens. This report from the Visual Capitalist, listed cocoa and coffee among the top five foods with the largest environmental impact, with animal products in the mix.
According to news reports, producing countries of cocoa and coffee in Africa are concerned.
Ugandan news media reported that exports of Ugandan coffee, cococa and palm oil will be rejected by the EU if they are grown in forested areas.
Reuters reported that “Importers of coffee to the European Union are starting to scale back purchases from small farmers in Africa and beyond as they prepare for a landmark EU law that will ban the sale of goods linked to the destruction of forests, a cause of climate change..”
But it is not only coffee that is being named as a cause of deforestation in tropical countries. Cacao, the main ingredient of all chocolates, has been identified as a cause of deforestation since it made the list of commodities targeted by the EU and the UK.
The Associated Press investigation into cocoa’s deforestation in Nigeria implicated global brands like Mars Inc. and Ferrero.
Those companies supply Nigerian cocoa to some of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers including Mars Inc. and Ferrero, but because the chocolate supply chain is so complex and opaque, it’s not clear if cocoa from deforested parts of Omo Forest Reserve makes it into the sweets that they make, such as Snickers, M&Ms, Butterfinger and Nutella. Mars and Ferrero list farming sources on their websites that are close to or overlap with the forest but do not provide specific locations.
In her recent report on what will impact Nigerian agriculture in 2024, Josephine Okojie, reported the EUDR as a major problem for Nigeria’s exports.
Africa’s most populous country is currently making efforts to see that cocoa beans destined for the EU market comply with the deforestation law, but such efforts must be rapid to make progress or the bulk of its export to the region may be rejected.
Her report repeats what Ange Aboa wrote for REUTERS in addressing the problems faced by the Ivory Coast, to meet EUDR demands.
The head of the West African country's cocoa regulator, the Cocoa Coffee Council (CCC), Yves Brahima Kone, said Ivory Coast was on track even as he bemoaned the lack of financial support from buyers.
"They (the EU) need to know that we are doing what is necessary and possible. We have limited financial means which prevents us from going as fast as they want,"
In stark contrast, Ethiopia, with funding from the UNDP and GEF, is launching a forest and sustainability program for its coffee production under FOLUR.
“Preventing Forest Loss, Promoting Restoration, and Integrating Sustainability into Ethiopia’s Coffee Value Chains & Food Systems,” the project is designed to prevent deforestation, promote reforestation and provide market support for Ethiopian coffee producers.
The goals of Ethiopia’s FOLUR, can already be seen in sustainability initiatives for Malaysia’s palm oil industry which has a decade long head start with the introduction of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standards. The standards have a key element to differentiate itself from other certification schemes. This would be the Malaysian government’s commitment to producing its palm oil, free of deforestation.
The preemptive move by Malaysia to produce its palm oil under a sustainability standard, is best explained by Dr Ahmad Parveez, DG of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board who said in reference to China’s import of palm oil:
“We want the positive image for Malaysian palm oil to be spread in China… one day, it won’t be surprising that buyers in China will demand sustainable palm oil. When that time comes, we are already there.”
It is this level of assurance that will help to assuage the concerns of British consumers who fear the tariff free import of Malaysian palm oil, will make a mockery of the UK’s climate goals or false alarms on environmental destruction.
Marketing And Communicating To The Global Majority. Words Needed For Environmental Action Taken
A clear winner of Malaysia’s proactive move to produce palm oil sustainably, will be British consumers who faced the loss of their favorite fish and chips shops due to high costs of cooking oils.
Brian Monteith addressed the issue well in saying:
Now that the UK has signed the CPTPP agreement with eleven Pacific countries we can import palm oil from Malaysia tariff free – another Brexit bonus – as that’s what the agreement allows. Why is that important? It matters because Malaysian Palm Oil is a cheaper alternative to Sunflower Oil and is environmentally more sensible.
Monteith’s claim that Malaysian palm oil is environmentally more sensible, is supported by Malaysia’s commitment to deforestation-free palm oil and the actions of the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) which is funding biodiversity programs across Malaysia.
These actions by the Malaysian government should have been enough to convince observers, that these actions driving its intentions and values of producing palm oil sustainably, are true.
Unfortunately for the Malaysia palm oil industry, in this age of the internet, words seem to matter more than actions. An online search using the words “UK CPTPP palm oil sunflower oil” had Google show the following results.
Richard C. whose opinion was ranked top by Google, is oblivious to the fact that Malaysia has made enormous efforts to produce its palm oil sustainably.
How important is it, for Malaysia to inform British consumers like Richard C., properly?
Akshat Rashi who writes for Bloomberg, reported on the issue of trust building and climate change that "among the top worries for world leaders is misinformation and disinformation."
How important is it, for Malaysia to inform British consumers like Richard C., properly?
Akshat Rashi who writes for Bloomberg, reported on the issue of trust building and climate change that "among the top worries for world leaders is misinformation and disinformation."
As the UK government launches a public engagement on the CPTPP, it is crucial that Malaysia adds words, to its actions for sustainable palm oil so that British consumers can enjoy their fish and chips affordably and responsibly, fried in Malaysian palm oil.
Malaysian palm oil under CPTPP A Crucial Case Study
Malaysia can continue to lead the pack on producing palm oil sustainably with meaningful actions but changing the psyche of British consumers will require more than action.
According to marketing consultant Kian Bakhtiari, founder of media company, The People
Culture is shaped by words, images and signs transmitted from London, Paris and New York. Marketing penetrates our collective psyche. It can create norms, change minds and generate demand. But it can also promote human rights, sustainable development and collective action. Like a pen, it can be wielded to spread love or hate.
Having established credible actions to produce its palm oil sustainably, it maybe insulting to Malaysia that its costly actions in producing palm oil responsibly, is being rubbished by idle hands. Yet if its actions into producing palm oil sustainably is to lead the global goals for sustainability, Malaysia will need to add more words to its actions in order to overcome the anti-palm oil narrative.
Published January 2024-CSPO Watch
Malaysian palm oil under CPTPP A Crucial Case Study
Malaysia can continue to lead the pack on producing palm oil sustainably with meaningful actions but changing the psyche of British consumers will require more than action.
According to marketing consultant Kian Bakhtiari, founder of media company, The People
Culture is shaped by words, images and signs transmitted from London, Paris and New York. Marketing penetrates our collective psyche. It can create norms, change minds and generate demand. But it can also promote human rights, sustainable development and collective action. Like a pen, it can be wielded to spread love or hate.
Having established credible actions to produce its palm oil sustainably, it maybe insulting to Malaysia that its costly actions in producing palm oil responsibly, is being rubbished by idle hands. Yet if its actions into producing palm oil sustainably is to lead the global goals for sustainability, Malaysia will need to add more words to its actions in order to overcome the anti-palm oil narrative.
Published January 2024-CSPO Watch
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