For the past four years, Efeca has undertaken the responsibility of compiling the UK government’s Annual Consumption Report, which tracks progress towards sourcing 100% credibly certified sustainable palm oil in the UK. This final report marks the culmination of a series of annual reviews initiated to monitor the nation’s adherence to its sustainable palm oil sourcing commitment.
In 2012, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) released the UK Statement on Sustainable Production of Palm Oil. This statement, endorsed by key trade associations, NGOs, and governmental bodies, articulated the ambitious goal of achieving 100% sourcing of credibly certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2015.
Efeca has been commissioned by Defra since 2013 to produce annual progress reports to assess the UK’s journey towards this target. The latest report, covering developments up to 2015, provides a comprehensive analysis of the consumption of sustainable palm oil in the UK over the years.
The findings reveal significant strides in sustainable palm oil adoption in the UK market. In 2009, the volume of palm oil purchases supported by RSPO certification stood at 155,000 metric tonnes. By 2015, this figure had almost tripled to 457,294 metric tonnes. This increase primarily resulted from imports of Segregated and Mass Balance Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO), alongside purchases of GreenPalm certificates. Specifically, Segregated and Mass Balance CSPO imports alone have increased nearly six-fold since 2009, underlining the growing commitment of UK stakeholders towards sustainable sourcing practices.
Looking ahead, while the 2015 report concludes this series of annual reviews, the journey towards sustainable palm oil sourcing continues. The UK’s commitment remains steadfast, supported by ongoing efforts to enhance monitoring mechanisms, strengthen supply chain partnerships, and advocate for sustainable practices across sectors.
For more detailed information and insights from the latest Annual Consumption Report, stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to refer to Efeca’s comprehensive analysis and Defra’s official publications on sustainable palm oil in the UK.