Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard

APPENDIX 3:
SUSTAINABLE PALM
OIL IN CHINA
AND INDIA
The first steps have been taken
but there is still a long way to go
on the road to sustainability in
these countries.
China
China is the world’s second largest importer of palm oil. The little sustainable palm
oil it imports is driven by demand from multinationals for incorporation into the
goods they manufacture there. Domestic companies have still to make the same
commitments.
However, various efforts are emerging in China, marking small steps toward
sustainable palm oil:
RECENT YEARS HAVE
SEEN A GROWTH IN
AWARENESS ABOUT
SUSTAINABLE PALM
OIL IN CHINA
● Awareness is growing. Recent years have seen a growth in awareness about
sustainable palm oil in China. One result has been the development of a Guide
for Overseas Investment and Production of Sustainable Palm Oil by Chinese
Enterprises led by the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native
Produce (CFNA) as part of a China-UK Collaboration on International Forest
Investment and Trade. A range of roundtable discussions on sustainable palm oil in
China have been facilitated by Solidaridad, WWF and other stakeholders. There are
plans to develop these further into a China Sustainable Palm Oil Alliance.
● Some industry players are taking first steps. Along with increased awareness,
some key domestic palm oil buyers such as COFCO, Julong and Sinograin have
joined the RSPO. Since the last Scorecard was published in 2013, Chinese RSPO
membership has grown from 17 to 52 companies as of 30 June 2016.
● The RSPO has established a presence in China. The RSPO appointed a fulltime
representative at the end of 2015 and work is underway to engage the industry
and other stakeholders.
● Public awareness is increasing. Communication efforts around sustainable
palm oil have included Sustainable Consumption Week, sponsored by the China
Sustainable Retailers Roundtable, and initiated by China Franchise and Chain store
(CCFA) and WWF.
57 WWF PALM OIL BUYERS SCORECARD 2016