A few weeks ago Greenpeace announced a campaign to lobby Unilever, the producers of the popular Dove beauty brand. Greenpeace offered a comprehensive report showing how Unilever's purchase of palm oil was contributing to the destruction of the Indonesian rainforest. The organization wasn't asking for a ban of Unilever products, but instead encouraged individuals to contact the company and pressure them to take action.

It appears Unilever heard the message loud and clear and announced shortly afterward that they would support a moratorium to protect the rainforest. Now Greenpeace is working with the company to hammer out details of the agreement, however the organization says that since Unilever represents only three per cent of palm oil buyers, the real work is just beginning. The moratorium on forest destruction in South East Asia will require a lot more support before it becomes effective. Unilever has not only committed to pressuring their Indonesian suppliers to stop destroying the rainforest, but they are also recruiting a group of allies to support the initiative and will approach other major companies including Kraft, Nestle, Proctor & Gamble and Cadburys.

Greenpeace will be holding Unilever accountable over the next few months and both will lobby other companies for support on the moratorium. Next up will be the World Palm Oil Summit, where they will speak about the need for buyers and suppliers to work together to change the palm oil industry.

Stay tuned...

» Greenpeace