Unilever wakes up to palm oil harm

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch company which produces some of the world’s best known consumer brands including Timotei, Dove, Pond’s and Sunsilk toiletries, Flora and Stork margarine, Persil washing powder and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream have said that they will stop dealing with Sinar Mas, a Indonesia company which is accused of clearing rainforests in restricted areas to plant palm oil plantations. It is alleged that Unilever had seen photographic evidence of Sinar Mar’s activities two years ago but only took action when Greenpeace was about to release a dossier of evidence damning the company.  Unilever said that they had been trying to work with Sinar Mas to improve their practices although accepted that this approach had failed. The growth in palm oil production has made Indonesia the world’s third largest emitter of CO2 after the USA and China and deforestation contributes 15-20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as well as destroying the habit of many animals including the orang-utan. Only 15% of palm oil is certified as sustainably produced.The Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6952288.ece[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]