Deforestation Free Commodities
We are campaigning for a sustainable way forward for key commodities including soy and palm oil
Our mission is preventing extinction, and a big part of that is aiming to be a major force in conserving biodiversity worldwide.
At Chester Zoo, the strength of our voice and the breadth of our audiences means we can open eyes to the environmental challenges that face our planet and empower people to be part of the solution.
We carry out work directly in habitats around the world affected by unsustainable aggricultural production. Our conservation work in South East Asia has been going on for over 15 years, working with partners such as HUTAN to study and address habitat issues caused by palm oil, including the effects on Bornean orangutans.
Originally focusing on palm oil production, we have extended our work to include other commodities associated with forest loss in ecologically sensitive parts of the world.
We are working on multiple fronts to champion deforestation free commodities by both monitoring the situation in the field and by supporting consumers to make more informed choices.
Our deforestation free commodities work
So, what exactly is palm oil, when does its production become a problem, and how is sustainable palm oil different? Find out more here
Our position on palm oil
We recognise the importance of the palm oil industry to the economy in developing countries and acknowledge that as the cheapest, most high yielding and versatile vegetable oil on the market, transforming the market to a sustainable and traceable supply of palm oil is the most responsible path.
We believe boycotting palm oil would increase demand for other less efficient edible oils and have negative environmental impacts elsewhere.
Creating a market for Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) is the first step to ensuring that the palm oil industry impacts as little as possible on the biodiversity of the regions it is grown in.