The Sustainable Palm Oil Communities project is a behaviour change campaign launched by Chester Zoo which aims to increase the use of sustainable palm oil across different sectors of society.
When palm oil is produced unsustainably, it is linked to many negative environmental impacts including deforestation, which is one of the major key drivers of habitat loss and climate change.
As a result, this campaign advocates for sustainable palm oil which is grown in a way that protects rainforests and prevents further deforestation. By choosing to buy and sell products that contain sustainable palm oil you are increasing demand and helping to protect wildlife and habitats all over the world.
In 2019, Chester became the first ever Sustainable Palm Oil City and there are now six other communities across the UK working towards this goal.
Catch up on our virtual event to hear from our sustainable palm oil champions and learn all about our sustainable palm oil communities project, direct from our experts.
Chester Zoo’s Sustainable Palm Oil Communities programme recently featured in a major new BBC wildlife series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough and His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge. The prestigious BBC One documentary, The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet, explored the most innovative and ambitious actions being taken to protect global biodiversity, and the brilliant minds working on solutions to save the planet.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
To become a Sustainable Palm Oil Community, businesses in the area must make a change from using unsustainable to sustainable palm oil and commit to sourcing 100% sustainable palm oil in the future. This can be anything from the meals a restaurant sells, to the products a hairdresser uses.
Each community has a target number of businesses to bring on board which has been carefully calculated based on the size of the community. When a community reaches their target they will be declared a Sustainable Palm Oil Community!
CAN MY BUSINESS BECOME A CHAMPION?
Yes! If you serve food, through a staff canteen, meals for clients or even vending machines, you have the power to make a change, however big or small your company is! If you don’t serve food you can still get involved by checking your cleaning products! Don’t worry if you don’t know how to check your palm oil usage – we can help!
Champions are organised into five categories called ‘Star Categories’
Star 1: Hospitality (Hotels, restaurants etc)
Star 2: Workplaces (Travel agencies, legal firms etc)
Star 3: Schools, Universities and Hospitals
Star 4: Leisure Facilities and Visitor Attractions
Star 5: Manufacturers and Retailers
If you are not sure where you fit, get in touch!
Take a look below at our current communities and see if you could become a Sustainable Palm Oil Champion in your area! The stars underneath each community name shows how many ‘Star Categories’ this community has completed and how close they are to becoming a Sustainable Palm Oil Community!
If you are national company with premises across the United Kingdom or an individual with an engaged audience, you could be eligible to become a Sustainable Palm Oil Communities Ambassador.
Together we can transform the market and protect habitats across the world.
Meet our Sustainable Palm Oil Communities…
Oxford, England
NOW is the time to ACT FOR WILDLIFE. Conservation is CRITICAL; species are under threat. TOGETHER we can make a BIG difference. Take action TODAY and join us in PREVENTING EXTINCTION.