In April, RSPO participated in key events in China to promote the uptake of sustainable palm oil in the retail and cosmetics industries.
To affirm its commitment to sustainable development, China recently announced that it would aim to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. The country’s 14th Five-Year Plan has established clearer indicators and directions for practitioners involved in green development. In line with this, several new ideas about the sustainable development of retail franchises have emerged, and industry professionals are increasingly calling for major platforms to build consensus, share knowledge, and exchange practical experiences to better meet the new requirements for sustainable development.
As China is the second largest consumer of palm oil, which is used in all aspects of production and consumption, more Chinese companies are actively pushing for the procurement of forest-friendly products, and implementing environmentally responsible practices.
In April, the Yangtze River Delta became the backdrop of major events spotlighting sustainable development. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) participated in these key conferences where it examined the status quo of the palm oil industry, explored innovative ideas, and made its voice heard on the sustainability stage.
China Sustainable Consumption Roundtable（CSCR）2021 — Empowering supply chains with sustainable development
On 23- 24 April, the China Sustainable Consumption Roundtable (CSCR) 2021 was successfully held in Hangzhou. As one of the observers of the CSCR, RSPO has been playing an active role in the implementation of green procurement by retail franchises. For several years, RSPO has organised and planned promotional activities centred around the environment and consumer education, together with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other organisations. As a result, public awareness on deforestation caused by certain commodities and the subsequent risks posed to sustainable development has increased. According to WWF’s consumer survey in China in 2020, there has likewise been an increase of public awareness of RSPO, from just 5% in 2015 to 21% in 2020. Survey data also shows that 33% of consumers have indicated that they are willing to pay a certain premium to purchase sustainable products.
Following the announcement of the roadmap for gradually making sustainable palm oil the norm in the market at the Chinese National Retail Congress in 2020, RSPO continued to participate as an observer at the CSCR this year, and discussed how sustainability standards are used to empower supply chains in the post-pandemic era and help realise the green and sustainable development of enterprises.
RSPO will continue to work with other CSCR members to explore even more important issues, exchange ideas, and firmly promote the adoption and practice of sustainable development.
RSPO delivered the keynote speech at the International Cosmetics Innovation Focus (ICIF) 2021
As the world slowly recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, consumption levels are improving and younger generations are emerging as major consumers. The cosmetics industry is mirroring this steady recovery and rapid development, and as such, industry leaders are focusing on accelerating innovation and sustainable development.
Against this background, the International Cosmetics Innovation Focus (ICIF) 2021 was held in Shanghai on 28-29 April, focused on new industries, new raw materials and new trends. The event likewise established an information-sharing platform for the cosmetics industry.
As a special guest speaker, RSPO delivered the keynote speech entitled, "RSPO Boosts the Value of Product Supply Chains and Promotes the Sustainable Green Development of Companies", facilitating a cross-sector dialogue with the cosmetics industry. RSPO examined current consumer behaviours in their purchasing habits. A report surveying 400 samples from Northeast Asian markets states, "When consumers consider purchasing cosmetics, about 91.5% of consumers’ primary decisive factors in purchasing is the raw material of the product". The sustainability of the product's ingredients in its formula is also the main factor considered. As an important ingredient in cosmetic care products, sustainable palm oil not only meets the needs of consumers, but also helps companies contribute to a balanced, long-term sustainable development of the environment, economy and society.
With increasing awareness of sustainable palm oil and the practice of sustainability by domestic companies, more and more personal care and cosmetics companies have joined the RSPO family. RSPO saw a 160% increase in membership in the 2019-2021 fiscal year, a large part of which comprised the cosmetics industry.
Looking ahead, RSPO is confident that together with Chinese enterprises and consumers, it will continue to promote the development of sustainable palm oil and achieve a healthier, greener and better future.
