05/08/2011 (Borneo Post) - The world’s major consumer market, the US has made significant headway in a multi stakeholder initiative, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), that aims to promote the growth and use of sustainable palm oil in the world.

Three US headquartered global companies, retailer Walmart, confectionery producer The Hershey Company (Hershey) and financial services leader Citigroup recently became members of RSPO, joining the organisation’s 650 member organisations from 50 countries around the globe.

Currently, the US sits as the seventh largest membership base in the RSPO represented by a broad spectrum of industries from consumer goods manufacturers, cosmetics; processors and traders; financial sector; retailers; and non-governmental organisations.

Darrel Webber, secretary general of RSPO in welcoming Walmart, The Hershey Company and Citigroup said, “Developments such as this that mark the entry of very established businesses only further fortifies our conviction that not only is change possible, it is inevitable. The RSPO applauds Walmart, The Hershey Company and Citigroup for the determination and commitment towards the goal of promoting sustainable palm oil,” said Webber.

With the recent launch of the trademark, RSPO completed its aspiration to involve the entire supply chain by reaching out to the consumer. Webber further emphasised on the significance of American consumers as contributors in RSPO’s global drive for certified sustainable palm oil. Just within this year in the past six months, the RSPO saw its membership portfolio increas by close to 20 per cent from organisations across stakeholder groups and countries around the globe.

“This increasing and expanding diversity within the RSPO, allows us to further comprehend and empathise with the various dynamics and challenges while celebrating the attainments within the sustainable palm oil arena.” Webber concluded.