THE WHAT? Beiersdorf has extended its partnership with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and will continue to support the nature conservation organization’s project in West Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island for the coming four years.

THE DETAILS The partnership aims to prevent further conversion of natural forests by promoting the cultivation of sustainable palm oil and improving the living standards of the local smallholders.

Evonik, a palm (kernel) oil supplier for Beiersdorf, will also join the project extension. 

Outlining targets for the project, 200 members of ‘Mitra Bersama’, who jointly own about 300 hectares of land, are to be certified according to the RSPO standard. 

The partners are also striving for smallholders to gain direct market access to a palm oil mill.

THE WHY? According to a press release, “In the long term, Beiersdorf and Evonik have the vision to source palm (kernel) oil derivatives for their products directly from the project region.”

Jean-François Pascal, Vice President Corporate Sustainability at Beiersdorf, said: “Promoting the sustainable cultivation of palm oil and stopping deforestation is an important topic for us. 

“It’s firmly anchored in our CARE BEYOND SKIN Sustainability Agenda and we have made good progress in the past years. We are very pleased to expand our commitment now even further together with WWF and Evonik.”