Gov't should stop deforestation - Unilever

Consumer goods producer Unilever said governments especially in Southeast Asia particularly Indonesia should call for a moratorium on deforestation of tropical rainforest.

Unilever CEO Paul Polman said the destruction of the world's tropical rainforests accounts for about 20% of greenhouse gases, more than the entire transport sector.

"The consumer goods industry must exert pressure on the growers, through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and through buying decisions and commitments to purchase certified sustainable palm oil made available by suppliers."

Unilever said governments, both in the West and in South East Asia, should implement financing mechanisms to encourage affected nations to protect their rainforests.

Palm oil products account for 5% of total agriculture raw material volume Unilever consumed last year. The company plans all palm oil and derivatives used in its products to be sustainably sourced and traceable by 2015.