PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Nine of Europe’s largest retailers have been recognized as top performers in the RSPO Shared Responsibility Scorecard, an assessment that measures Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) members’ commitment to shared responsibility in advancing sustainable palm oil.
According to European Supermarket Magazine (19 August 2025), the retailers include Marks & Spencer, Edeka, John Lewis Partnership, IKEA, Greggs, Bidfood, Co-op, Lidl, and REWE. They earned the highest rankings thanks to their strong commitments to sourcing and promoting Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO).
RSPO emphasized that all members share a responsibility to support sustainable palm oil. While producers must comply with RSPO standards in cultivation practices, non-producer members — such as retailers — are expected to drive demand for CSPO. For retailers, the Scorecard evaluates five key areas: transparency and legality, social responsibility, environmental stewardship, financial contributions, and CSPO uptake.
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Company Commitments
- Marks & Spencer: Achieved 100% CSPO uptake and funded a field program in Sabah, Malaysia, supporting 500 smallholders to maintain certification, with an additional 133 smallholders on track to achieve RSPO certification by 2025.
- Edeka: Sourced 99.97% CSPO and joined the German Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP), working with WWF Germany to build sustainable palm supply chains.
- John Lewis Partnership: Alongside 100% CSPO uptake, encouraged suppliers to set time-bound commitments toward sustainable palm oil sourcing.
- IKEA: Primarily uses palm oil in candle production, sourcing exclusively RSPO-segregated certified palm oil to ensure responsible cultivation and processing.
- Greggs: Secured 100% CSPO supply and became a partner in the UK’s Sustainable Palm Oil City Project.
- Bidfood UK: All palm-based own-brand catering products are 100% RSPO certified, reinforcing its commitment to positive change.
- Co-op: With 100% CSPO uptake, partnered with Chester Zoo to reforest 50,000 trees, conduct biodiversity research on former plantation land, and support smallholders in Malaysia through Solidaridad.
- Lidl: Engaged in a smallholder project in Indonesia with FONAP, covering environmental training, cultivation technology, geolocation data collection, and women’s empowerment.
- REWE: Ensured 100% RSPO-certified palm oil for all private-label products under REWE, PENNY, and Lekkerland in Germany, as well as REWE Group Austria. REWE has also been a founding member of FONAP since 2013.
Driving Momentum in Europe
RSPO data shows that by 2024, around 67% of retail members had met their commitments to increase CSPO uptake. These initiatives highlight the crucial role European retailers play in pushing global supply chains toward sustainability.
The next RSPO Shared Responsibility Scorecard report is scheduled for release in September, offering members another opportunity to showcase progress in transforming the palm oil industry. (P2)
