May 5, 2008 - Unilever says it will begin using certified-sustainable palm oil in its products later this year, with the aim of converting entirely to sustainable sources by 2015.

The palm oil industry formally adopted a set of draft principles for sustainable production in November, including a new green-certification label for palm oil products.

"We use a substantial amount of palm oil and we want to be an agent for positive change," says Unilever CEO Patrick Cescau. "Now we need to take the next step. Suppliers need to move to meet the criteria, by getting certified both the palm oil from their own plantations and the palm oil they buy from elsewhere."

Unilever also supports an immediate moratorium on deforestation for palm oil in Indonesia, according to Cescau, because "we believe it is the right thing to do...for the people...the environment...and for our business and our brands."

Unilever has taken the lead on a number of sustainable-sourcing issues. In May 2007, the company pledged to source all tea for its popular Lipton and PG Tips brands from plantations certified by the Rainforest Alliance.