UK mulls legislation that would force large companies to clean up their supply chains
On 24 August, the UK said it would start a consultation process on a potential new law that would force big companies to clean up their supply chains by fining them if they used products grown on illegally deforested land.
26 August 2020
5 minute read
By: Reuters reports that PM Boris Johnson, who will host the United Nations’ climate summit in November 2021, has promised to “build back greener” after the coronavirus pandemic. The UK’s economy has shrunk by nearly 20 percent in the second quarter of this year due to COVID-19.
Under the proposed new legislation, larger companies which operate in Britain would need to show that any commodities they used in their supply chain, such as cocoa, rubber, soy and palm oil, are produced in accordance with local laws, or face fines.
The new law would help deter the destruction of rain forest in order to grow agricultural products elsewhere in the world, said the government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a statement, adding that the level of fines would be set at a later date.
"There is a hugely important connection between the products we buy and their wider environmental footprint, which is why the government is consulting today on new measures," said international environment minister Zac Goldsmith.
Many big companies already have sustainable sourcing policies in place for commodities.
Consumer goods giant Unilever, for example, has a commitment to source 100 percent of its palm oil, which is used in cooking, snack foods, soaps and shampoos, from sustainable sources. The consultation will run for six weeks.
