The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations and institutions, has extended the availability of PalmOil Scan to New Zealand and Australia.
The launch has been announced by the WAZA Palm Oil Subcommittee, together with member institutions Auckland Zoo representing New Zealand, and Zoos South Australia representing Australia.
The PalmOil Scan mobile app is a vital project that explains the importance of palm oil to zoos and aquariums and gives users the tools they need to make sustainable choices. By scanning a product’s barcode, customers can use the app to find out if the manufacturer is dedicated to sourcing Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO).
Dr Martín Zordan, WAZA CEO, comments: “Since 2017 WAZA has been committed to promoting the use of CSPO. We recognise the role that choosing wisely on this matter has in conserving biodiversity and reducing deforestation across some of the most unique tropical regions of the world. Over the years, we have been working to encourage the use of sustainable palm oil among our members.
“The need to empower consumers and facilitate behaviour change is vital and companies must realise that there is a demand for CSPO products. It is only when consumers are aware and empowered that they can demand more sustainable alternatives and influence change.”
PalmOil Scan can be downloaded from the App Store, Google Play, and the WAZA palm oil website.
Crucial initiative
Manufacturers’ dedication to sustainable palm oil is graded as “No Commitment,” “Poor,” “Good,” or “Excellent”. This tool illustrates the power of purchasing decisions and shows how users can choose to support sustainable palm oil through their buying choices. Users of the app can also contact Administrators with any questions they may have regarding a business, and use the Keyword Search feature to look for products based on key descriptive phrases.
With the inclusion of these new countries, PalmOil Scan is now available in the UK through Chester Zoo, in the USA, and Canada through Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, in New Zealand through Auckland Zoo, and in Australia through Zoos South Australia.
WAZA members can serve as app administrators, reviewing the sourcing commitments of businesses in their regions which use palm oil.
PalmOil Scan is WAZA’s most recent contribution to its work to promote the use of sustainable palm oil among its members. In 2017, WAZA and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a framework for furthering their mutual goals and objectives. WAZA also published a Short Guide and a website to assist members in making the switch to certified sustainable palm oil.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), revealed the winners of the WAZA Conservation Award, Environment Sustainability Award and Heini Hediger Award last month. The awards recognised WAZA members’ accomplishments in conservation, sustainability, and individual professional excellence.
