Zero Deforestation
We are committed to sourcing in ways that respect and restore nature
Protecting Forests, Preserving Our Future
Forests are essential to life on Earth. From the paper we write on to the coffee we drink, forests play a vital role in our everyday lives. They are home to countless species, support the livelihoods of millions, and are crucial in the fight against climate change — helping to regulate the water cycle, prevent soil erosion, and absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
At Asda, we recognise the importance of forests and the urgent need to protect them. That’s why we’re committed to sourcing forest-risk commodities — such as soy, cocoa, tea, coffee, and palm oil — from areas that are free from deforestation.
Achieving zero deforestation in our supply chains means working towards no legal or illegal deforestation which plays a critical role in reducing Asda’s value chain carbon footprint in line with developing science-based targets and allows us to have a positive impact on global biodiversity, ensuring integrity and resilience within our supply chain both economically and environmentally.
By 2025, we aim to implement a cut-off date of 31st December 2020 for all forest-risk commodity supply chains. This means we will not source from land that has been deforested after this date.
Our approach goes beyond environmental protection., we are committed to:
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Respecting the rights of indigenous and local communities, through the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
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Upholding workers’ rights as part of our broader commitment to responsible sourcing and human rights
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Driving transparency and accountability across our supply chains
Together, we can help ensure forests continue to thrive — for people, for nature, and for generations to come.
Bananas
We achieved our commitment to source bananas that are 100% accredited by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade in 2020.
Cocoa
Cocoa is used in everybody’s favourite product – chocolate! However, its production is often linked to deforestation and child labour.
We have committed to using 100% sustainably sourced cocoa in products that contain more than 12% cocoa by the end of 2025. We ask all suppliers of Asda own brand products containing cocoa to comply with our sustainable Cocoa Policy.
Coffee and Tea
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks consumed worldwide. We achieved our commitment to source Asda own brand coffee (ground and bean), and tea (own brand, excluding flavoured teas), from certified sources in 2021.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is in high demand because it is a useful ingredient for all sorts of products like chocolate, bread, make-up and candles. However, its rapid expansion in the past decades has been linked to severe environmental and social challenges in producing countries, such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, land rights controversies and poor labour conditions. However, more palm oil can be produced from the same amount of land than any other equivalent vegetable oil crop. So instead of boycotting palm oil, we’re working through the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil and with NGOs, growers, suppliers and governments to develop sustainability standards for its production.
We are working towards sourcing our palm oil from verified deforestation free sources by end of 2025.
We’re members of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and as part of the Retailers Palm Oil Group sponsor a RSPO board representative.
Soy
Soy (or soya) has become an important source of nutritious protein. We mainly consume it via meat products (it is a common feed in mass livestock production). But it’s also increasingly part of plant-based diets and is used in cooking oil, biofuel and cosmetics. With global demand for meat still increasing, soy production has risen significantly, increasing pressure on forests and fragile ecosystems. We don’t want to contribute to deforestation or the loss of other valuable habitats, so we have a clear transition plan.
**In 2024 68% of our ASDA branded soy footprint was certified schemes benchmarked against the FEFAC sourcing guidelines (Segregated, Mass-Balance or Credits) or from low-risk origin. **In more detail 32% of our footprint had no certification in place, 6% is verified deforestation and conversion free, 50% is in transition with 12% supported by other certification.
In collaboration with our supply base, we are working towards sourcing our soya from verified deforestation free sources by no later than 2025. We’re asking our suppliers to report on progress each year and cascade these requirements throughout their supply base.
This isn’t something that we can solve on our own so we are working in partnership to try and address soy sustainability; we are members of the Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS), which works with the industry to promote responsible soybean production. We are also a member of the UK Soy Roundtable .
To understand our use of soya we first have to measure it. At Asda we calculate our direct soya usage e.g. soya flour and beans and our indirect usage for things like animal feed where our suppliers are working towards certification
Timber, Paper and Pulp
As global demand for timber continues to grow, so does our responsibility to protect the world’s forests. At Asda, we’re increasing our use of responsibly sourced forestry products — helping to safeguard natural ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods.
In 2024, we have maintained our momentum, reaching over 99% certification Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) in our non-edible grocery range.
Certification plays a vital role in our journey toward zero deforestation. To strengthen this commitment, we strive to maintain 100% certification by:
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Enhancing our Timber, Paper & Pulp Sourcing Standards
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Engaging with stakeholders across our supply chains
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Aligning with emerging UK and EU deforestation regulations
Under these regulations, “deforestation-free” means that wood must be harvested without causing forest degradation after 31 December 2020.