As You Sow Commends Costco's Commitment to Address Deforestation Risks in Avocado Supply Chain
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Ryon Harms, [email protected], (310) 730-9407
EL CERRITO, CA – December 4, 2015 – This week, Costco Wholesale Corporation introduced new commitments in its 2025 sustainability report aimed at reducing deforestation risks in its avocado supply chain. The move comes after As You Sow withdrew a shareholder proposal calling for greater transparency into the company’s supplier due-diligence efforts."
In Costco’s latest sustainability report, the company announced significant steps to combat illegal deforestation linked to avocado sourcing, particularly from high-risk regions. The retailer committed to diversifying sourcing away from areas with the highest deforestation risk while expanding third-party certification requirements for suppliers.
"Costco's commitment to tackle deforestation in its avocado supply chain represents meaningful progress on an urgent environmental risk," said Elizabeth Levy, Biodiversity Program Coordinator at As You Sow. "Avocado production has been linked to significant forest loss in Mexico and other regions, threatening biodiversity and contributing to climate change. We're encouraged to see Costco taking concrete action."
Key elements of Costco's approach include: requiring suppliers to use practices to avoid sourcing from illegally deforested lands; increasing the percentage of products certified by Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade USA; and engaging suppliers on the recently released ProForest certification in Mexico. The company also committed to monitor progress throug annual supply chain mapping and risk assessments.
As You Sow has engaged with numerous other food retailers on forest risk commodities through shareholder dialogue and resolutions. Supply chain transparency and third-party certification are critical tools for identifying and avoiding deforestation risk."Costco is helping ensure that shoppers can enjoy their guacamole without contributing to forest destruction," added Levy. "When major retailers take deforestation seriously, it creates positive ripple effects throughout the entire supply chain."
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As You Sow is the nation's leading shareholder representative, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and advancing values-aligned investing. Its issue areas include climate change, ocean plastics, toxins in the food system, biodiversity, racial justice, and workplace diversity. Click here to view As You Sow's shareholder resolution tracker.