Fifth Assurance Clinic at RT2023: Tailored Sessions Attract Robust Participation

The Assurance Division successfully concluded its fifth Assurance Clinic at RT2023. Hosted at Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday, 20 November 2023, the event aimed to address diverse assurance-related concerns. All three units under the Assurance Division—Integrity Unit, Certification Unit, and Risk Unit—collaborated closely to ensure the Clinic’s success.

Tailored for one-to-one sessions, the Clinic featured five dedicated desks: New Planting Procedure (NPP) and PalmGHG, Principles and Criteria (P&C) Certification, Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP), Drainability Assessment, Peat Inventory, Non-Assessor  Licensing Scheme (ALS) High Conservation Value (HCV) Review, Supply Chain Certification, as well as Geographic Information System (GIS), Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA), Hotspot and Land Clearing Detection. Participants engaged with the Assurance team in thirty-minute slots, delving into topics ranging from RSPO Standards to compliance, allowing for tailored solutions and a personalised experience.

Registrations for the event reached near full capacity, with organisations like Eagle High Plantations, Forest Peoples Programme, Lestari Capital, M.P. Evans, PT REA Kaltim Plantations, S&G Biofuel, SOCFIN, and Wilmar International Limited participating. The enthusiastic engagement underscored the Clinic’s significance as a vital platform for addressing challenges and sharing insights.

Mika A. Selian, Compliance & Certification Manager at PT REA Kaltim Plantations, expressed gratitude for the Clinic’s impact on resolving field-related issues, stating, “The discussion was not only focused on specific subjects but we were also assisted in comprehending the issues thoroughly. We thank the Assurance Division for providing clear explanations and engaging in direct and professional discussions.”

Thomas Lavreys, RSPO Coordinator Africa at SOCFIN, emphasised the value of face-to-face interactions, stating, “The Clinic presents a unique opportunity for me to engage with the RSPO’s Assurance team with whom we maintain continuous contact but seldom have the chance to meet. Coming together in person not only enhances the efficiency of our work but also adds a distinctly human touch.”

As the event concluded, the Assurance Division reiterated its commitment to hosting Assurance Clinics at every RT. The Clinic supports the Assurance Division’s mission to continue assisting members in compliance and sustaining an open dialogue for a greener and more responsible future.