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How to re-build confidence in the audit system of certification schemes
This report summarises why social audits fail to uphold certification standards and offers possible solutions to re-build confidence in the audit system. It provides examples to demonstrate the systemic malpractice and lack of redress present in a wide range of certification schemes and highlight the current flaws in the social audit process.
Oil palm development in Thailand: Trends and progress of sustainability efforts in palm oil production and procurement
In 2023, the RSPO commissioned a study in Thailand to examine the multifaceted dimensions of Thailand’s palm oil sector. This study evaluated the environmental, economic and social impacts of the industry and provided insights for the RSPO regarding the impacts of RSPO Certification, particularly within Thailand’s smallholder-dominated landscape.
Sustainability concept’s interpretation affecting native farmers’ participation on JCSPO initiative and governance in Sabah, Malaysia
This study investigates how the contradiction of sustainability concept’s interpretation between the policy makers and Sabahan native farmers impacts on the slow participation in the Jurisdictional Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (JCSPO) initiative.
Measuring the implication of RSPO Certification: Lessons learned from independent palm oil smallholders in Riau Province, Indonesia
In 2023, WWF released a book documenting the benefits and impacts of RSPO Certification on independent smallholders. The book provides valuable insights gained from the facilitating process with independent smallholders, focusing on the experiences of facilitating the Amanah and Mandiri Independent Palm Oil Smallholders Associations.
Greenhouse gas emissions along the value chain in palm oil producing systems: A case study of Cameroon
A study quantified the GHG emissions along the CPO life cycle using six non-certified palm oil mills in Cameroon. They found that the average GHG emissions per ton of crude palm oil produced were exceptionally high at 22.3 tCO2e compared to other palm oil producing regions in the world such as Indonesia with only 1.6 tCO2e/ton of CPO. Emissions sources from palm oil mills in decreasing order of magnitude are land conversion (78%), palm oil mill effluent or POME (21%), fertilizer use (0.9%), mill fuel combustion (0.1%) and grid electricity utilization (0.04%). While the palm oil sector in Africa is experiencing significant growth, only four producers on the entire continent have achieved RSPO certification. This provides RSPO with an opportunity to further engage with the African palm oil industry and contribute positively to emission reduction efforts within the region.
Sustainability practices and financial profitability: The case of the world’s top 20 crude palm oil producers
A recent study by University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) found that CPO producers with RSPO certification bore 5% losses compared to non-certified producers. This was mainly due to the high costs complying with RSPO and the lukewarm sales from the consumers. Despite the negative findings, the researchers emphasized that certification plays an important role in protecting nature and environment; value added to social living and improved corporate reputation.
Pre-certification conditions of independent oil palm smallholders in Indonesia. Assessing prospects for RSPO certification
Through interviews with 18 RSPO certified independent smallholder groups in Indonesia and 9 certification facilitators, this study examines how pre-certification conditions regarding smallholders’ socio-economic backgrounds, legality, group organization, planation management practices, and local supply chain conditions impact prospects for RSPO certification, and how groups who successfully achieved certification have dealt with challenges during the certification process.
Global Market Report: Palm Oil Prices and Sustainability
This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development dives into the latest developments in the palm oil industry, exploring how sustainability standards can contribute to ensuring equitable incomes for palm oil producers and encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices. The report also provide key recommendations to aid expansion of sustainable palm oil, such as addressing farmers’ needs through training in business and agricultural practices, improving coordination among all value chain actors to create incentives for sustainability, and enacting policies and measures by governments and the private sector to promote sustainably grown palm oil.
Accelerating certification of oil palm smallholders through institutionalization of various incentives
This study aims to analyze to what extent incentives can accelerate sustainable palm oil certification, from what sources those incentives can be arranged, and types of incentives are appropriate for palm oil smallholders.
What does it mean to be compliant with sustainability standards and certification? Projecting confidence.
Following an analysis of multiple voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), including Rainforest Alliance, Better Cotton Initiative, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, and Bonsucro, a study reveals distinct compliance-indicator types within these VSS. Predominantly, these compliance-indicators fall into categories such as policy-based (48%) and practice-based (36%), while a smaller proportion comprises performance-based (10%) or measurement-based (6%) indicators. This paper finds that compliance with measurement and performance-based standards is more likely to translate directly to SDG indicators used by governments to report progress. Incorporating performance-based standards can increase the likelihood that compliance is achieving desired results.
