Search for research topics and objective(s) keywords
Year of publication
Sustainability issue
Study site
Research topic and objective(s)
Research type
2019
Economic, Environmental, Social
Ghana
Organic and fair palm oil production – Assessment project

The overall objective of this study project was to clarify the extent to which organically certified palm oil helps ensure positive ‘sustainability impacts’ compared to palm oil that is produced without any certification or with RSPO certification.

Read more

Independent
2019
Economic, Environmental, Social
Colombia
Field evidence for positive certification outcomes on oil palm smallholder management practices in Colombia

This study is a farm-level assessment of certification programs in the oil palm sector by focusing on RSPO and Organic (IFOAM) certified smallholders in Magdalena, Colombia.

Read more

Independent
2019
Economic
Companies committed to sustainable palm oil production have substantively stronger equity returns

This analysis by Climate Advisers was done to compare the financial performance of RSPO companies to non-RSPO companies.

Read more

Independent
2019
Environmental
Indonesia, Malaysia
Comparative life cycle assessment of RSPO-certified and non-certified palm oil

This report, prepared by 2.0 LCA consultants, presents the executive summary of a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) study of palm oil production comparing the environmental impact of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil with non-certified palm oil.

Read more

Independent
2019
Economic
United Kingdom
Peeling back the label – exploring sustainable palm oil ecolabelling and consumption in the United Kingdom

Published in Environmental Research Letters, this paper aimed at exploring the extent to which members of the general public are aware of palm oil, their perceptions about its environmental impact, and recognition and inclusion of RSPO ecolabelled products in household shopping compared to other widely known ecolabels.

Read more

Independent
2018
Environmental, Economic, Social
Indonesia
Evaluating the effectiveness of palm oil certification in delivering multiple sustainability objectives.

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of RSPO plantations compared to non-certified plantations by assessing the relative performance of several key sustainability metrics (environmental, economic and social aspects) compared to business as usual practices.

Read more

Independent
2018
Economic, Social
Indonesia
RSPO certification impacts on oil palm smallholders’ welfare in Jambi Province

This paper aimed at analysing the benefits of RSPO certification on improving oil-palm smallholders’ welfare in Jambi Province. Read more (link)

Read more

Independent
2018
Economic
India, China
Emerging markets and private governance: the political economy of sustainable palm oil in China and India

This research was done to examine the efforts of the RSPO to gain market uptake in China and India.

Read more

Independent
2018
Economic
Indonesia
Costs and benefits of certification of independent smallholders in Indonesia

Published in the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, this paper examined the pre-certification financial costs and benefits of RSPO certification for individual farmers and for the certified independent farmers group in Ukui, Indonesia.

Read more

Independent
2018
Economic
Thailand
Development of smallholders through participation in sustainable oil palm production: A case study of the members of Tapitak Palm Community Enterprise, Trang Province

This research aimed to develop smallholders towards sustainable oil palm production according to RSPO standard through group process in Thailand.

Read more

Independent

Get Involved

Whether you’re an individual or an organisation, you can join the global partnership to make palm oil sustainable.

As an individual

Take a stand for sustainable palm oil. See how you can influence brands and businesses.

More on individual action

As a smallholder

Discover how using sustainable farming practices through RSPO Certification can increase your yield and more.

More on smallholder impact

As an organisation

Reduce negative social and environmental impacts through producing and sourcing certified sustainable palm oil.

More on organisation influence

As a member

Quickly access resources, news and content that is important to you.

More on member content