Turning RSPO Data into ESG Reporting Value: RSPO Launches New Study and Benchmarking Tool

RSPO has launched a new research study and benchmarking tool designed to help members unlock the full value of their certification data and turn it into actionable reporting insights.

This latest tool is designed to address current challenges of sustainability reporting, which has become increasingly complex. Multiple frameworks, evolving expectations, and differing methodologies make translating and disclosing existing sustainability efforts no small task. 

The latest research mapped 21 major sustainability frameworks and conducted a deep-dive benchmarking across eight of the most relevant systems, analszing over 600 indicators. The findings reveal a strong alignment between RSPO Standards and many ESG disclosure requirements.

Key insights of the new study include:

• High visibility of RSPO in the ESG landscape:
  74% of frameworks reference palm oil or sustainable palm oil, and 58% explicitly reference RSPO (standard or supporting guidance).
• Strong alignment with reporting needs:
  75% of the frameworks analysed show medium to high relevance to RSPO data.
• Clear areas of value:
  RSPO Certification provides robust, verifiable evidence for sustainable production practices, certified sourcing and volumes, deforestation and land-use safeguards, social responsibility and labour practices, and traceability and supply chain assurance.

Why this matters now

Companies today face growing pressure to disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance across a wide range of frameworks and rating systems. From corporate disclosure standards to investor-driven ESG ratings, each system comes with its own terminology, metrics, and evidence requirements.

While many of these frameworks cover themes already embedded in RSPO Standards such as deforestation, traceability, and social safeguards, members often struggle to connect the dots.

The newly launched RSPO study tackles this issue head-on by addressing where and how RSPO Certification data support ESG reporting requirements. 

“RSPO Certification already contains a wealth of verified sustainability data; companies don’t need to start from scratch,” said Francesca Morgante, RSPO Head, Global Key Account and Market Transformation (Europe). “The real opportunity is translating that data into the language of ESG reporting. With this new tool, we’re helping our members turn a strong, credible foundation into efficient, high-quality disclosures.”

Benchmarking tool

Alongside the study, RSPO has developed a practical benchmarking tool to help members apply these insights directly. The tool enables users to identify which frameworks are most relevant to their business, map RSPO data against specific reporting requirements, compare indicators across multiple frameworks, and understand where additional company-level data is needed.

Whether you’re just starting your ESG reporting journey or looking to refine your disclosures, the tool provides a structured pathway, from understanding requirements to building disclosure-ready responses.

The study also highlights important limitations to consider. RSPO data is most effective when companies understand its scope:

• Certification data often applies to certified units or volumes, not entire company operations
• Some frameworks require company-wide policies, governance, and forward-looking targets
• Certain disclosures must be publicly available, even if data already exists internally

Recognising these gaps allows companies to combine RSPO evidence with additional data resulting in stronger, more credible disclosures. 

Download the tools

Download the full report and benchmarking tool, now available to all RSPO Members and stakeholders.

Access the tools today and start turning your RSPO data into reporting value.