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Dec 5, 20223 min read

RSPO RT 2022 - Accelerating the Sustainable Palm Oil Value Chain through Collaboration


Source: InfoSAWIT


The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) held its annual offline and online (hybrid) event this year. The event began at the Shangri-la Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on November 29, 2022. RSPO Plans 2022 was announced on the first day of the event, with RSPO CEO Joseph D'Cruz providing the introductory remarks. Throughout his introduction, D'Cruz invited all parties to work together to develop sustainable palm oil worldwide.

The significance of sustainability is a result of a long journey to become the standard. The trip also necessitates overcoming obstacles. He emphasized that to demonstrate to many people that Sustainable Palm Oil is the best for the planet, we collaborate with all parties to promote sustainability.

D'Cruz said 20% of global palm oil will be RSPO-certified by November 2022. This number doubled from 2011's 11%. RSPO launched the RSPO Effect Report 2022 at RT2022, aligning its impact framework with the UN's SDGs (SDGs). Respect human rights, involve independent smallholders, safeguard the environment, prevent fires, limit climate change, strengthen certification, and reform markets.

RSPO has been decarbonizing since 2015 to reduce emissions. Total emissions reduced equal almost 400k autos driven annually. If the palm oil sector is operated sustainably, it can contribute to net zero emissions, encourage a good life, and help millions of families in underdeveloped nations, said D'Cruz.

This annual meeting promotes the growth of CSPO production by small-scale oil palm farmers who work independently. Petani Kelapa Sawit Sejahtera Tambusai (PPSSTS), which is in Rokan Hulu Regency in the province of Riau, is one of them. The Palm Oil Farmers Union helped make this success happen (SPKS).

Mardoli Pasaribu, the ICS Manager of PPSSTS, says that this farmer group comprises 102 independent smallholders from 4 nearby villages who own a 345.94-hectare oil palm plantation. Quoting on what Mardoli told InfoSAWIT on Tuesday, November 29 2022, by getting the RSPO certification, hoping that other smallholders will be able to use the RSPO independent smallholder standard and that this certification will help independent smallholders in Rokan Hulu. And they hope that in the future they can become more organized.

Mardoli also thanked SPKS for helping the certification process go smoothly with their help. Getting this RSPO certification is another step toward international recognition that independent smallholders can make by getting RSPO certification.

Besides that, RSPO also gave Excellence Awards to members who achieved sustainable commitments. The prize was granted at the Round Table RSPO 2022 (RT2022) event in Scaling Up The Sustainable Palm Oil Value Chain Through Collective Action. The RSPO Excellence Awards have three categories: conservation leadership, smallholder impact program, and remarkable performance.

The award is granted to RSPO members who have contributed to a sustainable palm oil sector, says RSPO CEO Joseph D'cruz. Joseph remarked that this award is presented to members who have vigorously applied RSPO principles and criteria.

Agro-America Tropical Oil Holding Group received the honour. This palm oil company is regarded to have applied RSPO's environmental and social principles and criteria, such as maintaining and increasing high conservation value (HCV) and high carbon stock (HCS) areas and conserving endangered species and habitats.

Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd won the smallholder impact program. Musim Mas enhanced farmers' knowledge-cultivation capacity, market access, dan boosting their well-being. Also, PT Austindo Nusantara Jaya Agri won for outstanding achievement. This palm oil company revolutionized its business by promoting and producing sustainable palm oil, according to the verdict.

RSPO also offers shared responsibility awards in other sectors. Citi got banks and investors sector, Fauna & Flora International got environmental NGOs, McDonald's got retail, and the Red Cross got social NGOs (ICRC). Wilmar International Limited won for plantations.

D'Cruz hopes this prize will encourage firms and organizations to improve their commitment to sustainability in the palm oil industry.

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