Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
Key facts
Established: April 2004
Governance: Executive Board, comprising 16 members elected by the RSPO General Assembly for a period of two years
Members: More than 140 companies/ organisations, representing roughly one third of the global palm oil production (2006)
RSPO website
Governance: Executive Board, comprising 16 members elected by the RSPO General Assembly for a period of two years
Members: More than 140 companies/ organisations, representing roughly one third of the global palm oil production (2006)
RSPO website
The RSPO aims to promote projects that will support the production and use of sustainable palm oil. These projects are divided into the following broad groups:
Find out about the latest activities of the RSPO
The roundtable was established with a governance structure that ensures fair representation of all stakeholders throughout the entire supply chain. RSPO is composed of Ordinary Members in 7 different categories (i.e. oil palm growers, palm oil processors and/or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks / investors, environmental / nature conservation NGOs and social / developmental NGOs) and Affiliate Members.
- Plantation management practices – implementation of better management practices (BMPs) in existing plantations
- Development of new plantations – improvement in land-use planning processes for the development of new oil palm plantations
- Responsible investment in oil palm – improvement of risk analysis/decision-making tools for banks and investors on palm oil development
- Chain of custody – investigation of different approaches for creating links between the oil palm plantation and the consumer
Moving from principles to action, the RSPO has developed Principles and Criteria on Sustainable Palm Oil Production (P&C), which encompass all facets of sustainability. The principles and criteria ensure that production is economically viable, environmentally appropriate and socially beneficial.
How does it work?
The RSPO brings together environmental and social NGOs, growers, businesses in the supply chain, and other relevant stakeholders to work one one common goal: putting in practice criteria for the production of sustainable palm oil.Find out about the latest activities of the RSPO
The roundtable was established with a governance structure that ensures fair representation of all stakeholders throughout the entire supply chain. RSPO is composed of Ordinary Members in 7 different categories (i.e. oil palm growers, palm oil processors and/or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks / investors, environmental / nature conservation NGOs and social / developmental NGOs) and Affiliate Members.
Why join the RSPO?
Commited to sustainable palmoil? Take the leap.
By joining the RSPO, your organization publicly communicates your commitment to sustainable palm oil production and use. You also join the ranks of other pro-active, solution-oriented and socially responsible organizations.
Ordinary Members have a say in the development of criteria for sustainable palm oil production. They also have the opportunity to network with other companies in the palm oil value chain that share their values.
By showing you are serious about sustainable palm oil, you can improve your access to new markets and investment sources.
Ordinary Members have a say in the development of criteria for sustainable palm oil production. They also have the opportunity to network with other companies in the palm oil value chain that share their values.
By showing you are serious about sustainable palm oil, you can improve your access to new markets and investment sources.
What is WWF’s role in RSPO?
The existence of the RSPO owes a lot to the catalytic efforts of WWF. WWF is working in places such as China, India and the EU, to ensure that the RSPO reaches its full potential.In Indonesia, one of the key countries where WWF is heavily involved with the RSPO, we support the round table initiative by providing training on sustainable palm oil and High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF). We also encourage producers, buyers and other stakeholders to adopt Better Management Practices (BMPs).
Results from the collaboration between WWF-Indonesia, Indonesian oil palm companies and the Indonesian Plantation Companies Association include:
- Impact assessment on oil palm plantations
- Guidelines and training modules, covering the experience of Indonesian Palm Oil Commission/WWF-Indonesia assessment on oil palm plantations combined with RSPO’s Principles and Criteria
- Training on sustainable palm oil/ HCVF, attracting mostly plantation executives and managers, local government officials, smallholders, local NGOs and university representatives
- Dissemination of HCVF concept and Principles and Criteria to smallholders in the Province of Riau (Sumatra) and training for smallholders on zero-burning practices
