RSPO, the globalstandardfor sustainable palm oil
DANIELLE MORLEY
European Director of Outreach & Engagement RSPO, Unit A-37-1, Menara UOA Bangsar, Number 5 Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, Kuala Lumpur 59000, Malaysia
Abstract
RSPO is a multi-stakeholder association founded to provide a sustainable solution in palm oil cultivation. Oil palm cultivation is among the main factors causing deforestation in South East Asia, but it also guarantees four-to-ten times better yields than other oleaginous crops and provides 40% of the supply of vegetal fats around the world. That’s why certified sustainable palm oil is the solution. RSPO is the global standard in palm oil sustainable cultivation, and today the 20% of the global production is certified sustainable. RSPO, aiming to transform the whole market, has set for Europe the target of 100% certified sustainable palm oil use by 2020.
THE SOLUTION IS CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL
The mission of the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) is based on the urgent need to address the negative impacts of palm oil production, such as deforestation, biodiversity loss and social conflicts, among other things. The RSPO was established in 2004, to promote the growth and use of sustainable oil palm production through credible global standards and engagement of stakeholders. The RSPO brings together growers, traders, refiners, manufacturers, retailers and NGOs in a collaborative approach to transform the palm oil industry and set a new pathway towards sustainability of a global agricultural crop.
Oil palm is cultivated exclusively in humid tropical zones, with two countries, Indonesia and Malaysia responsible for the 87% of global production. Consumption is greatest in India, Indonesia and China and is maintained by demographic growth and rising standards of living in emerging economies. Approximately 80% of oil palm products are used for food frying and processing, 19% for oleo-chemicals and animal feed and 1% for biodiesel (1). Palm Oil has a wide range of u ...