Palm Oil News. November 2022
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November 30, 2022
Indonesia and Brazil have circulated a letter to the Committee on Agriculture, signed by 14 WTO members, raising concerns about the EU's proposed regulation on deforestation-free products, noting that the approach 'contains flaws' and calling for dialogue.
Honorable Roberta Metsola President of the European Parliament
H.E. Charles Michel
President of the European Council
H.E. Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
H.E. Edita Hrdá
Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the European Union Presidency of the Council of
the European Union
Dear Excellencies,
As developing countries responsible for a substantial share of the global output of agricultural
products such as cattle, oil palm, soya, wood, cocoa and coffee, and as trade partners of the EU, we
would like to express our serious concerns regarding the "Proposal for a regulation on the making
available on the Union market as well as export from the Union of certain commodities and products
associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/20102",
also referred to as "Proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products".
While we agree that the fight against climate change and the conservation and sustainable
management of forests are urgent tasks, we regret that the EU has chosen the option towards
unilateral legislation instead of an international engagement to deal with these shared objectives,
reflected in the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, to which we have all subscribed.
We encourage the EU to entertain further consultation with third countries, particularly developing
producing countries before the final approval of the proposed legislation. Some of the concerns
expressed by developing countries in formal public consultations about the proposed legislation
have, regrettably, been given scarce consideration.
At present, this proposed regulation is moving quickly through the EU ordinary legislative procedure.
It disregards the local conditions and national legislations of developing producing countries, their
efforts to fight deforestation, and, recalling the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities, also the EU Member States’ own historical role in deforestation activities and climate
change. Docs.WTO
---------
China’s Grand Oils and Fats (Dongguan) Co Ltd (GIHDG) has become the first company outside Malaysia to obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain Certification Standard (MSPO SCCS).
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) on Nov 30 announced that China’s Grand Oils and Fats (Dongguan) Co Ltd (GIHDG) has become the first company outside Malaysia to obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain Certification Standard (MSPO SCCS).
GIHDG is an edible oil processing company and one of the leaders in the plant-based oils and fats industry in the People’s Republic of China.
Its success was attributed to the efforts of the Palm Oil Research and Technical Services Institute of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (PORTSIM) China and the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC).
MPOB director-general Datuk Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said GIHDG which has been certified with MSPO SCCS since Oct 21, 2022, can now confidently and credibly provide products made from sustainably produced palm oil to their clients and end users all around the world.
“Portsim in China has initiated and facilitated this engagement in December 2021 that marks the beginning of this historical achievement,“ he said in a statement on Nov 30.
Portsim China is a research and development centre of MPOB housed in Shanghai, China which serves the industry by increasing China’s uptakes of Malaysian palm oil through research and development and commercialisation activities, as well as providing technical services to the customers. The Sun Daily
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Switzerland examines sustainable trade options with Indonesia
Swiss trade officials have held talks with Indonesia and the World bank to promote a sustainable means of implementing a controversial free trade agreement.
he State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) laid the foundations for a roadmap that includes sustainable palm oil production and fair working conditions in the industry.
Switzerland agreed a free trade agreement with Indonesia in 2018 as part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) block that also includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Opposition to the FTA in Switzerland forced a nationwide vote that narrowly approved the deal last yearExternal link.
Under the terms of the FTA, 98% of Swiss exports to the island nation will eventually be exempt from customs duty. In return, among other commodities, Indonesia would be able to export 10,000 tonnes of palm oil annually (and up to 12,500 tonnes at the end of five years) and related products with reduced tariffs.
Sustainability clauses incorporated in the deal, which allow only sustainable palm oil to be eligible for tariff reductions – a first for any free trade agreement concluded by Switzerland. Swiss Info
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India-125-Year-Old Conglomerate Godrej to Expand Oil Palm Plantations
(Bloomberg) -- Godrej Industries Ltd., part of a 125-year-old Indian conglomerate, is looking to boost the number of oil palm plantations as the government aims to raise local output and cut the nation’s heavy imports.
The group’s agriculture and chemicals arm Godrej Agrovet Ltd. -- India’s largest oil palm processor backed by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings Pte. -- will more than double the acreage of oil palm trees it manages over the next six years, Chairman Nadir Godrej said in an interview at the company’s headquarters in Mumbai.
Godrej, which runs businesses spanning consumer goods, financial services and real estate, is bolstering its position after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration announced last year that it will spend 110.4 billion rupees ($1.4 billion) to help farmers produce more palm oil in the country, the world’s biggest vegetable oil buyer. India, which imports 60% of its edible oil needs, plans to increase the palm area by almost three-fold to 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) by 2026.
Although the nation’s target looks relatively small, compared with about 16 million hectares allocated to palm in top grower Indonesia and some 6 million in second-biggest producer Malaysia, India’s government is keen to bring down cooking oil imports that surged almost 7% on an annual basis to 14 million tons in the year that ended in October. Palm oil accounted for more than half of the total volume. BNNBloomberg
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Indonesia and Brazil have circulated a letter to the Committee on Agriculture, signed by 14 WTO members, raising concerns about the EU's proposed regulation on deforestation-free products, noting that the approach 'contains flaws' and calling for dialogue.
Honorable Roberta Metsola President of the European Parliament
H.E. Charles Michel
President of the European Council
H.E. Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
H.E. Edita Hrdá
Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the European Union Presidency of the Council of
the European Union
Dear Excellencies,
As developing countries responsible for a substantial share of the global output of agricultural
products such as cattle, oil palm, soya, wood, cocoa and coffee, and as trade partners of the EU, we
would like to express our serious concerns regarding the "Proposal for a regulation on the making
available on the Union market as well as export from the Union of certain commodities and products
associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/20102",
also referred to as "Proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products".
While we agree that the fight against climate change and the conservation and sustainable
management of forests are urgent tasks, we regret that the EU has chosen the option towards
unilateral legislation instead of an international engagement to deal with these shared objectives,
reflected in the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, to which we have all subscribed.
We encourage the EU to entertain further consultation with third countries, particularly developing
producing countries before the final approval of the proposed legislation. Some of the concerns
expressed by developing countries in formal public consultations about the proposed legislation
have, regrettably, been given scarce consideration.
At present, this proposed regulation is moving quickly through the EU ordinary legislative procedure.
It disregards the local conditions and national legislations of developing producing countries, their
efforts to fight deforestation, and, recalling the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities, also the EU Member States’ own historical role in deforestation activities and climate
change. Docs.WTO
---------
China’s Grand Oils and Fats (Dongguan) Co Ltd (GIHDG) has become the first company outside Malaysia to obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain Certification Standard (MSPO SCCS).
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) on Nov 30 announced that China’s Grand Oils and Fats (Dongguan) Co Ltd (GIHDG) has become the first company outside Malaysia to obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain Certification Standard (MSPO SCCS).
GIHDG is an edible oil processing company and one of the leaders in the plant-based oils and fats industry in the People’s Republic of China.
Its success was attributed to the efforts of the Palm Oil Research and Technical Services Institute of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (PORTSIM) China and the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC).
MPOB director-general Datuk Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said GIHDG which has been certified with MSPO SCCS since Oct 21, 2022, can now confidently and credibly provide products made from sustainably produced palm oil to their clients and end users all around the world.
“Portsim in China has initiated and facilitated this engagement in December 2021 that marks the beginning of this historical achievement,“ he said in a statement on Nov 30.
Portsim China is a research and development centre of MPOB housed in Shanghai, China which serves the industry by increasing China’s uptakes of Malaysian palm oil through research and development and commercialisation activities, as well as providing technical services to the customers. The Sun Daily
---------
Switzerland examines sustainable trade options with Indonesia
Swiss trade officials have held talks with Indonesia and the World bank to promote a sustainable means of implementing a controversial free trade agreement.
he State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) laid the foundations for a roadmap that includes sustainable palm oil production and fair working conditions in the industry.
Switzerland agreed a free trade agreement with Indonesia in 2018 as part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) block that also includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Opposition to the FTA in Switzerland forced a nationwide vote that narrowly approved the deal last yearExternal link.
Under the terms of the FTA, 98% of Swiss exports to the island nation will eventually be exempt from customs duty. In return, among other commodities, Indonesia would be able to export 10,000 tonnes of palm oil annually (and up to 12,500 tonnes at the end of five years) and related products with reduced tariffs.
Sustainability clauses incorporated in the deal, which allow only sustainable palm oil to be eligible for tariff reductions – a first for any free trade agreement concluded by Switzerland. Swiss Info
---------
India-125-Year-Old Conglomerate Godrej to Expand Oil Palm Plantations
(Bloomberg) -- Godrej Industries Ltd., part of a 125-year-old Indian conglomerate, is looking to boost the number of oil palm plantations as the government aims to raise local output and cut the nation’s heavy imports.
The group’s agriculture and chemicals arm Godrej Agrovet Ltd. -- India’s largest oil palm processor backed by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings Pte. -- will more than double the acreage of oil palm trees it manages over the next six years, Chairman Nadir Godrej said in an interview at the company’s headquarters in Mumbai.
Godrej, which runs businesses spanning consumer goods, financial services and real estate, is bolstering its position after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration announced last year that it will spend 110.4 billion rupees ($1.4 billion) to help farmers produce more palm oil in the country, the world’s biggest vegetable oil buyer. India, which imports 60% of its edible oil needs, plans to increase the palm area by almost three-fold to 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) by 2026.
Although the nation’s target looks relatively small, compared with about 16 million hectares allocated to palm in top grower Indonesia and some 6 million in second-biggest producer Malaysia, India’s government is keen to bring down cooking oil imports that surged almost 7% on an annual basis to 14 million tons in the year that ended in October. Palm oil accounted for more than half of the total volume. BNNBloomberg
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November 29, 2022
Can Malaysia's new prime minister tighten ties with EU?
Anwar Ibrahim is seen as a reformist willing to work with the West. However, his affinity for Europe will be put to the test over an ongoing dispute with Brussels over palm oil.
Anwar Ibrahim was appointed by Malaysia's king as new prime minister last week, ending days of tense uncertainty after no candidate was able to win a majority in the country's closely contested general election.
Anwar, a pro-democracy figurehead for decades, as well as being the leader of a multi-racial and reform-minded political alliance, is also expected to help improve relations with the European Union that have faltered in recent years over energy disputes.
The new prime minister is "no stranger in Europe," said Shada Islam, an independent analyst on EU affairs.
"He is widely known and respected among politicians and policymakers in Brussels, a city which he has visited in the past and where he has participated in think tank discussions on democracy and human rights," she told DW.
Anwar's wife, prominent politician Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, also has good contacts across Brussels and Europe, Islam added. DW
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(PRESS RELEASE) RSPO Certification grows from three countries in 2008 to 21 in 2021, representing 4.5 million hectares of sustainable oil palm plantations
RSPO 2022 Impact Report charts continued sustainability efforts by the palm oil industry towards mitigating climate change, improving smallholder livelihoods and ending exploitation of workers, among other important themes on positive impacts.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global stakeholders from the palm oil industry gathered for the RSPO Annual Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2022), the first physical meeting to take place since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Centred around the theme, "Scaling up the Sustainable Palm Oil Value Chain Through Collective Action", RT2022 attracted nearly a thousand participants to discuss solutions to critical labour issues, increasing smallholder inclusion, the value of certification and further advancements to mitigate climate change impacts.
During his inaugural Roundtable speech, new CEO, Joseph D'Cruz, launched the 2022 Impact Report, highlighting RSPO members' impressive progress across a broad range of sustainability indicators. "Sustainability is a journey, and together with my team and all of our members, RSPO will continue to blaze the trail for the palm sector," said D'Cruz. "We will demonstrate how palm oil production and use can be an important contributor to net zero commitments; to highlight the role sustainable palm production plays in providing decent, dignified lives and prosperity for millions of rural families across the developing world; and to show how well-managed, regenerative oil palm plantations can be a crucial contributor to species conservation and biodiversity". PR Newswire
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Opinion: Malaysia’s sustainability standard can clean up murky supply chains
Palm oil supply chains would be a lot simpler if producer country standards were more widely recognised, writes Robert Hii
Are national standards the way forward?
The RSPO has faced criticism for failing to hold member companies accountable for environmental or social issues or skirting commitments to purchase sustainable palm oil volumes. The core problem is that, as a voluntary programme, it doesn’t have the legal backing for full coverage and strict enforcement. This is where government-backed national standards like the MSPO – which covers 96% of Malaysia’s plantations – could bridge uncertainties in the supply chains and offer a new pathway for sustainable palm oil. China Dialogue
Can Malaysia's new prime minister tighten ties with EU?
Anwar Ibrahim is seen as a reformist willing to work with the West. However, his affinity for Europe will be put to the test over an ongoing dispute with Brussels over palm oil.
Anwar Ibrahim was appointed by Malaysia's king as new prime minister last week, ending days of tense uncertainty after no candidate was able to win a majority in the country's closely contested general election.
Anwar, a pro-democracy figurehead for decades, as well as being the leader of a multi-racial and reform-minded political alliance, is also expected to help improve relations with the European Union that have faltered in recent years over energy disputes.
The new prime minister is "no stranger in Europe," said Shada Islam, an independent analyst on EU affairs.
"He is widely known and respected among politicians and policymakers in Brussels, a city which he has visited in the past and where he has participated in think tank discussions on democracy and human rights," she told DW.
Anwar's wife, prominent politician Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, also has good contacts across Brussels and Europe, Islam added. DW
---------
(PRESS RELEASE) RSPO Certification grows from three countries in 2008 to 21 in 2021, representing 4.5 million hectares of sustainable oil palm plantations
RSPO 2022 Impact Report charts continued sustainability efforts by the palm oil industry towards mitigating climate change, improving smallholder livelihoods and ending exploitation of workers, among other important themes on positive impacts.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global stakeholders from the palm oil industry gathered for the RSPO Annual Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2022), the first physical meeting to take place since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Centred around the theme, "Scaling up the Sustainable Palm Oil Value Chain Through Collective Action", RT2022 attracted nearly a thousand participants to discuss solutions to critical labour issues, increasing smallholder inclusion, the value of certification and further advancements to mitigate climate change impacts.
During his inaugural Roundtable speech, new CEO, Joseph D'Cruz, launched the 2022 Impact Report, highlighting RSPO members' impressive progress across a broad range of sustainability indicators. "Sustainability is a journey, and together with my team and all of our members, RSPO will continue to blaze the trail for the palm sector," said D'Cruz. "We will demonstrate how palm oil production and use can be an important contributor to net zero commitments; to highlight the role sustainable palm production plays in providing decent, dignified lives and prosperity for millions of rural families across the developing world; and to show how well-managed, regenerative oil palm plantations can be a crucial contributor to species conservation and biodiversity". PR Newswire
---------
Opinion: Malaysia’s sustainability standard can clean up murky supply chains
Palm oil supply chains would be a lot simpler if producer country standards were more widely recognised, writes Robert Hii
Are national standards the way forward?
The RSPO has faced criticism for failing to hold member companies accountable for environmental or social issues or skirting commitments to purchase sustainable palm oil volumes. The core problem is that, as a voluntary programme, it doesn’t have the legal backing for full coverage and strict enforcement. This is where government-backed national standards like the MSPO – which covers 96% of Malaysia’s plantations – could bridge uncertainties in the supply chains and offer a new pathway for sustainable palm oil. China Dialogue
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November 28, 2022
The EU’s carbon border tax could hurt developing nations
In July 2021, the European Commission did something that no other major governing body had ever attempted: It tied trade policy to climate policy. Reaching the European Union’s goal of cutting net greenhouse-gas emissions by 55% by 2030 will require the EU to reduce emissions both at home and beyond its borders. To this end, the Commission’s Fit for 55 initiative, a package of proposals aimed at meeting the bloc’s emissions-reduction target, includes a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) – an import tax designed to corral other countries into tackling climate change.
The CBAM would tax imported goods sold in EU markets on the basis of their carbon content (the emissions required to produce them), which depends on their material and energy inputs. The proposed levy is intended to address so-called carbon leakage, which occurs when businesses in the EU move production to non-member countries with less stringent emissions rules.
In other words, Europe would no longer ignore the climate effects of foreign goods. But while the measure could help to reduce emissions and level the competitive playing field for EU-based firms, the trade protectionism that it entails risks hurting developing countries. Gulf Times
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EU-Council gives final green light to corporate sustainability reporting directive
The Council gave its final approval to the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD).
This means that companies will soon be required to publish detailed information on sustainability matters. This will increase a company’s accountability, prevent divergent sustainability standards, and ease the transition to a sustainable economy.
The new rules will make more businesses accountable for their impact on society and will guide them towards an economy that benefits people and the environment. Data about the environmental and societal footprint would be publicly available to anyone interested in this footprint. At the same time, the new extended requirements are tailored to various company sizes and provides them with sufficient transition period to get ready for the new requirements.
Jozef Síkela, Minister for Industry and TradeIn practical terms, companies will have to report on how their business model affects their sustainability, and on how external sustainability factors (such as climate change or human right issues) influence their activities. This will equip investors and other stakeholders better for taking informed decisions on sustainability issues. Consilium Europa
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Malaysia should engage with EU on new corporate sustainability-MPOC
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should engage with the European Union (EU) on the EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and any future rules that will have a significant impact on a broad range of companies operating in the world’s largest trading bloc, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said.
Companies should prepare to ensure compliance with the new reporting obligations, it added.
“Following the entry into force of the new CSRD, the new rules will only start applying in stages: In 2024 for companies already subject to the current reporting obligations, in 2025 for large companies currently not subject to the reporting obligations, and, in 2026, for small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” the council said in a statement.
The MPOC said companies covered by the CSRD would have to comply with the forthcoming European Sustainability Reporting Standards, which are still being developed by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group.
It would require “covered” companies to report on corporate sustainability in a dedicated section of the company’s management report, which must be made publicly available.
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU this month are adopting this month the EU’s new CSRD, which would significantly enhance and expand sustainability reporting obligations for a broader range of companies. The Sun Daily
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Nigeria-Edo leads in oil palm devt in Nigeria, recommits to driving sustainable commodities in Africa
As part of its commitment to ensuring sustainable and responsible production of oil palm, cocoa, coffee, rubber and other tree crops, the Edo State Government has signed the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) Declaration at the United Nations (UN) Conference (CoP27) in Sharm el-sheikh, in Egypt.
The Declaration was signed by members from ten countries in Africa, making Edo State the front-runner and only sub-national to seal this process.
According to the UN Conference, the declaration is targeted at ensuring that producer countries in Africa are at the forefront of defining the principles for the sustainable development of cocoa, rubber, palm oil, coffee and other commodities in a way that protects livelihoods and protects natural resources including forests.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said the event is a call for stakeholders in the tree crop sector to ensure that more sustainable efforts are committed to avert the negative environmental and social impact of tree crop commodities production.
The governor who was represented by the Acting Team Lead, Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), Mr. Churchill Oboh, said, “Edo State has developed principles and actions for sustainable oil palm production which addresses issues relating to deforestation, biodiversity protection, respect of community rights. These principles will be extended in the development of other tree crop commodities in the state. Nigerian Observer News
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West Africa- Knowledge of land rights critical to sustainable agriculture
The West Africa Coordinator of TrustAfrica, Rachel Gyabaah, has said it is critical to deepening the understanding of farmers and traditional rulers on the country’s land tenure system to help ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
At a workshop attended by traditional rulers and farmers from the cocoa and palm oil industries in Accra, Ms Gyabaah said there were significant knowledge gaps on the various land rights in the country that needed to be addressed.
“From the challenges that have been raised, most of them are capacity and knowledge gaps. We are going to close this one and engage in more sensitisation among the traditional authorities and farmers.
“The bottom line is that we need to have proper recommendations and then at all levels, we will follow through and make sure that this does not become just a talk show but that there are some actions taken,” she said.
Workshop
The workshop, which focused on creating awareness of the new Land Act 2020, Act 1036, was part of activities under the “Reclaim Sustainability” project being implemented by TrustAfrica and Solidaridad West Africa. Graphic GH
The EU’s carbon border tax could hurt developing nations
In July 2021, the European Commission did something that no other major governing body had ever attempted: It tied trade policy to climate policy. Reaching the European Union’s goal of cutting net greenhouse-gas emissions by 55% by 2030 will require the EU to reduce emissions both at home and beyond its borders. To this end, the Commission’s Fit for 55 initiative, a package of proposals aimed at meeting the bloc’s emissions-reduction target, includes a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) – an import tax designed to corral other countries into tackling climate change.
The CBAM would tax imported goods sold in EU markets on the basis of their carbon content (the emissions required to produce them), which depends on their material and energy inputs. The proposed levy is intended to address so-called carbon leakage, which occurs when businesses in the EU move production to non-member countries with less stringent emissions rules.
In other words, Europe would no longer ignore the climate effects of foreign goods. But while the measure could help to reduce emissions and level the competitive playing field for EU-based firms, the trade protectionism that it entails risks hurting developing countries. Gulf Times
---------
EU-Council gives final green light to corporate sustainability reporting directive
The Council gave its final approval to the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD).
This means that companies will soon be required to publish detailed information on sustainability matters. This will increase a company’s accountability, prevent divergent sustainability standards, and ease the transition to a sustainable economy.
The new rules will make more businesses accountable for their impact on society and will guide them towards an economy that benefits people and the environment. Data about the environmental and societal footprint would be publicly available to anyone interested in this footprint. At the same time, the new extended requirements are tailored to various company sizes and provides them with sufficient transition period to get ready for the new requirements.
Jozef Síkela, Minister for Industry and TradeIn practical terms, companies will have to report on how their business model affects their sustainability, and on how external sustainability factors (such as climate change or human right issues) influence their activities. This will equip investors and other stakeholders better for taking informed decisions on sustainability issues. Consilium Europa
---------
Malaysia should engage with EU on new corporate sustainability-MPOC
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should engage with the European Union (EU) on the EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and any future rules that will have a significant impact on a broad range of companies operating in the world’s largest trading bloc, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said.
Companies should prepare to ensure compliance with the new reporting obligations, it added.
“Following the entry into force of the new CSRD, the new rules will only start applying in stages: In 2024 for companies already subject to the current reporting obligations, in 2025 for large companies currently not subject to the reporting obligations, and, in 2026, for small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” the council said in a statement.
The MPOC said companies covered by the CSRD would have to comply with the forthcoming European Sustainability Reporting Standards, which are still being developed by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group.
It would require “covered” companies to report on corporate sustainability in a dedicated section of the company’s management report, which must be made publicly available.
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU this month are adopting this month the EU’s new CSRD, which would significantly enhance and expand sustainability reporting obligations for a broader range of companies. The Sun Daily
---------
Nigeria-Edo leads in oil palm devt in Nigeria, recommits to driving sustainable commodities in Africa
As part of its commitment to ensuring sustainable and responsible production of oil palm, cocoa, coffee, rubber and other tree crops, the Edo State Government has signed the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) Declaration at the United Nations (UN) Conference (CoP27) in Sharm el-sheikh, in Egypt.
The Declaration was signed by members from ten countries in Africa, making Edo State the front-runner and only sub-national to seal this process.
According to the UN Conference, the declaration is targeted at ensuring that producer countries in Africa are at the forefront of defining the principles for the sustainable development of cocoa, rubber, palm oil, coffee and other commodities in a way that protects livelihoods and protects natural resources including forests.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said the event is a call for stakeholders in the tree crop sector to ensure that more sustainable efforts are committed to avert the negative environmental and social impact of tree crop commodities production.
The governor who was represented by the Acting Team Lead, Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), Mr. Churchill Oboh, said, “Edo State has developed principles and actions for sustainable oil palm production which addresses issues relating to deforestation, biodiversity protection, respect of community rights. These principles will be extended in the development of other tree crop commodities in the state. Nigerian Observer News
---------
West Africa- Knowledge of land rights critical to sustainable agriculture
The West Africa Coordinator of TrustAfrica, Rachel Gyabaah, has said it is critical to deepening the understanding of farmers and traditional rulers on the country’s land tenure system to help ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
At a workshop attended by traditional rulers and farmers from the cocoa and palm oil industries in Accra, Ms Gyabaah said there were significant knowledge gaps on the various land rights in the country that needed to be addressed.
“From the challenges that have been raised, most of them are capacity and knowledge gaps. We are going to close this one and engage in more sensitisation among the traditional authorities and farmers.
“The bottom line is that we need to have proper recommendations and then at all levels, we will follow through and make sure that this does not become just a talk show but that there are some actions taken,” she said.
Workshop
The workshop, which focused on creating awareness of the new Land Act 2020, Act 1036, was part of activities under the “Reclaim Sustainability” project being implemented by TrustAfrica and Solidaridad West Africa. Graphic GH
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November 24, 2022
Malaysia-Advancing oil palm industry
THE Advanced Biotechnology and Breeding Centre (ABBC), a division of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), is now the largest oil palm germplasm collection centre in the world for conservation and research based on oil palm breeding and biotechnology.
The ABBC's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) gene bank has a collection of germplasm that enables plant improvement with the discovery of genes that control important agronomic traits of oil palm, leading to major breakthroughs in research findings and increased commercial value.
The oil palm germplasm collection has become the main source in MPOB's research to produce elite plant material through either breeding or tissue culture. New Straits Times
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Papua New Guinea-Govt plans large-scale development for oil palm
PRIME Minister James Marape says he is keen on supporting the development of Papua New Guinea’s oil palm industry on a massive scale.
Marape pledged his government’s support after he and East Sepik governor Allan Bird met with representatives of the Pacific Elite Palm Oil Group in Singapore on Monday.
The company currently runs an oil palm project in East Sepik and is looking to start similar projects in other provinces which would eventually see PNG’s palm oil exports rise.
The company aims to be the Pacific’s largest palm oil producer with offshoot benefits in power generation and other applications.
Bird said the country would benefit from a long-term oil palm development plan which would be a significant agricultural producer for the country’s economy earning billions of kina over its life.
“We can double our GDP just from palm oil,” he said.
“The other flow-on to the economy is power production that fits into the grid, carbon credits, increased cattle production, as well as jobs.
“Palm oil is amazing because you can do so much with it, including green energy, which can be generated from palm oil waste.
“If we have 33 operations throughout PNG, similar to what we are doing in East Sepik, 100,000 jobs would be created,
“This is brilliant.” The NationalPG
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Brazil's Geo Biogas to transform biomethane into SAF
Brazilian renewable energy company Geo Biogas will begin small-scale production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using biomethane as feedstock.
The R15mn ($2.8mn) plant will be in Maringa, Parana state. Geo Biogas, in partnership with Parana's state university, developed the technology.
Geo Biogas concluded feasibility studies for the 660 l/d (4b/d) project earlier this year.
The company said that similar plants can be built in locations with SAF demand that have access to biogas, helping meet future demand for the renewable fuel. The project highlights the potential for the sugar and ethanol industry to produce SAF, according Luiz Mario de Matos Jorge, one of the researchers responsible for the project.
Brazil has yet to set a timetable for a mandatory SAF blend despite its potential to be a major SAF producer. Argus Media
Malaysia-Advancing oil palm industry
THE Advanced Biotechnology and Breeding Centre (ABBC), a division of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), is now the largest oil palm germplasm collection centre in the world for conservation and research based on oil palm breeding and biotechnology.
The ABBC's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) gene bank has a collection of germplasm that enables plant improvement with the discovery of genes that control important agronomic traits of oil palm, leading to major breakthroughs in research findings and increased commercial value.
The oil palm germplasm collection has become the main source in MPOB's research to produce elite plant material through either breeding or tissue culture. New Straits Times
---------
Papua New Guinea-Govt plans large-scale development for oil palm
PRIME Minister James Marape says he is keen on supporting the development of Papua New Guinea’s oil palm industry on a massive scale.
Marape pledged his government’s support after he and East Sepik governor Allan Bird met with representatives of the Pacific Elite Palm Oil Group in Singapore on Monday.
The company currently runs an oil palm project in East Sepik and is looking to start similar projects in other provinces which would eventually see PNG’s palm oil exports rise.
The company aims to be the Pacific’s largest palm oil producer with offshoot benefits in power generation and other applications.
Bird said the country would benefit from a long-term oil palm development plan which would be a significant agricultural producer for the country’s economy earning billions of kina over its life.
“We can double our GDP just from palm oil,” he said.
“The other flow-on to the economy is power production that fits into the grid, carbon credits, increased cattle production, as well as jobs.
“Palm oil is amazing because you can do so much with it, including green energy, which can be generated from palm oil waste.
“If we have 33 operations throughout PNG, similar to what we are doing in East Sepik, 100,000 jobs would be created,
“This is brilliant.” The NationalPG
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Brazil's Geo Biogas to transform biomethane into SAF
Brazilian renewable energy company Geo Biogas will begin small-scale production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using biomethane as feedstock.
The R15mn ($2.8mn) plant will be in Maringa, Parana state. Geo Biogas, in partnership with Parana's state university, developed the technology.
Geo Biogas concluded feasibility studies for the 660 l/d (4b/d) project earlier this year.
The company said that similar plants can be built in locations with SAF demand that have access to biogas, helping meet future demand for the renewable fuel. The project highlights the potential for the sugar and ethanol industry to produce SAF, according Luiz Mario de Matos Jorge, one of the researchers responsible for the project.
Brazil has yet to set a timetable for a mandatory SAF blend despite its potential to be a major SAF producer. Argus Media
November 21, 2022
Malaysia-Sime Darby Plantation to reimburse foreign workers RM82mil over ‘recruitment fees’
PETALING JAYA: The board of Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) has set aside RM82 million to reimburse its foreign workers who had to pay recruitment fees to agents or other third parties.
The recruitment fees imposed on foreign oil palm plantation workers was an issue looked into by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil’s (RSPO) independent verification assessment team.
SDP said the board made the decision to reimburse all its current and former foreign workers who were employed on or after Nov 1, 2018. It said the recruitment fees has been reimbursed for all current migrant workers beginning Feb 17 this year.
SDP noted such recruitment fees are unreported payments charged by agents, sub-agents or other third parties to its foreign workers in countries of origin, in contravention of SDP’s zero recruitment fee policy. Free Malaysia Today
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Malaysia-SD Plantation responds to RSPO's directive to complete action plan
KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Plantation Bhd has refuted the findings from the Roundtable Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) over unreported recruitment fees and retention of its foreign workers' passport.
SD Plantation group managing director Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the comprehensive suite of reforms that the company had taken had met and exceeded established labour standards.
"Unfortunately, the assessment's team findings do not reflect the substantial revisions, improvements and modifications that have been implemented by SD Plantation during the past year.
"For example, as you may be aware, following our announcement on Feb 15 2022, SD Plantation issued payments to all its current workers to reimburse them for any recruitment fees or other costs that they may have incurred in connection with their efforts to secure employment with us. New Straits Times
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Japan-Human rights and environment become key in procuring palm oil
Japanese companies are facing increasing calls for eliminating human rights violations and giving adequate consideration to environmental protection when building and operating supply chains, ranging from the procurement of raw materials to the manufacture and sale of products.
Palm oil, derived from oil palms grown in tropical areas, is an inexpensive raw material most widely used for processed foods such as bread, confectionery and margarine, as well as daily necessities, detergents, shampoos and cosmetics. Indonesia and Malaysia are the main producers of palm oil.
But the problem of child labor at farms and deforestation caused by farm development are increasingly attracting attention. Some companies using palm oil are rushing to switch to products free from issues linked to cultivation methods, while others are hurrying to develop alternative materials. Japan Times
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India-Oil Palm cultivation facing odds, farmers seek remunerative price
Oil palm farmers in Andhra Pradesh are unwilling to continue the cultivation due to poor prices and are requesting the government to provide Rs 20,000 per tonne as remunerative price against the present Rs 10,000.
The national oil palm farmers’ association general secretary Kranthikumar Reddy deplored the uprooting of oil palm plantations in 1,60,000 acres due to price fluctuations and sought measures to continue the cultivation and save farmers from trouble.
Reddy said that till 1994, India was self-sufficient in edible oils. After that, it was put under the Open General Licence (OGL) category under the WTO with 65 per cent import duties. During the NDA term in 1999, most of the tariff barriers were removed. A process of import dumping was initiated, forcing edible oil seed farmers to compete with the corporate forest plantations of Malaysia and Indonesia, he said. Deccan Chronicle
Malaysia-Sime Darby Plantation to reimburse foreign workers RM82mil over ‘recruitment fees’
PETALING JAYA: The board of Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) has set aside RM82 million to reimburse its foreign workers who had to pay recruitment fees to agents or other third parties.
The recruitment fees imposed on foreign oil palm plantation workers was an issue looked into by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil’s (RSPO) independent verification assessment team.
SDP said the board made the decision to reimburse all its current and former foreign workers who were employed on or after Nov 1, 2018. It said the recruitment fees has been reimbursed for all current migrant workers beginning Feb 17 this year.
SDP noted such recruitment fees are unreported payments charged by agents, sub-agents or other third parties to its foreign workers in countries of origin, in contravention of SDP’s zero recruitment fee policy. Free Malaysia Today
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Malaysia-SD Plantation responds to RSPO's directive to complete action plan
KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Plantation Bhd has refuted the findings from the Roundtable Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) over unreported recruitment fees and retention of its foreign workers' passport.
SD Plantation group managing director Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the comprehensive suite of reforms that the company had taken had met and exceeded established labour standards.
"Unfortunately, the assessment's team findings do not reflect the substantial revisions, improvements and modifications that have been implemented by SD Plantation during the past year.
"For example, as you may be aware, following our announcement on Feb 15 2022, SD Plantation issued payments to all its current workers to reimburse them for any recruitment fees or other costs that they may have incurred in connection with their efforts to secure employment with us. New Straits Times
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Japan-Human rights and environment become key in procuring palm oil
Japanese companies are facing increasing calls for eliminating human rights violations and giving adequate consideration to environmental protection when building and operating supply chains, ranging from the procurement of raw materials to the manufacture and sale of products.
Palm oil, derived from oil palms grown in tropical areas, is an inexpensive raw material most widely used for processed foods such as bread, confectionery and margarine, as well as daily necessities, detergents, shampoos and cosmetics. Indonesia and Malaysia are the main producers of palm oil.
But the problem of child labor at farms and deforestation caused by farm development are increasingly attracting attention. Some companies using palm oil are rushing to switch to products free from issues linked to cultivation methods, while others are hurrying to develop alternative materials. Japan Times
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India-Oil Palm cultivation facing odds, farmers seek remunerative price
Oil palm farmers in Andhra Pradesh are unwilling to continue the cultivation due to poor prices and are requesting the government to provide Rs 20,000 per tonne as remunerative price against the present Rs 10,000.
The national oil palm farmers’ association general secretary Kranthikumar Reddy deplored the uprooting of oil palm plantations in 1,60,000 acres due to price fluctuations and sought measures to continue the cultivation and save farmers from trouble.
Reddy said that till 1994, India was self-sufficient in edible oils. After that, it was put under the Open General Licence (OGL) category under the WTO with 65 per cent import duties. During the NDA term in 1999, most of the tariff barriers were removed. A process of import dumping was initiated, forcing edible oil seed farmers to compete with the corporate forest plantations of Malaysia and Indonesia, he said. Deccan Chronicle
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November 19, 2022
India-TS Govt encourages farmers for oil palm cultivation: KTR
Efforts are being made to convert 20 lakh acre of paddy fields into oil palm in next five years, says KTR
Hyderabad: Minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao said the State government was initiating various steps to encourage farmers in a big way for the cultivation of oil palm and oil seed in the days to come.
Speaking at the global roundtable organised by the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association, Minister KT Rama Rao said the efforts are being made to convert 20 lakh acre of paddy fields into the oil palm in the next five years.
With this, the government can able to reduce the import dependence for edible oils and can also protect farmers from the glut in the paddy production, he said. Siasat
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Malaysia-RSPO tells Sime Darby Plantation to carry out action plan to address weaknesses
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 18): The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has required Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) to complete an action plan over the next six months to address the weaknesses identified in its existing systems and processes.
The sustainable palm oil organisation said its secretariat instructed SDP to do this on Nov 14, following the completion of its independent verification assessment of the plantation’s Malaysian operations.
RSPO had undertaken the assessment following the United States Customs and Border Protection’s withhold release order (WRO) on all palm oil and products containing palm oil produced by SDP on Dec 30, 2020.
It said the assessment team identified violations of RSPO Standards, including the payment of unreported recruitment fees to agents, sub-agents or other third parties, and the retention of passports.
“Additionally, the assessment team identified a number of areas where further strengthening of SDP’s systems and processes are required,” it said in a statement published on its website.
RSPO noted that SDP had taken actions to address the reported issues, although the final results remained to be seen. The Edge Markets
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Sime Darby Plantations Responds to RSPO letter With a Reminder to RSPO
Sime Darby Plantations has responded to an RSPO letter suggesting the member should carry out an action plan to address weaknesses in its sustainability practices.
The response included three documents which can be accessed below.
1. Response Letter to RSPO which can only be described as a rebuke of the RSPO's failure to acknowledge actions already taken to address "weaknesses."
2. More politely worded Press Release in its "Public Statement: Sime Darby Plantation’s Response to RSPO’s Verification Assessment"
3. Appendix of SDP's response to RSPO with full listing of Sime Darby Plantations to support the company's claims to have already taken action to address "weaknesses."
Sime Darby Plantations retorts with a Response Letter to RSPO's Decision Letter dated 14 November 2022
Politely worded Press Release can be read here
Appendix to SDP's Response to RSPO can be downloaded here
India-TS Govt encourages farmers for oil palm cultivation: KTR
Efforts are being made to convert 20 lakh acre of paddy fields into oil palm in next five years, says KTR
Hyderabad: Minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao said the State government was initiating various steps to encourage farmers in a big way for the cultivation of oil palm and oil seed in the days to come.
Speaking at the global roundtable organised by the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association, Minister KT Rama Rao said the efforts are being made to convert 20 lakh acre of paddy fields into the oil palm in the next five years.
With this, the government can able to reduce the import dependence for edible oils and can also protect farmers from the glut in the paddy production, he said. Siasat
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Malaysia-RSPO tells Sime Darby Plantation to carry out action plan to address weaknesses
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 18): The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has required Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) to complete an action plan over the next six months to address the weaknesses identified in its existing systems and processes.
The sustainable palm oil organisation said its secretariat instructed SDP to do this on Nov 14, following the completion of its independent verification assessment of the plantation’s Malaysian operations.
RSPO had undertaken the assessment following the United States Customs and Border Protection’s withhold release order (WRO) on all palm oil and products containing palm oil produced by SDP on Dec 30, 2020.
It said the assessment team identified violations of RSPO Standards, including the payment of unreported recruitment fees to agents, sub-agents or other third parties, and the retention of passports.
“Additionally, the assessment team identified a number of areas where further strengthening of SDP’s systems and processes are required,” it said in a statement published on its website.
RSPO noted that SDP had taken actions to address the reported issues, although the final results remained to be seen. The Edge Markets
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Sime Darby Plantations Responds to RSPO letter With a Reminder to RSPO
Sime Darby Plantations has responded to an RSPO letter suggesting the member should carry out an action plan to address weaknesses in its sustainability practices.
The response included three documents which can be accessed below.
1. Response Letter to RSPO which can only be described as a rebuke of the RSPO's failure to acknowledge actions already taken to address "weaknesses."
2. More politely worded Press Release in its "Public Statement: Sime Darby Plantation’s Response to RSPO’s Verification Assessment"
3. Appendix of SDP's response to RSPO with full listing of Sime Darby Plantations to support the company's claims to have already taken action to address "weaknesses."
Sime Darby Plantations retorts with a Response Letter to RSPO's Decision Letter dated 14 November 2022
Politely worded Press Release can be read here
Appendix to SDP's Response to RSPO can be downloaded here
November 18, 2022
Palm oil sustainability debated on sidelines of G20 summit
The Indonesian Government, the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) hosted the first Sustainable Vegetable Oil conference on the sidelines of the G20.
The conference highlighted the role of vegetable oils in global food security, and new collaboration between different parts of the supply chain to ensure going forward.
The event represented the first time the world’s palm oil producing countries had participated in a major multilateral event outside of ASEAN.
The conference opening was addressed by Indonesian Coordinating Minister Hartarto and Malaysian Plantation Minister Kamaruddin, and was addressed by official representatives from Russia, China, India, Ukraine, as well as officials from the WTO, FAO and World Food Program. Officials from the European Union were absent from the event.
This underlined that the world’s major players in the supply chain from the major producers and exporters (e.g. Indonesia and Russia) and the major importers (India and China) are prepared to collaborate to ensure stability of supply for their populations at a time of trade instability and skyrocketing prices. Biofuels News
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Analysis: Can Indonesia ditch coal and improve lives with new green deal?
A coalition of rich nations pledged $20 billion of public and private finance to help Indonesia retire its coal power plants sooner than planned, the United States, Japan and other partners said this week. Reuters
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India-Malaysian Delegates Met CS, Discussed To Explore Oil Palm Sector
Hyderabad, Nov 17: A high level Malaysian delegation met the Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and discussed the possibilities to explore partnership on oil palm sector with the Telangana government.
Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Palm Oil Council Wan Aishah Wan Hamid, promotions and Communications Division Ms. Razita Razak, Council member Ms. ruchi Srivastava, Director General of malaysian Palm Oil Board Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, CEO Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council Datuk Haji Daud Amatzin and Muhammed HansBin Abdullah, MalaysianPalm Oil Certification Council were part of the high level delegation.
Welcoming the delegation to the state, the Chief Secretary observed that the Telangana government has embarked on a massive program to promote oil palm cultivation in the state by targeting oil palm cultivation in 20 lakhs acres in a phased manner. The state imports seeds from Malaysia in large quantities, as such there is huge potential for both the countries in the oil palm sector.
Chief Secretary requested the delegation members to assist in speedy clearances for germinated seeds shipments being supplied by Malaysian companies. He sought the cooperation of Malaysia in training and certification support to the Oil Palm mission in Telangana. He wanted the delegation to work out a mutually beneficial mechanism for employment opportunities for Telangana youth in oil palm sector in Malaysia. India Today
Palm oil sustainability debated on sidelines of G20 summit
The Indonesian Government, the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) hosted the first Sustainable Vegetable Oil conference on the sidelines of the G20.
The conference highlighted the role of vegetable oils in global food security, and new collaboration between different parts of the supply chain to ensure going forward.
The event represented the first time the world’s palm oil producing countries had participated in a major multilateral event outside of ASEAN.
The conference opening was addressed by Indonesian Coordinating Minister Hartarto and Malaysian Plantation Minister Kamaruddin, and was addressed by official representatives from Russia, China, India, Ukraine, as well as officials from the WTO, FAO and World Food Program. Officials from the European Union were absent from the event.
This underlined that the world’s major players in the supply chain from the major producers and exporters (e.g. Indonesia and Russia) and the major importers (India and China) are prepared to collaborate to ensure stability of supply for their populations at a time of trade instability and skyrocketing prices. Biofuels News
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Analysis: Can Indonesia ditch coal and improve lives with new green deal?
- Indonesia secures $20 billion worth of pledges
- Improving lives just as important as closing coal power plants
- Training workforce for green energy is key to 'just transition'
A coalition of rich nations pledged $20 billion of public and private finance to help Indonesia retire its coal power plants sooner than planned, the United States, Japan and other partners said this week. Reuters
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India-Malaysian Delegates Met CS, Discussed To Explore Oil Palm Sector
Hyderabad, Nov 17: A high level Malaysian delegation met the Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and discussed the possibilities to explore partnership on oil palm sector with the Telangana government.
Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Palm Oil Council Wan Aishah Wan Hamid, promotions and Communications Division Ms. Razita Razak, Council member Ms. ruchi Srivastava, Director General of malaysian Palm Oil Board Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, CEO Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council Datuk Haji Daud Amatzin and Muhammed HansBin Abdullah, MalaysianPalm Oil Certification Council were part of the high level delegation.
Welcoming the delegation to the state, the Chief Secretary observed that the Telangana government has embarked on a massive program to promote oil palm cultivation in the state by targeting oil palm cultivation in 20 lakhs acres in a phased manner. The state imports seeds from Malaysia in large quantities, as such there is huge potential for both the countries in the oil palm sector.
Chief Secretary requested the delegation members to assist in speedy clearances for germinated seeds shipments being supplied by Malaysian companies. He sought the cooperation of Malaysia in training and certification support to the Oil Palm mission in Telangana. He wanted the delegation to work out a mutually beneficial mechanism for employment opportunities for Telangana youth in oil palm sector in Malaysia. India Today
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November 17, 2022
Malaysia-Oil palm industry’s initiatives help stem deforestation
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian oil palm industry’s initiatives on forest conservation has started to bear fruit, with the country’s deforestation rate showing a steady decline in recent years, said the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
Reports show from 2010 to 2015, Malaysia’s forested area increased by 2% to 18.25 million hectares, said MPOB director-general Ahmad Parveez.
“From 1991 to 2000, the deforestation rate was at 0.27%, and this decreased to 0.09% from 2001 to 2010.”
He said the increase in forested area is partly due to the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil’s (MPSO) scheme to enhance sustainability of agriculture and forest management through mandatory certification of all plantations and smallholder production effective Jan 1, 2020. Free Malaysia Today
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Malaysia practises zero-burning techniques, says MPOB
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 17): Malaysia, the world’s second largest producer of palm oil, has been practising zero-burning techniques, with a ban on open burning since 1998, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
In a statement on Thursday (Nov 17), MPOB director general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said the zero-burning policy is stipulated under the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme.
“Malaysia has long been associated with clearing of tropical rainforests and burning of peatlands and causing air pollution.
“Burning down of tropical forest is prohibited and against the law of Malaysia,” he said.
Ahmad Parveez said Malaysia recognises the increasing extent and frequency of peatland fires which are associated to haze.
He explained that the Department of Environment (DOE) has activated the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan to coordinate measures by the government agencies in addressing open burning and haze problem in the country. The Edge Markets
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Indonesia-Oil palm smallholder farmers and EU deforestation regulation
The European Union is currently finalizing a new deforestation regulation. The EU claims its objective is to prevent deforestation. In principle, this is a positive agenda, but in practice the current draft of the policy will prevent Indonesian small farmers from selling their products.
Four million Indonesian small farmers face the risk of being cut out of supply chains completely because the EU refuses to take their needs into consideration and refuses to be flexible on the criteria required for its regulation. The specific problem is the EU’s requirement for only fully segregated palm oil, with the EU demanding this be proven for every shipment.
Perhaps in a Brussels conference room, the theory sounds good. It is simply not possible to implement in the real world. The Jakarta Post
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Indonesia-Palm oil firms should forge collaboration with farmers: Ministry
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy for Coordinating Food and Agriculture at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Musdalifah Mahmud appealed to companies to conduct partnerships with farmers to boost the nation's palm oil productivity.
Mahmud noted that the productivity of palm oil farmers in Indonesia was still low, at only two tons of crude palm oil (CPO) per hectare per year. Meanwhile, the productivity of large-scale plantations can reach eight tons of CPO per hectare per year.
“The difference is three to five times. Therefore, we urge companies to conduct partnerships to help farmers increase their productivity," Mahmud stated at the COP27 Climate Change Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, according to an official statement received here, Thursday.
She noted that the partnerships can be in the form of a replanting program wherein farmers can use qualified palm oil seeds like those used by plantation companies.
"Companies are also obliged to help increase the capacity of farmers, including in marketing their crops," she remarked. Antara News
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UK-Bursting the HVO bubble
If there’s one thing worse the searching in vain for a miracle cure, it must be finding your miracle cure only to discover that it makes the illness worse.
That is how many people in the construction and haulage industries might now be feeling about HVO – hydro-treated vegetable oil – the natural, biodegradable, low-carbon alternative to planet-killing diesel fuel.
Because just as fleet operators flock to make the transition from fossil diesel to low-carbon HVO, two highly-influential organisations – the Environment Agency and Balfour Beatty (the UK’s biggest contractor, no less) have slammed on the brakes and called time on HVO.
In May this year, Balfour Beatty published a position paper setting out its reservations concerning the HVO supply chain and questioning the fuel’s sustainability. Fuel suppliers were told not to deliver HVO to Balfour Beatty sites and to refuse any requests from Balfour Beatty site managers for HVO fuel. The Construction Index
Malaysia-Oil palm industry’s initiatives help stem deforestation
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian oil palm industry’s initiatives on forest conservation has started to bear fruit, with the country’s deforestation rate showing a steady decline in recent years, said the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
Reports show from 2010 to 2015, Malaysia’s forested area increased by 2% to 18.25 million hectares, said MPOB director-general Ahmad Parveez.
“From 1991 to 2000, the deforestation rate was at 0.27%, and this decreased to 0.09% from 2001 to 2010.”
He said the increase in forested area is partly due to the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil’s (MPSO) scheme to enhance sustainability of agriculture and forest management through mandatory certification of all plantations and smallholder production effective Jan 1, 2020. Free Malaysia Today
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Malaysia practises zero-burning techniques, says MPOB
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 17): Malaysia, the world’s second largest producer of palm oil, has been practising zero-burning techniques, with a ban on open burning since 1998, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
In a statement on Thursday (Nov 17), MPOB director general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said the zero-burning policy is stipulated under the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme.
“Malaysia has long been associated with clearing of tropical rainforests and burning of peatlands and causing air pollution.
“Burning down of tropical forest is prohibited and against the law of Malaysia,” he said.
Ahmad Parveez said Malaysia recognises the increasing extent and frequency of peatland fires which are associated to haze.
He explained that the Department of Environment (DOE) has activated the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan to coordinate measures by the government agencies in addressing open burning and haze problem in the country. The Edge Markets
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Indonesia-Oil palm smallholder farmers and EU deforestation regulation
The European Union is currently finalizing a new deforestation regulation. The EU claims its objective is to prevent deforestation. In principle, this is a positive agenda, but in practice the current draft of the policy will prevent Indonesian small farmers from selling their products.
Four million Indonesian small farmers face the risk of being cut out of supply chains completely because the EU refuses to take their needs into consideration and refuses to be flexible on the criteria required for its regulation. The specific problem is the EU’s requirement for only fully segregated palm oil, with the EU demanding this be proven for every shipment.
Perhaps in a Brussels conference room, the theory sounds good. It is simply not possible to implement in the real world. The Jakarta Post
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Indonesia-Palm oil firms should forge collaboration with farmers: Ministry
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy for Coordinating Food and Agriculture at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Musdalifah Mahmud appealed to companies to conduct partnerships with farmers to boost the nation's palm oil productivity.
Mahmud noted that the productivity of palm oil farmers in Indonesia was still low, at only two tons of crude palm oil (CPO) per hectare per year. Meanwhile, the productivity of large-scale plantations can reach eight tons of CPO per hectare per year.
“The difference is three to five times. Therefore, we urge companies to conduct partnerships to help farmers increase their productivity," Mahmud stated at the COP27 Climate Change Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, according to an official statement received here, Thursday.
She noted that the partnerships can be in the form of a replanting program wherein farmers can use qualified palm oil seeds like those used by plantation companies.
"Companies are also obliged to help increase the capacity of farmers, including in marketing their crops," she remarked. Antara News
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UK-Bursting the HVO bubble
If there’s one thing worse the searching in vain for a miracle cure, it must be finding your miracle cure only to discover that it makes the illness worse.
That is how many people in the construction and haulage industries might now be feeling about HVO – hydro-treated vegetable oil – the natural, biodegradable, low-carbon alternative to planet-killing diesel fuel.
Because just as fleet operators flock to make the transition from fossil diesel to low-carbon HVO, two highly-influential organisations – the Environment Agency and Balfour Beatty (the UK’s biggest contractor, no less) have slammed on the brakes and called time on HVO.
In May this year, Balfour Beatty published a position paper setting out its reservations concerning the HVO supply chain and questioning the fuel’s sustainability. Fuel suppliers were told not to deliver HVO to Balfour Beatty sites and to refuse any requests from Balfour Beatty site managers for HVO fuel. The Construction Index
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November 16, 2022
Malaysia-MPOC urges EU to recognise Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standards
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 16): The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has welcome the European Union’s (EU) Deforestation Regulation, aimed at stemming the importation of commodities including beef, cocoa, palm oil and soy into the EU market which may cause deforestation in producer countries.
The EU has published its Draft European Parliament Legislative Resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 (COM(2022)0071 - C9-0050/2022 - 2022/0051(COD)).
In a statement on Wednesday (Nov 16), MPOC however urged the EU Parliament to acknowledge national certification programmes like the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards as an effective measure to meet the requirements of the regulation.
The council said the MSPO stands ready to meet the requirements of the Deforestation Regulation.
It said that in anticipation of a global demand for sustainable palm oil, the national standard for palm oil production, the MSPO was made mandatory by 2020.
MPOC said that to date, 96% of Malaysian palm oil production including industrial stakeholders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and smallholders are certified by the MSPO.
It said this level of certification is more than adequate to meet the requirements of the EU’s Deforestation Regulation as Malaysian exports of palm oil to the union are covered under the MSPO as well as third-party voluntary schemes.
The council’s chief executive officer Wan Aishah Wan Hamid said the Malaysian government is firmly committed to the sustainability of palm oil production based on the country’s laws, governing its natural environment and the rights of all people in the industry.
“This removes the risk of companies that import Malaysian palm oil, from having to bear the liability of 'cause and harm' should infractions occur. The Edge Markets
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Malaysia-Sabah has surpassed 50% forest reserve target, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has surpassed the target under the 1989 Langkawi Declaration to maintain at least half its land mass as natural forests, with 53% designated permanent forest reserves or protected areas.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor noted how the country, especially Sabah, is home to a diverse biodiversity and an ecosystem of global importance, making conservation crucial.
"Even as nations were negotiating at the Earth Summit in 1992, Sabah was already charting its conservation road map.
"We had a head start drawing up recommendations and actions for implementation with strategies to promote, protect and sustainably manage natural resources, in line with the outcome of the Earth Summit and other conventions and treaties," he said at the 4th International Conference In Agroforestry (ICAF 2022) opening and welcoming dinner here on Tuesday (Nov 15).
Hajiji's speech was delivered by the state's Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan. The StarMY
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India raises base import price of palm oil, gold
MUMBAI, Nov 15 (Reuters) - India raised the base import prices of gold, crude and refined palm oil, the government said in a statement on Tuesday, as prices rose in the world market.
The government revises base import prices of edible oils, gold and silver every fortnight, and the prices are used to calculate the amount of tax an importer needs to pay.
India is the world's biggest importer of edible oils and silver and the second-biggest consumer of gold. Reuters
Malaysia-MPOC urges EU to recognise Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standards
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 16): The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has welcome the European Union’s (EU) Deforestation Regulation, aimed at stemming the importation of commodities including beef, cocoa, palm oil and soy into the EU market which may cause deforestation in producer countries.
The EU has published its Draft European Parliament Legislative Resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 (COM(2022)0071 - C9-0050/2022 - 2022/0051(COD)).
In a statement on Wednesday (Nov 16), MPOC however urged the EU Parliament to acknowledge national certification programmes like the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards as an effective measure to meet the requirements of the regulation.
The council said the MSPO stands ready to meet the requirements of the Deforestation Regulation.
It said that in anticipation of a global demand for sustainable palm oil, the national standard for palm oil production, the MSPO was made mandatory by 2020.
MPOC said that to date, 96% of Malaysian palm oil production including industrial stakeholders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and smallholders are certified by the MSPO.
It said this level of certification is more than adequate to meet the requirements of the EU’s Deforestation Regulation as Malaysian exports of palm oil to the union are covered under the MSPO as well as third-party voluntary schemes.
The council’s chief executive officer Wan Aishah Wan Hamid said the Malaysian government is firmly committed to the sustainability of palm oil production based on the country’s laws, governing its natural environment and the rights of all people in the industry.
“This removes the risk of companies that import Malaysian palm oil, from having to bear the liability of 'cause and harm' should infractions occur. The Edge Markets
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Malaysia-Sabah has surpassed 50% forest reserve target, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has surpassed the target under the 1989 Langkawi Declaration to maintain at least half its land mass as natural forests, with 53% designated permanent forest reserves or protected areas.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor noted how the country, especially Sabah, is home to a diverse biodiversity and an ecosystem of global importance, making conservation crucial.
"Even as nations were negotiating at the Earth Summit in 1992, Sabah was already charting its conservation road map.
"We had a head start drawing up recommendations and actions for implementation with strategies to promote, protect and sustainably manage natural resources, in line with the outcome of the Earth Summit and other conventions and treaties," he said at the 4th International Conference In Agroforestry (ICAF 2022) opening and welcoming dinner here on Tuesday (Nov 15).
Hajiji's speech was delivered by the state's Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan. The StarMY
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India raises base import price of palm oil, gold
MUMBAI, Nov 15 (Reuters) - India raised the base import prices of gold, crude and refined palm oil, the government said in a statement on Tuesday, as prices rose in the world market.
The government revises base import prices of edible oils, gold and silver every fortnight, and the prices are used to calculate the amount of tax an importer needs to pay.
India is the world's biggest importer of edible oils and silver and the second-biggest consumer of gold. Reuters
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November 15, 2022
Indonesia to boost share of China palm oil market as Covid rules ease, say analysts
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 14): Palm oil demand from major buyer China will likely recover next year, as the country loosens its zero-Covid rules, with Indonesia expected to win a bigger market share than smaller rival Malaysia, analysts said in an online seminar on Monday.
China is the world’s second-largest palm oil buyer, but consumption in the nation of 1.4 billion people has slowed due to Covid-19 lockdowns in several cities putting pressure on prices.
“Exports to China will pick up, as it is anticipated that China would gradually relax its zero-Covid policy, which has hindered palm oil consumption and demand,” Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) director-general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said.
Beijing last week eased some of its Covid rules and said it will keep fine-tuning its steps to control infections, raising hopes of a recovery in demand.
Ahmad Parveez said China is also developing its downstream production capabilities and exploring more investments in its refineries, particularly for specialty fats and biodiesel. The Edge Markets/ Reuters
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Opinion: You are now one of 8 billion humans alive today. Let’s talk overpopulation – and why low income countries aren’t the issue
Today is the Day of Eight Billion, according to the United Nations.
That’s an incredible number of humans, considering our population was around 2.5 billion in 1950. Watching our numbers tick over milestones can provoke anxiety. Do we have enough food? What does this mean for nature? Are more humans a catastrophe for climate change?
The answers are counterintuitive. Because rich countries use vastly more resources and energy, greening and reducing consumption in these countries is more effective and equitable than calling for population control in low income nations. Fertility rates in most of the world have fallen sharply. As countries get richer, they tend to have fewer children.
We can choose to adequately and equitably feed a population of 10 billion by 2050 – even as we reduce or eliminate global greenhouse gas emissions and staunch biodiversity loss. The Conversation
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Opinion: Brussels sprouts protectionism
It’s no longer a dirty word in the EU
Since Brexit, taboos which surrounded the powers of the European Union have been broken. During the Covid crisis, the EU engaged in joint vaccine purchasing. Also in 2020, a new 800 billion euro EU fund was agreed, which differs from ordinary EU spending by the fact that it is financed not by member state contributions but by jointly issued EU loans — amounting to Eurobonds in all but name. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU financed for the first time the purchase and delivery of weapons and other equipment to a country that was under attack. With the energy crisis in full swing, the EU is now demanding powers to force companies to prioritise production of key products and stockpile goods, in case of an emergency. The Critic UK
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New Research Shows That Investing in Women in Agriculture Generates Significant Value for Businesses and Investors
Ten years of global data from Root Capital—a nonprofit that supports the growth of agricultural enterprises in Africa, Latin America, and Indonesia—proves that gender-inclusive businesses are a smart investment
The business case for women’s leadership is clear. But little data exists on small and growing enterprises, especially in emerging economies. Even less data is available on the agricultural industry—a sector that 2.5 billion people globally depend on for their livelihoods, and one in which women receive only 7% of total investment.
Through an analysis of 10 years of Root Capital’s global data, Inclusion Pays: The Returns on Investing in Women in Agriculture sheds new light on the benefits—to women, businesses, and investors—of investing in women in agriculture. Root Capital
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Uganda-Minister draws army into palm oil land fight
The state minister for Economic Monitoring, Ms Beatrice Akello, has asked the army to deploy soldiers on a disputed piece of land where the government plans to set up palm oil plantations.
The land is in Nakiyaga and Birinzi villages in Bukakkata Sub- County, Masaka District.
Ms Akello said her investigations revealed that the project has been delayed because the area Member of Parliament, Mr Evans Kanyike, is using the cover of fighting for squatters to pursue his personal interests.
Government’s target is to get 4,000 hectares, mainly on the shores of Lake Victoria for the palm oil project. So far, 2,000 hectares have been secured.
The minister accused Mr Kanyike and a group of land brokers of inflating the number of squatters reported to be occupying the land to attract more compensation from the government.
“The government has already committed resources to this [palm oil] project because the available information indicates that landlords have been paid 25 percent of their money and we cannot seat back and watch as money is put to waste,” she said last week after inspecting part of the disputed land at Nakiyaga Village. Monitor UG
Indonesia to boost share of China palm oil market as Covid rules ease, say analysts
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 14): Palm oil demand from major buyer China will likely recover next year, as the country loosens its zero-Covid rules, with Indonesia expected to win a bigger market share than smaller rival Malaysia, analysts said in an online seminar on Monday.
China is the world’s second-largest palm oil buyer, but consumption in the nation of 1.4 billion people has slowed due to Covid-19 lockdowns in several cities putting pressure on prices.
“Exports to China will pick up, as it is anticipated that China would gradually relax its zero-Covid policy, which has hindered palm oil consumption and demand,” Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) director-general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said.
Beijing last week eased some of its Covid rules and said it will keep fine-tuning its steps to control infections, raising hopes of a recovery in demand.
Ahmad Parveez said China is also developing its downstream production capabilities and exploring more investments in its refineries, particularly for specialty fats and biodiesel. The Edge Markets/ Reuters
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Opinion: You are now one of 8 billion humans alive today. Let’s talk overpopulation – and why low income countries aren’t the issue
Today is the Day of Eight Billion, according to the United Nations.
That’s an incredible number of humans, considering our population was around 2.5 billion in 1950. Watching our numbers tick over milestones can provoke anxiety. Do we have enough food? What does this mean for nature? Are more humans a catastrophe for climate change?
The answers are counterintuitive. Because rich countries use vastly more resources and energy, greening and reducing consumption in these countries is more effective and equitable than calling for population control in low income nations. Fertility rates in most of the world have fallen sharply. As countries get richer, they tend to have fewer children.
We can choose to adequately and equitably feed a population of 10 billion by 2050 – even as we reduce or eliminate global greenhouse gas emissions and staunch biodiversity loss. The Conversation
---------
Opinion: Brussels sprouts protectionism
It’s no longer a dirty word in the EU
Since Brexit, taboos which surrounded the powers of the European Union have been broken. During the Covid crisis, the EU engaged in joint vaccine purchasing. Also in 2020, a new 800 billion euro EU fund was agreed, which differs from ordinary EU spending by the fact that it is financed not by member state contributions but by jointly issued EU loans — amounting to Eurobonds in all but name. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU financed for the first time the purchase and delivery of weapons and other equipment to a country that was under attack. With the energy crisis in full swing, the EU is now demanding powers to force companies to prioritise production of key products and stockpile goods, in case of an emergency. The Critic UK
---------
New Research Shows That Investing in Women in Agriculture Generates Significant Value for Businesses and Investors
Ten years of global data from Root Capital—a nonprofit that supports the growth of agricultural enterprises in Africa, Latin America, and Indonesia—proves that gender-inclusive businesses are a smart investment
The business case for women’s leadership is clear. But little data exists on small and growing enterprises, especially in emerging economies. Even less data is available on the agricultural industry—a sector that 2.5 billion people globally depend on for their livelihoods, and one in which women receive only 7% of total investment.
Through an analysis of 10 years of Root Capital’s global data, Inclusion Pays: The Returns on Investing in Women in Agriculture sheds new light on the benefits—to women, businesses, and investors—of investing in women in agriculture. Root Capital
---------
Uganda-Minister draws army into palm oil land fight
The state minister for Economic Monitoring, Ms Beatrice Akello, has asked the army to deploy soldiers on a disputed piece of land where the government plans to set up palm oil plantations.
The land is in Nakiyaga and Birinzi villages in Bukakkata Sub- County, Masaka District.
Ms Akello said her investigations revealed that the project has been delayed because the area Member of Parliament, Mr Evans Kanyike, is using the cover of fighting for squatters to pursue his personal interests.
Government’s target is to get 4,000 hectares, mainly on the shores of Lake Victoria for the palm oil project. So far, 2,000 hectares have been secured.
The minister accused Mr Kanyike and a group of land brokers of inflating the number of squatters reported to be occupying the land to attract more compensation from the government.
“The government has already committed resources to this [palm oil] project because the available information indicates that landlords have been paid 25 percent of their money and we cannot seat back and watch as money is put to waste,” she said last week after inspecting part of the disputed land at Nakiyaga Village. Monitor UG
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Deep Dive. Will India be self-reliant in edible oil production by 2030?
The Russia-Ukraine war has had an immense impact on the edible oil market and once again highlighted India’s vulnerability to the global edible market vagaries.
Even before the war, global vegetable oil supplies had tightened due to a drought in South America which resulted in the reduction of soybean yield.
Malaysia’s palm production, too, declined due to the impacts of Typhoon Rai in December 2021. Drought-impacted Canadian rapeseed production for 2021-22 declined 35 per cent from the previous year.
The war in Ukraine pushed prices of agricultural products to historically high levels and raised concerns about global food security. As with a number of other commodities, prices for many vegetable oils were at very high levels prior to the Russian invasion in February. Since then, vegetable oil prices have risen by almost 30 per cent in average. The Hindu Businessline
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Palm oil supply disruptions due to storms to continue until Q1 2023, Malaysia says
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Disruptions to crude palm oil supplies because of tropical storms are expected continue into the first quarter of 2023 , keeping prices upbeat in the near-term,Malaysia's industry officials said on Monday.
"Market price is anticipated to remain strong over concerns of bad weather affecting production in both Malaysia and Indonesia," Malaysian Palm Oil Board director-general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said in a presentation.
The supply and demand balance of palm oil is expected to remain uncertain next year due to shifts in weather patterns, the labour situation, currency volatility and policy and geopolitical instability, Ahmad Parveez said.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said flood-related supply worries combined with a weaker ringgit will keep prices of the edible oil between 4,000-4,400 ringgit a tonne until the end of the year. Nasdaq/ Reuters
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Indonesia-China ink $2.6B CPO, fishery trade deals
China has signed a US$2.6 billion worth of commitment to purchase crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivative products from Indonesia, allowing the archipelagic country to secure a trade boost from its number-one trading partner amid global recession. The sum covers a total of 2.5 million tonnes of CPO and some derivative products, involving deals between nine Indonesian firms and 13 buyers. “The signing today is a follow-up on a bilateral meeting between the two countries at the end of July, which underlines China’s commitment to purchase one million tonnes of Indonesian CPO and some fishery products,” Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said in a statement on Friday. The Jakarta Post
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Noodle diplomacy: the G20 and the politics of instant noodles
Discussions on the global trade of food and agriculture commodities will likely feature prominently at the 17th G20 Head of States and Government Summit in Bali, on 15-16 November. The global food system has been greatly affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Both countries are major exporters of staple grains and fertiliser, and Russia’s intermittent blockades of Ukrainian ports has disrupted food supply and agricultural operations across the world. The Covid-19 pandemic has also left a weakened global economy and the world is facing more frequent environmental disasters. Food is situated at the centre of this mess.
This global food crisis is different from the last, in 2007-2008, because it also involves heightened international political tensions, in particular, between NATO and Russia. This G20 Summit brings together the key members of these two blocs, making it one of the one of the most important meetings in 2022. The G20 countries are among the world’s largest food exporters and importers. Whether discussions will manage to resolve the food crisis depends largely on the trade agendas of the member states.
One way to understand the politics of G20 trade relations is through the global production and consumption of instant noodles. Indonesia at Melbourne
The Russia-Ukraine war has had an immense impact on the edible oil market and once again highlighted India’s vulnerability to the global edible market vagaries.
Even before the war, global vegetable oil supplies had tightened due to a drought in South America which resulted in the reduction of soybean yield.
Malaysia’s palm production, too, declined due to the impacts of Typhoon Rai in December 2021. Drought-impacted Canadian rapeseed production for 2021-22 declined 35 per cent from the previous year.
The war in Ukraine pushed prices of agricultural products to historically high levels and raised concerns about global food security. As with a number of other commodities, prices for many vegetable oils were at very high levels prior to the Russian invasion in February. Since then, vegetable oil prices have risen by almost 30 per cent in average. The Hindu Businessline
----------
Palm oil supply disruptions due to storms to continue until Q1 2023, Malaysia says
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Disruptions to crude palm oil supplies because of tropical storms are expected continue into the first quarter of 2023 , keeping prices upbeat in the near-term,Malaysia's industry officials said on Monday.
"Market price is anticipated to remain strong over concerns of bad weather affecting production in both Malaysia and Indonesia," Malaysian Palm Oil Board director-general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said in a presentation.
The supply and demand balance of palm oil is expected to remain uncertain next year due to shifts in weather patterns, the labour situation, currency volatility and policy and geopolitical instability, Ahmad Parveez said.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said flood-related supply worries combined with a weaker ringgit will keep prices of the edible oil between 4,000-4,400 ringgit a tonne until the end of the year. Nasdaq/ Reuters
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Indonesia-China ink $2.6B CPO, fishery trade deals
China has signed a US$2.6 billion worth of commitment to purchase crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivative products from Indonesia, allowing the archipelagic country to secure a trade boost from its number-one trading partner amid global recession. The sum covers a total of 2.5 million tonnes of CPO and some derivative products, involving deals between nine Indonesian firms and 13 buyers. “The signing today is a follow-up on a bilateral meeting between the two countries at the end of July, which underlines China’s commitment to purchase one million tonnes of Indonesian CPO and some fishery products,” Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said in a statement on Friday. The Jakarta Post
---------
Noodle diplomacy: the G20 and the politics of instant noodles
Discussions on the global trade of food and agriculture commodities will likely feature prominently at the 17th G20 Head of States and Government Summit in Bali, on 15-16 November. The global food system has been greatly affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Both countries are major exporters of staple grains and fertiliser, and Russia’s intermittent blockades of Ukrainian ports has disrupted food supply and agricultural operations across the world. The Covid-19 pandemic has also left a weakened global economy and the world is facing more frequent environmental disasters. Food is situated at the centre of this mess.
This global food crisis is different from the last, in 2007-2008, because it also involves heightened international political tensions, in particular, between NATO and Russia. This G20 Summit brings together the key members of these two blocs, making it one of the one of the most important meetings in 2022. The G20 countries are among the world’s largest food exporters and importers. Whether discussions will manage to resolve the food crisis depends largely on the trade agendas of the member states.
One way to understand the politics of G20 trade relations is through the global production and consumption of instant noodles. Indonesia at Melbourne
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Read curated news that impacts the global palm oil industry.
CSPO Watch News. Making it easy for you to monitor the palm oil industry
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November 13, 2022
Pakistan-Enhanced palm oil production to help reduce edible oil imports
ISLAMABAD-Pakistan needs to focus on large-scale palm oil cultivation to lessen its reliance on edible oil imports and save a significant amount of foreign exchange.
Talking to WealthPK, Principal Scientific Officer at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Nazakat Nawaz said, “Despite ecological diversity, suitable climate, and vast fertile land, Pakistan is unfortunately among the lowest edible oil-producing countries. Only 30% of our domestic oil needs are satisfied by local production, with the remaining 70% coming from imports. The cost of importing edible oil into Pakistan has surpassed $4 billion annually to meet the pressing demand of its population.”
“This demand-supply gap shows Pakistan’s heavy dependence on the imported oilseeds and refined palm oil. Although the government has started projects to increase the production of oilseeds from rapeseed, sunflower, and olive oil, the harvest cycle will take about the next seven years to complete.”
He added, “In accordance with the Preferential Trade Agreement, Pakistan buys 25% of its palm oil products from Malaysia and 75% of its palm oil products from Indonesia. Despite these agreements, Pakistan faces high export duties on crude palm oil and increasing prices of refined palm oil. Therefore, it is essential that Pakistan should go for palm oil plantations and reduce its import bill. Pakistan needs to take the advantage of its coastal zones where it can get maximum yield,” he said.
“Some of our areas are best for palm oil plantations with suitable temperatures between 24 and 35 degrees Celsius. For successful oil palm plantation in the coastal zone, land preparation is to be done as for other crops like cotton and wheat,” Nazakat said. NationPK
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India-Govt bats for GM mustard in SC: To make India self-sufficient in edible oil
The government said the present rate of edible oil consumption in India surpasses the domestic production rate and at present, India meets nearly 55-60% of its edible oil demand through imports
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that genetically modified (GM) mustard will contribute to Indias self-sustenance with respect to production of edible oil and it will go a long way in realising the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.
Recently, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) allowed the environmental release of GM mustard for seed production and testing.
In an affidavit filed before the top court, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said that increased domestic production of edible oil due to deployment of GM mustard hybrids will reduce the dependency on other exporting countries.
The government said the present rate of edible oil consumption in India surpasses the domestic production rate and at present, India meets nearly 55-60 per cent of its edible oil demand through imports.
The MoEFCC said the release of GM mustard parental lines would allow public and private organisations to produce productive hybrids of their own and DMH-11 is the first hybrid developed using the barnase/barstar technology, while more will follow. Business Standard
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November 11, 2022
Indonesia-Palm oil producers unconcerned as China, India move toward sustainability
Indonesian palm oil producers are optimistic they can overcome the challenges presented by China and India’s transition toward sustainability, as experts stress the importance of having the country’s local sustainability standards recognized globally.
China and India are Indonesia’s main crude palm oil (CPO) export markets. China, through the 2020 Green Value Chain Policy Proposal and the 2022 Palm Oil Consumption Guidelines, and India, through the 2018 Sustainable Palm Oil Coalition for India (India-SPOC), are seeking to ensure that the palm oil they import adheres to higher sustainability standards.
ukti Bagja, senior manager for smallholders and livelihood transformation at World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, said the mostly early-stage policy proposals marked the beginning of a push for greener palm oil supply chains. The Jakarta Post
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Indonesia to sell 2.5 million tonnes of palm oil to China
JAKARTA, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Nine Indonesian companies on Friday signed contracts to sell 2.5 million tonnes of palm oil products valued at $2.6 billion to 13 Chinese buyers, the Indonesian trade ministry said in a statement.
The deal was a follow up from President Joko Widodo's state visit to China in July. The Indonesian government initially said China had committed to import an additional 1 million tonnes of Indonesian crude palm oil.
Indonesia exported 6.6 million tonnes of palm oil products to China in 2021, the trade ministry said.
Indonesian trade minister Zulkifli Hasan said exports to China would not disrupt domestic cooking oil supply as the government has mandated exporters to supply the domestic market to obtain export permits. Reuters
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November 10, 2022
Ghana and 9 other African countries to sign the ASCI declaration
Ministers from ten African countries will today sign the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative Declaration, a single set of principles for the responsible production of agricultural commodities in Africa.
The Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) puts producer countries in Africa at the forefront of defining the principles for the sustainable development of cocoa, rubber, palm oil, coffee and other commodities, in a way that protects livelihoods and protects natural resources, including forests.
ASCI builds and expands upon principles agreed at CoP22 in 2016 for the palm oil sector. The ‘Marrakesh Declaration for Sustainable Development of the Palm Oil Sector’ acknowledged the role of agricultural commodity development as a driver of deforestation, while emphasising the critical role of forests and forest conservation in addressing climate change.
The Marrakesh Declaration has been implemented through the African Palm Oil Initiative (APOI), comprised of ten countries in West and Central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. These countries account for 25% of the world’s tropical forest and 75% of Africa’s forests. An initiative of the Tropical Forest Alliance, the APOI is facilitated by Proforest, who will be supporting the Africa-led Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative. News Ghana
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Pakistan-Enhanced palm oil production to help reduce edible oil imports
ISLAMABAD-Pakistan needs to focus on large-scale palm oil cultivation to lessen its reliance on edible oil imports and save a significant amount of foreign exchange.
Talking to WealthPK, Principal Scientific Officer at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Nazakat Nawaz said, “Despite ecological diversity, suitable climate, and vast fertile land, Pakistan is unfortunately among the lowest edible oil-producing countries. Only 30% of our domestic oil needs are satisfied by local production, with the remaining 70% coming from imports. The cost of importing edible oil into Pakistan has surpassed $4 billion annually to meet the pressing demand of its population.”
“This demand-supply gap shows Pakistan’s heavy dependence on the imported oilseeds and refined palm oil. Although the government has started projects to increase the production of oilseeds from rapeseed, sunflower, and olive oil, the harvest cycle will take about the next seven years to complete.”
He added, “In accordance with the Preferential Trade Agreement, Pakistan buys 25% of its palm oil products from Malaysia and 75% of its palm oil products from Indonesia. Despite these agreements, Pakistan faces high export duties on crude palm oil and increasing prices of refined palm oil. Therefore, it is essential that Pakistan should go for palm oil plantations and reduce its import bill. Pakistan needs to take the advantage of its coastal zones where it can get maximum yield,” he said.
“Some of our areas are best for palm oil plantations with suitable temperatures between 24 and 35 degrees Celsius. For successful oil palm plantation in the coastal zone, land preparation is to be done as for other crops like cotton and wheat,” Nazakat said. NationPK
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India-Govt bats for GM mustard in SC: To make India self-sufficient in edible oil
The government said the present rate of edible oil consumption in India surpasses the domestic production rate and at present, India meets nearly 55-60% of its edible oil demand through imports
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that genetically modified (GM) mustard will contribute to Indias self-sustenance with respect to production of edible oil and it will go a long way in realising the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.
Recently, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) allowed the environmental release of GM mustard for seed production and testing.
In an affidavit filed before the top court, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said that increased domestic production of edible oil due to deployment of GM mustard hybrids will reduce the dependency on other exporting countries.
The government said the present rate of edible oil consumption in India surpasses the domestic production rate and at present, India meets nearly 55-60 per cent of its edible oil demand through imports.
The MoEFCC said the release of GM mustard parental lines would allow public and private organisations to produce productive hybrids of their own and DMH-11 is the first hybrid developed using the barnase/barstar technology, while more will follow. Business Standard
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November 11, 2022
Indonesia-Palm oil producers unconcerned as China, India move toward sustainability
Indonesian palm oil producers are optimistic they can overcome the challenges presented by China and India’s transition toward sustainability, as experts stress the importance of having the country’s local sustainability standards recognized globally.
China and India are Indonesia’s main crude palm oil (CPO) export markets. China, through the 2020 Green Value Chain Policy Proposal and the 2022 Palm Oil Consumption Guidelines, and India, through the 2018 Sustainable Palm Oil Coalition for India (India-SPOC), are seeking to ensure that the palm oil they import adheres to higher sustainability standards.
ukti Bagja, senior manager for smallholders and livelihood transformation at World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, said the mostly early-stage policy proposals marked the beginning of a push for greener palm oil supply chains. The Jakarta Post
---------
Indonesia to sell 2.5 million tonnes of palm oil to China
JAKARTA, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Nine Indonesian companies on Friday signed contracts to sell 2.5 million tonnes of palm oil products valued at $2.6 billion to 13 Chinese buyers, the Indonesian trade ministry said in a statement.
The deal was a follow up from President Joko Widodo's state visit to China in July. The Indonesian government initially said China had committed to import an additional 1 million tonnes of Indonesian crude palm oil.
Indonesia exported 6.6 million tonnes of palm oil products to China in 2021, the trade ministry said.
Indonesian trade minister Zulkifli Hasan said exports to China would not disrupt domestic cooking oil supply as the government has mandated exporters to supply the domestic market to obtain export permits. Reuters
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November 10, 2022
Ghana and 9 other African countries to sign the ASCI declaration
Ministers from ten African countries will today sign the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative Declaration, a single set of principles for the responsible production of agricultural commodities in Africa.
The Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) puts producer countries in Africa at the forefront of defining the principles for the sustainable development of cocoa, rubber, palm oil, coffee and other commodities, in a way that protects livelihoods and protects natural resources, including forests.
ASCI builds and expands upon principles agreed at CoP22 in 2016 for the palm oil sector. The ‘Marrakesh Declaration for Sustainable Development of the Palm Oil Sector’ acknowledged the role of agricultural commodity development as a driver of deforestation, while emphasising the critical role of forests and forest conservation in addressing climate change.
The Marrakesh Declaration has been implemented through the African Palm Oil Initiative (APOI), comprised of ten countries in West and Central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. These countries account for 25% of the world’s tropical forest and 75% of Africa’s forests. An initiative of the Tropical Forest Alliance, the APOI is facilitated by Proforest, who will be supporting the Africa-led Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative. News Ghana
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November 09, 2022
Indonesia-Pertamina develops green business to support emission reduction
JAKARTA, Nov 9, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - - State-owned energy company PT Pertamina develops a number of green business initiatives to support Indonesia's goal to achieve net zero emission by 2060.
The company has been investing in biofuels, renewable energy, carbon capture, utilization and storage, battery and electric vehicles, hydrogen as well as the carbon business.
"Pertamina is committed to supporting the Indonesia government's commitment to achieve net zero by 2060 or sooner. Therefore, our business strategy consists of two pillars, namely decarbonizing our core business and developing a green business," CEO of Pertamina Power Indonesia Dannif Danusaputro stated at the Indonesia Pavilion at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Sunday (November 6).
He explained that Pertamina committed to allocating 14 percent of the projected 2022-2060 capital expenditure of US$70-80 billion US for the development of clean, new and renewable energy (NRE).
This commitment is in line with efforts to use domestic resources to supply domestic energy towards green development and decarbonization.
Pertamina also builds an integrated oil and gas supply chain to supply domestic needs and actively builds NRE portfolio using domestic resources. Street Insider
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Malaysia-KAB plans 1st biogas power plant with RM15m acquisition
ENGINEERING and energy solutions provider to acquire 100% stake in 2.4MW biogas power plant in Kedah supplying energy to the national grid until 2034
Kejuruteraan Asastera Bhd (KAB) is growing its sustainable energy solutions (SES) segment with its first biogas power plant, through the proposed acquisition of the entire equity of Future Biomass Gasification Sdn Bhd (FBG) for RM15 million.
FBG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Future NRG Sdn Bhd (FNSB), owns a biogas power plant in Kedah with an installed capacity of 2.4MW.
KAB told Bursa Malaysia today that it will benefit from long-term recurring income via FBG’s existing Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (REPPA) with Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
The REPPA is effective for a period of 16 years from March 2018 until March 2034, which enables FBG to supply power to the national grid.
“The addition of our first biogas power plant via the proposed acquisition of FBG, will broaden our portfolio of SES assets which currently comprises co-generation and waste-heat-recovery plants, as well as solar photovoltaic systems,” said KAB’s MD Datuk Lai Keng Onn.
“The biogas industry has great untapped potential in Malaysia, given the vast availability of palm oil effluent as fuel, and we aim to help Malaysia and other countries in the region achieve their renewable energy goals. The plant would also contribute to building a stable stream of long-term income for the group,” he added. The Malaysian Reserve
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EU-DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937
(COM(2022)0071 – C9-0050/2022 – 2022/0051(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading) EuropaPavda
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OPINION-COP27: Food industry plan to end deforestation ‘falls short’
A plan to end deforestation in soy, palm oil, beef and cacao production by 2025 — released by 14 major agricultural commodity companies including Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland, and JBS — falls far short of what would be needed to meet global climate goals, environmental groups say.
The roadmap, released on Monday as the UN climate change conference was underway in Egypt, lays out how the sector will reduce deforestation-linked emissions with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, in order to avert climate change’s most catastrophic effects. The forest, land and agricultural sector accounts for about a quarter of global greenhouse emissions — and land-use change such as cutting down forests to graze cattle or plowing up grasslands to plant crops is a key driver.
The companies pledged to develop plans for eliminating deforestation for specific commodities and to report yearly on their progress while also measuring and disclosing emissions from land-use change and supporting producers as they transition to “forest positive” practices. The Fern
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OPINION-NGOs: Agri-commodity trader roadmap falls short; it won’t put the sector on a 1.5C pathway
Fourteen of the world’s largest agricultural commodity and trading companies have released a roadmap aimed at addressing deforestation associated with palm, beef, and soy production in biomes around the world. Food Navigator
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OPINION-Zero Progress? One year on from COP26, GFANZ investors remain heavily exposed to deforestation
“Deforestation threatens to be the ’new coal’ in investors’ portfolios”, warned the UN's high level Climate Champions just a few weeks ago. This alarm bell came as little surprise. The blame for soaring deforestation rates has been widely laid at the door of beef, palm oil and soy agribusinesses in recent years – agribusinesses who frequently appear in the portfolios and balance sheets of the world’s top banks and managers.
Experts agree that hitting net zero will not be possible without an end to deforestation – currently responsible for up to 11% of global emissions and driven largely by agriculture.
The need to act now should be obvious to members of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), launched a few months before last year’s COP26 and bringing together hundreds of financial firms – together holding capital worth $130 trillion – in a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. As part of this commitment, all GFANZ members are expected to set a target to eliminate deforestation from their portfolios. Global Witness
Indonesia-Pertamina develops green business to support emission reduction
JAKARTA, Nov 9, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - - State-owned energy company PT Pertamina develops a number of green business initiatives to support Indonesia's goal to achieve net zero emission by 2060.
The company has been investing in biofuels, renewable energy, carbon capture, utilization and storage, battery and electric vehicles, hydrogen as well as the carbon business.
"Pertamina is committed to supporting the Indonesia government's commitment to achieve net zero by 2060 or sooner. Therefore, our business strategy consists of two pillars, namely decarbonizing our core business and developing a green business," CEO of Pertamina Power Indonesia Dannif Danusaputro stated at the Indonesia Pavilion at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Sunday (November 6).
He explained that Pertamina committed to allocating 14 percent of the projected 2022-2060 capital expenditure of US$70-80 billion US for the development of clean, new and renewable energy (NRE).
This commitment is in line with efforts to use domestic resources to supply domestic energy towards green development and decarbonization.
Pertamina also builds an integrated oil and gas supply chain to supply domestic needs and actively builds NRE portfolio using domestic resources. Street Insider
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Malaysia-KAB plans 1st biogas power plant with RM15m acquisition
ENGINEERING and energy solutions provider to acquire 100% stake in 2.4MW biogas power plant in Kedah supplying energy to the national grid until 2034
Kejuruteraan Asastera Bhd (KAB) is growing its sustainable energy solutions (SES) segment with its first biogas power plant, through the proposed acquisition of the entire equity of Future Biomass Gasification Sdn Bhd (FBG) for RM15 million.
FBG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Future NRG Sdn Bhd (FNSB), owns a biogas power plant in Kedah with an installed capacity of 2.4MW.
KAB told Bursa Malaysia today that it will benefit from long-term recurring income via FBG’s existing Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (REPPA) with Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
The REPPA is effective for a period of 16 years from March 2018 until March 2034, which enables FBG to supply power to the national grid.
“The addition of our first biogas power plant via the proposed acquisition of FBG, will broaden our portfolio of SES assets which currently comprises co-generation and waste-heat-recovery plants, as well as solar photovoltaic systems,” said KAB’s MD Datuk Lai Keng Onn.
“The biogas industry has great untapped potential in Malaysia, given the vast availability of palm oil effluent as fuel, and we aim to help Malaysia and other countries in the region achieve their renewable energy goals. The plant would also contribute to building a stable stream of long-term income for the group,” he added. The Malaysian Reserve
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EU-DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937
(COM(2022)0071 – C9-0050/2022 – 2022/0051(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading) EuropaPavda
---------
OPINION-COP27: Food industry plan to end deforestation ‘falls short’
A plan to end deforestation in soy, palm oil, beef and cacao production by 2025 — released by 14 major agricultural commodity companies including Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland, and JBS — falls far short of what would be needed to meet global climate goals, environmental groups say.
The roadmap, released on Monday as the UN climate change conference was underway in Egypt, lays out how the sector will reduce deforestation-linked emissions with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, in order to avert climate change’s most catastrophic effects. The forest, land and agricultural sector accounts for about a quarter of global greenhouse emissions — and land-use change such as cutting down forests to graze cattle or plowing up grasslands to plant crops is a key driver.
The companies pledged to develop plans for eliminating deforestation for specific commodities and to report yearly on their progress while also measuring and disclosing emissions from land-use change and supporting producers as they transition to “forest positive” practices. The Fern
---------
OPINION-NGOs: Agri-commodity trader roadmap falls short; it won’t put the sector on a 1.5C pathway
Fourteen of the world’s largest agricultural commodity and trading companies have released a roadmap aimed at addressing deforestation associated with palm, beef, and soy production in biomes around the world. Food Navigator
---------
OPINION-Zero Progress? One year on from COP26, GFANZ investors remain heavily exposed to deforestation
“Deforestation threatens to be the ’new coal’ in investors’ portfolios”, warned the UN's high level Climate Champions just a few weeks ago. This alarm bell came as little surprise. The blame for soaring deforestation rates has been widely laid at the door of beef, palm oil and soy agribusinesses in recent years – agribusinesses who frequently appear in the portfolios and balance sheets of the world’s top banks and managers.
Experts agree that hitting net zero will not be possible without an end to deforestation – currently responsible for up to 11% of global emissions and driven largely by agriculture.
The need to act now should be obvious to members of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), launched a few months before last year’s COP26 and bringing together hundreds of financial firms – together holding capital worth $130 trillion – in a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. As part of this commitment, all GFANZ members are expected to set a target to eliminate deforestation from their portfolios. Global Witness
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November 08, 2022
COP27: Major food firms detail plans to eliminate deforestation by 2025
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The world's largest food trading companies detailed a plan on Monday to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains for soy, beef and palm oil by 2025, a step seen as essential to averting catastrophic climate change.
Destruction of forests - like the Amazon rainforest to make way for farm fields and ranches or Indonesian jungle for palm oil - emits huge amounts of greenhouse gas each year, helping to drive climate change.
The roadmap, launched at the COP27 United Nations climate summit in Egypt, comprises 14 firms including Cargill, Bunge (BG.N), Archer Daniels Midland , Louis Dreyfus Company, Brazil's JBS (JBSS3.SA) and China's COFCO International.
The firms said the plan helps put the world on track to limit global warming to an increase of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the threshold beyond which scientists say climate change risks spinning out of control. Reuters
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U.S. rush for renewable diesel may ignite fresh food fight
LITTLETON, Colo Nov 8 (Reuters) - American trucking firms and airlines are on course to consume more renewable diesel than biodiesel for the first time in 2022, marking a significant milestone not just for the domestic fuel sector but also for global edible oil markets.
While renewable diesel and biodiesel are made from the same edible oils and animal fats, different manufacturing methods result in distinct end-product characteristics that have cemented renewable diesel's status as the world's fastest-growing biofuel.
Biodiesel is traditionally a blending component. It can only be added into the diesel pool in limited quantities due to its tendency to congeal at low temperatures and corrode rubber seals and tubes.
Renewable diesel, however, is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel - so can be consumed in place of or along with normal diesel in whatever quantities are desired by end users. Reuters
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Shell Oil purchases bio-oil recycler, expands palm oil business
Shell Eastern Petroleum, a unit of oil giant Shell, has announced that it has acquired Asia-based waste oil recycling firm EcoOils to expand its production of biofuels, including palm oil
In a statement, Shell Eastern said that after the acquisition, the company will also take over the subsidiaries of EcoOils in Malaysia, along with a 90 percent stake in its Indonesian subsidiaries
EcoOils can produce 65,000 tonnes per year of spent bleaching earth oil, a type of recycled oil that can be used as feedstock for biofuel production
SINGAPORE: Shell Eastern Petroleum, a unit of oil giant Shell, has announced that it has acquired Asia-based waste oil recycling firm EcoOils to expand its production of biofuels, including palm oil.
In a statement, Shell Eastern said that after the acquisition, the company will also take over the subsidiaries of EcoOils in Malaysia, along with a 90 percent stake in its Indonesian subsidiaries.
"This acquisition provides secure access to a recognized, advanced feedstock, which can be used at Shell's biofuels facilities to meet that aim," said Sinead Lynch of Shell, as quoted by Reuters.
EcoOils can produce 65,000 tonnes per year of spent bleaching earth oil, a type of recycled oil that can be used as feedstock for biofuel production.
The bleaching earth is a clay material used to absorb impurities during the palm oil refining process. Malaysia Sun
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November 07, 2022
Press Release: Biofuel Market to Gain Value of US$ 331.81 Bn by 2031: TMR Study
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UK-Aviation calls on UK government to subsidise ‘Jet Zero’ push
Britain will struggle to create an industry producing sustainable aviation fuel unless the government provides regular subsidies to manufacturers, leading airlines and airports have warned. The government has set a 2050 “Jet Zero” target for the airline industry to eliminate net carbon emissions, mainly through the use of green fuel produced by household waste such as cooking oil, known as “SAF”. The government has promised £165mn as seed capital to encourage manufacturers to open at least five plants producing the new fuel and hopes they will be under construction by 2025. It has also set a target under which 10 per cent of aviation fuel must be SAF by 2030. But leading airports and airlines, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester Airports Group, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have written to Mark Harper, the new transport secretary, calling for more state intervention to get the fledgling industry off the ground. Financial Times
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Enhanced collaboration for biomass sector between Japan and Indonesia
The Indonesian Embassy in Japan has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PPT Energy Trading (PPT ET), PT Agro Industri Mandiri and PT Inti Persada of Indonesia for the supply of biomass.
The embassy further facilitated the inking of an MoU between PT Riu Mamba Karya Sentosa and PT Alam Bumi Cemerlang in Fukuoda, Japan on 4 November, to conduct a study for the construction of a wood pellet plant.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo is always ready to become a bridge for various cooperation opportunities," Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi said in a statement on 5 November.
Indonesia is one of the biggest wood product exporters in the world, with a large forestry industry and abundant biomass, Akhmadi observed.
Indonesia's export of palm oil shell to other countries like Japan for biomass raw material also indicated an upward trend, he continued.
It brings major opportunities for enhanced cooperation between Indonesia and Japan specifically in the renewable energy sector. Bioenergy News
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(OPINION) Indonesian government aims to dominate sugar sector in same way as palm oil
The Indonesian government is to establish what will become the nation’s largest sugar company by 2028, aiming to seize control of the local sugar market in the same way it dominates the palm oil sector. Food Navigator Asia
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Indonesia-Jokowi Aims to Open Massive Land Plots for Sugarcane, Bioethanol
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is planning to plant 700,000 hectares worth of sugarcane, which will be carried out by state-owned plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara X (PTPN X). The purpose of the program is to become self-sufficient-in-producing sugar in the next five years.
According to the President, the total land space that has been successfully acquired currently amounts to 180,000 hectares.
The sugarcane plantation area is said to be spread throughout Indonesia. Currently, said Jokowi, only West Java, Central Java, and East Java have fertile soil quality for sugar cane cultivation.
“We will search outside of Java island as 700,000 hectares is not a small feat, but we will attempt our hardest to prepare it,” said the President in a press conference aired by the Presidential Secretariat Office via Youtube on Friday, November 4, 2022. Tempo
COP27: Major food firms detail plans to eliminate deforestation by 2025
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The world's largest food trading companies detailed a plan on Monday to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains for soy, beef and palm oil by 2025, a step seen as essential to averting catastrophic climate change.
Destruction of forests - like the Amazon rainforest to make way for farm fields and ranches or Indonesian jungle for palm oil - emits huge amounts of greenhouse gas each year, helping to drive climate change.
The roadmap, launched at the COP27 United Nations climate summit in Egypt, comprises 14 firms including Cargill, Bunge (BG.N), Archer Daniels Midland , Louis Dreyfus Company, Brazil's JBS (JBSS3.SA) and China's COFCO International.
The firms said the plan helps put the world on track to limit global warming to an increase of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the threshold beyond which scientists say climate change risks spinning out of control. Reuters
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U.S. rush for renewable diesel may ignite fresh food fight
LITTLETON, Colo Nov 8 (Reuters) - American trucking firms and airlines are on course to consume more renewable diesel than biodiesel for the first time in 2022, marking a significant milestone not just for the domestic fuel sector but also for global edible oil markets.
While renewable diesel and biodiesel are made from the same edible oils and animal fats, different manufacturing methods result in distinct end-product characteristics that have cemented renewable diesel's status as the world's fastest-growing biofuel.
Biodiesel is traditionally a blending component. It can only be added into the diesel pool in limited quantities due to its tendency to congeal at low temperatures and corrode rubber seals and tubes.
Renewable diesel, however, is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel - so can be consumed in place of or along with normal diesel in whatever quantities are desired by end users. Reuters
---------
Shell Oil purchases bio-oil recycler, expands palm oil business
Shell Eastern Petroleum, a unit of oil giant Shell, has announced that it has acquired Asia-based waste oil recycling firm EcoOils to expand its production of biofuels, including palm oil
In a statement, Shell Eastern said that after the acquisition, the company will also take over the subsidiaries of EcoOils in Malaysia, along with a 90 percent stake in its Indonesian subsidiaries
EcoOils can produce 65,000 tonnes per year of spent bleaching earth oil, a type of recycled oil that can be used as feedstock for biofuel production
SINGAPORE: Shell Eastern Petroleum, a unit of oil giant Shell, has announced that it has acquired Asia-based waste oil recycling firm EcoOils to expand its production of biofuels, including palm oil.
In a statement, Shell Eastern said that after the acquisition, the company will also take over the subsidiaries of EcoOils in Malaysia, along with a 90 percent stake in its Indonesian subsidiaries.
"This acquisition provides secure access to a recognized, advanced feedstock, which can be used at Shell's biofuels facilities to meet that aim," said Sinead Lynch of Shell, as quoted by Reuters.
EcoOils can produce 65,000 tonnes per year of spent bleaching earth oil, a type of recycled oil that can be used as feedstock for biofuel production.
The bleaching earth is a clay material used to absorb impurities during the palm oil refining process. Malaysia Sun
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November 07, 2022
Press Release: Biofuel Market to Gain Value of US$ 331.81 Bn by 2031: TMR Study
- The global Biofuel Market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 11.5% during 2022-2031
- Rising adoption of renewable energy across the globe is prognosticated to fuel the growth opportunities in the Biofuel Market
- The presence of stringent regulations in North America is boosting the demand for biofuels in the region
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UK-Aviation calls on UK government to subsidise ‘Jet Zero’ push
Britain will struggle to create an industry producing sustainable aviation fuel unless the government provides regular subsidies to manufacturers, leading airlines and airports have warned. The government has set a 2050 “Jet Zero” target for the airline industry to eliminate net carbon emissions, mainly through the use of green fuel produced by household waste such as cooking oil, known as “SAF”. The government has promised £165mn as seed capital to encourage manufacturers to open at least five plants producing the new fuel and hopes they will be under construction by 2025. It has also set a target under which 10 per cent of aviation fuel must be SAF by 2030. But leading airports and airlines, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester Airports Group, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have written to Mark Harper, the new transport secretary, calling for more state intervention to get the fledgling industry off the ground. Financial Times
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Enhanced collaboration for biomass sector between Japan and Indonesia
The Indonesian Embassy in Japan has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PPT Energy Trading (PPT ET), PT Agro Industri Mandiri and PT Inti Persada of Indonesia for the supply of biomass.
The embassy further facilitated the inking of an MoU between PT Riu Mamba Karya Sentosa and PT Alam Bumi Cemerlang in Fukuoda, Japan on 4 November, to conduct a study for the construction of a wood pellet plant.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo is always ready to become a bridge for various cooperation opportunities," Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi said in a statement on 5 November.
Indonesia is one of the biggest wood product exporters in the world, with a large forestry industry and abundant biomass, Akhmadi observed.
Indonesia's export of palm oil shell to other countries like Japan for biomass raw material also indicated an upward trend, he continued.
It brings major opportunities for enhanced cooperation between Indonesia and Japan specifically in the renewable energy sector. Bioenergy News
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(OPINION) Indonesian government aims to dominate sugar sector in same way as palm oil
The Indonesian government is to establish what will become the nation’s largest sugar company by 2028, aiming to seize control of the local sugar market in the same way it dominates the palm oil sector. Food Navigator Asia
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Indonesia-Jokowi Aims to Open Massive Land Plots for Sugarcane, Bioethanol
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is planning to plant 700,000 hectares worth of sugarcane, which will be carried out by state-owned plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara X (PTPN X). The purpose of the program is to become self-sufficient-in-producing sugar in the next five years.
According to the President, the total land space that has been successfully acquired currently amounts to 180,000 hectares.
The sugarcane plantation area is said to be spread throughout Indonesia. Currently, said Jokowi, only West Java, Central Java, and East Java have fertile soil quality for sugar cane cultivation.
“We will search outside of Java island as 700,000 hectares is not a small feat, but we will attempt our hardest to prepare it,” said the President in a press conference aired by the Presidential Secretariat Office via Youtube on Friday, November 4, 2022. Tempo
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November 05, 2022
Last Year's Deforestation Pledge Is off to a Slow Start
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – One year after more than 140 countries pledged to halt all deforestation by 2030, little has been done to finance protections or pass new conservation laws, experts say.
The pledge was praised widely at last year’s COP26 climate summit, particularly as Brazil, Indonesia and Congo all signed on. The three countries together comprise more than half of the world’s tropical rainforests.
“What became of those pledges? Are we on track to meet them? The short answer … is no,” said Erin Matson, who coordinated non-profits in producing the Forest Declaration Assessment report last month.
To fulfill the pledge, the world would need to ensure 10% less area is deforested on average each year from 2021 to 2030. Instead, deforestation fell only 6.3% last year, as two of the three rainforest nations faced early stumbles.
The report draws on data from the Global Forest Watch monitoring project, and looks at developments in financing, conservation laws and sustainable food production. US News/ Reuters
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Brazil, Indonesia and DRC in talks to form ‘Opec of rainforests’
The big three tropical rainforest nations – Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – are in talks to form a strategic alliance to coordinate on their conservation, nicknamed an “Opec for rainforests”, the Guardian understands.
The election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, has been followed by a flurry of activity to avoid the destruction of the Amazon, which scientists have warned is dangerously close to tipping point after years of deforestation under its far-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro.
During his first speech as president-elect, Lula pledged to fight for zero deforestation in the Amazon, while Colombia has proposed creating an Amazon bloc at Cop27, and Norway’s environment minister is moving to reinstate a billion-dollar fund to protect the rainforest after it was halted under Bolsonaro.
Brazil, Indonesia and DRC are home to 52% of the world’s remaining primary tropical forests, which are crucial to avoiding climate catastrophe, and the conservation talks are fulfilling a campaign promise by Lula. The Guardian
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India-Oil Palm: Life to livelihood, good health
Income from plantations attracts food and non-food sectors’ business activities in rural areas
The edible oil industry in India is strategic in nature, not only because of its mass consumption but also its contribution to rural employment and rural development. Moreover, this industry plays an important role in India’s economy, specifically when it costs our country well over $14.5 billion to import various vegetable edible oils during the oil year 2021-22 (November to October) to augment domestic availability.
Palm oil constitutes 37 per cent of edible oil demand and over 60 per cent in the import basket of edible oils. The growing concern today in India is to increase edible oil production through large-scale oil palm plantations, being the highest oil-yielding crop per hectare (ha.), involving smallholder (SH) farmers. We can get 10-16 times more palm oil than soyabean oil per ha. This will help to reduce import of edible oil in future. The Hindu Businessline
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Last Year's Deforestation Pledge Is off to a Slow Start
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – One year after more than 140 countries pledged to halt all deforestation by 2030, little has been done to finance protections or pass new conservation laws, experts say.
The pledge was praised widely at last year’s COP26 climate summit, particularly as Brazil, Indonesia and Congo all signed on. The three countries together comprise more than half of the world’s tropical rainforests.
“What became of those pledges? Are we on track to meet them? The short answer … is no,” said Erin Matson, who coordinated non-profits in producing the Forest Declaration Assessment report last month.
To fulfill the pledge, the world would need to ensure 10% less area is deforested on average each year from 2021 to 2030. Instead, deforestation fell only 6.3% last year, as two of the three rainforest nations faced early stumbles.
The report draws on data from the Global Forest Watch monitoring project, and looks at developments in financing, conservation laws and sustainable food production. US News/ Reuters
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Brazil, Indonesia and DRC in talks to form ‘Opec of rainforests’
The big three tropical rainforest nations – Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – are in talks to form a strategic alliance to coordinate on their conservation, nicknamed an “Opec for rainforests”, the Guardian understands.
The election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, has been followed by a flurry of activity to avoid the destruction of the Amazon, which scientists have warned is dangerously close to tipping point after years of deforestation under its far-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro.
During his first speech as president-elect, Lula pledged to fight for zero deforestation in the Amazon, while Colombia has proposed creating an Amazon bloc at Cop27, and Norway’s environment minister is moving to reinstate a billion-dollar fund to protect the rainforest after it was halted under Bolsonaro.
Brazil, Indonesia and DRC are home to 52% of the world’s remaining primary tropical forests, which are crucial to avoiding climate catastrophe, and the conservation talks are fulfilling a campaign promise by Lula. The Guardian
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India-Oil Palm: Life to livelihood, good health
Income from plantations attracts food and non-food sectors’ business activities in rural areas
The edible oil industry in India is strategic in nature, not only because of its mass consumption but also its contribution to rural employment and rural development. Moreover, this industry plays an important role in India’s economy, specifically when it costs our country well over $14.5 billion to import various vegetable edible oils during the oil year 2021-22 (November to October) to augment domestic availability.
Palm oil constitutes 37 per cent of edible oil demand and over 60 per cent in the import basket of edible oils. The growing concern today in India is to increase edible oil production through large-scale oil palm plantations, being the highest oil-yielding crop per hectare (ha.), involving smallholder (SH) farmers. We can get 10-16 times more palm oil than soyabean oil per ha. This will help to reduce import of edible oil in future. The Hindu Businessline
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November 04, 2022
Can a Nation Replace Its Oil Wealth With Trees?
Gabon knows its oil won’t last forever, so officials are turning to the Central African nation’s rainforest for revenue — while also promising to preserve it.
The nation of Gabon is so lush with forests and wildlife its nickname is Africa’s Eden. It’s also one of the continent’s major oil producers.
Gabon for decades has relied on petroleum to drive its economy. But officials know their oil won’t last forever. So they’ve turned to Gabon’s other abundant resource — a huge Congo Basin rainforest, full of valuable trees — to help make up the difference once the oil is gone.
Gabon is engaging in activities that have become dirty words in the world of climate activism: It allows palm-oil plantations in certain areas and is turning rainforest into plywood. However, unlike Brazil and other countries that have stood by as rainforests are decimated, Gabon has adopted strict rules designed to keep the vast majority of its trees standing. Its aim is to strike an important balance between the needs of a single nation and those of a world facing a climate crisis. New York Times
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Indonesia continues to promote palm oil as green product in EU
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has continued to promote palm oil as an eco-friendly commodity in the European Union (EU) and adhere to global standards for sustainable palm oil production.
In July 2022, Indonesia, along with other countries affected by the EU’s decision to no longer consider palm oil as a green fuel, submitted a joint letter of objection to EU leaders, the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, Andri Hadi, informed.
The letter highlighted Indonesia's position as an open country that supports deforestation-free and environmental preservation regulations, he noted at the Indonesian Palm Oil Conference (IPOC) here on Thursday.
Indonesia is primarily promoting the fact that the cultivation of commodities such as palm has an important role in the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), including supporting small farmers, he explained.
The challenges faced by the palm industry in the future will not be easy. In addition to the World Trade Organization’s stringent regulation on palm, it will need to adhere to several regulations, such as the regulation on deforestation and environmental preservation. Antara News
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Indonesia-SVOC: COLLABORATION TO ENSURE FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
BALI, Indonesia, Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The G20 Sustainable Vegetable Oils Conference (SVOC), which took place today (3 November 2022) in Bali, was a resounding success, with the participation of the most important stakeholders in the vegetable oil sector. Taking part in the conference, organized by the Indonesian government and co-organized by the Indonesia Oil Palm Plantations Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA), were representatives of the main producer countries: China, India, Russia and Ukraine, as well as Indonesia and Malaysia. This shows that in this period marked by international conflict and geopolitical tension, the community of vegetable oils producers stand united and not divided, in a shared common interest to ensure and food and energy security and to allow the economy to grow given the rapid growth of population and the climate crisis.
The Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto reiterated the importance of ensuring the availability, accessibility and affordability of agricultural commodities in the global market, including vegetable oils. "We need to move quickly and decisively to working together in confronting structural market issues that may exacerbate adverse impacts", said Airlangga.
Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, People's Republic of China, Ma Youxiang emphasized that China is transitioning to green development and tackling climate change through collaboration with other countries towards sustainability in the vegetable oil sector. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare of India, Shobha Karandlaje, called on the importance of new climate resilient oilseeds that would be beneficial for both poor and developed countries in the future. Both calls were delivered in the hybrid conference attended by more than 500 participants from 41 producing and consuming countries. PR Newswire
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Indonesia’s KPBN Seeks to Take Part in Making Global CPO PriceBali. Kharisma Pemasaran Bersama Nusantara or KPBN aims to make Indonesia take part in the dynamics of forming the global price of crude palm oil or CPO, and also become the price reference for both the domestic and global market, according to the company’s president director Rahmanto Amin Jatmiko.Although Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer, global industry players still refer to Malaysia’s MDEX and the Rotterdam Exchange in the Netherlands.
KPBN has held CPO commodity exchanges for palm oil industry players in Indonesia since 1968. Its daily commodity exchange of CPO has become an integral part of making CPO prices in the country. Also, the Agriculture Ministry relies on KPBN as a benchmark for fresh fruit bunch prices from oil palm farmers. And the Energy Ministry has treated it as a reference for biodiesel subsidies.
"The upcoming program is establishing Indonesia to participate in coloring the dynamics of forming world CPO price through the activity of commodity exchanges held by KPBN, that is our determination and initiative," Rahmanto said in a statement on Thursday.
As an initial step, KPBN has teamed up with international news outlets Reuters and Bloomberg.
"One of the benefits of this collaboration is that the prices formed through KPBN Commodity Exchange will appear on the terminal system platform from Bloomberg and Reuters, and side by side with information from other major world exchanges, making it possible to be accessed by interested parties not only in Indonesia but also worldwide,” Rahmanto said. Jakarta Globe
Can a Nation Replace Its Oil Wealth With Trees?
Gabon knows its oil won’t last forever, so officials are turning to the Central African nation’s rainforest for revenue — while also promising to preserve it.
The nation of Gabon is so lush with forests and wildlife its nickname is Africa’s Eden. It’s also one of the continent’s major oil producers.
Gabon for decades has relied on petroleum to drive its economy. But officials know their oil won’t last forever. So they’ve turned to Gabon’s other abundant resource — a huge Congo Basin rainforest, full of valuable trees — to help make up the difference once the oil is gone.
Gabon is engaging in activities that have become dirty words in the world of climate activism: It allows palm-oil plantations in certain areas and is turning rainforest into plywood. However, unlike Brazil and other countries that have stood by as rainforests are decimated, Gabon has adopted strict rules designed to keep the vast majority of its trees standing. Its aim is to strike an important balance between the needs of a single nation and those of a world facing a climate crisis. New York Times
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Indonesia continues to promote palm oil as green product in EU
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has continued to promote palm oil as an eco-friendly commodity in the European Union (EU) and adhere to global standards for sustainable palm oil production.
In July 2022, Indonesia, along with other countries affected by the EU’s decision to no longer consider palm oil as a green fuel, submitted a joint letter of objection to EU leaders, the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, Andri Hadi, informed.
The letter highlighted Indonesia's position as an open country that supports deforestation-free and environmental preservation regulations, he noted at the Indonesian Palm Oil Conference (IPOC) here on Thursday.
Indonesia is primarily promoting the fact that the cultivation of commodities such as palm has an important role in the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), including supporting small farmers, he explained.
The challenges faced by the palm industry in the future will not be easy. In addition to the World Trade Organization’s stringent regulation on palm, it will need to adhere to several regulations, such as the regulation on deforestation and environmental preservation. Antara News
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Indonesia-SVOC: COLLABORATION TO ENSURE FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
BALI, Indonesia, Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The G20 Sustainable Vegetable Oils Conference (SVOC), which took place today (3 November 2022) in Bali, was a resounding success, with the participation of the most important stakeholders in the vegetable oil sector. Taking part in the conference, organized by the Indonesian government and co-organized by the Indonesia Oil Palm Plantations Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA), were representatives of the main producer countries: China, India, Russia and Ukraine, as well as Indonesia and Malaysia. This shows that in this period marked by international conflict and geopolitical tension, the community of vegetable oils producers stand united and not divided, in a shared common interest to ensure and food and energy security and to allow the economy to grow given the rapid growth of population and the climate crisis.
The Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto reiterated the importance of ensuring the availability, accessibility and affordability of agricultural commodities in the global market, including vegetable oils. "We need to move quickly and decisively to working together in confronting structural market issues that may exacerbate adverse impacts", said Airlangga.
Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, People's Republic of China, Ma Youxiang emphasized that China is transitioning to green development and tackling climate change through collaboration with other countries towards sustainability in the vegetable oil sector. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare of India, Shobha Karandlaje, called on the importance of new climate resilient oilseeds that would be beneficial for both poor and developed countries in the future. Both calls were delivered in the hybrid conference attended by more than 500 participants from 41 producing and consuming countries. PR Newswire
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Indonesia’s KPBN Seeks to Take Part in Making Global CPO PriceBali. Kharisma Pemasaran Bersama Nusantara or KPBN aims to make Indonesia take part in the dynamics of forming the global price of crude palm oil or CPO, and also become the price reference for both the domestic and global market, according to the company’s president director Rahmanto Amin Jatmiko.Although Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer, global industry players still refer to Malaysia’s MDEX and the Rotterdam Exchange in the Netherlands.
KPBN has held CPO commodity exchanges for palm oil industry players in Indonesia since 1968. Its daily commodity exchange of CPO has become an integral part of making CPO prices in the country. Also, the Agriculture Ministry relies on KPBN as a benchmark for fresh fruit bunch prices from oil palm farmers. And the Energy Ministry has treated it as a reference for biodiesel subsidies.
"The upcoming program is establishing Indonesia to participate in coloring the dynamics of forming world CPO price through the activity of commodity exchanges held by KPBN, that is our determination and initiative," Rahmanto said in a statement on Thursday.
As an initial step, KPBN has teamed up with international news outlets Reuters and Bloomberg.
"One of the benefits of this collaboration is that the prices formed through KPBN Commodity Exchange will appear on the terminal system platform from Bloomberg and Reuters, and side by side with information from other major world exchanges, making it possible to be accessed by interested parties not only in Indonesia but also worldwide,” Rahmanto said. Jakarta Globe
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November 03, 2022
FEDIOL, together with other European industry sectors, addressed an open letter to EU institutions to express recommendations regarding the ongoing negotiations on a regulatory framework for #deforestation-free
Our organisations represent European industry sectors trading, using and processing agri-food products as
palm oil, coffee, soy, livestock and meat. We would like to express our views regarding the ongoing
negotiations on a regulatory framework for deforestation-free supply chains (Regulation (EU) No
2021/0366).
Unintended consequences of the regulatory proposal
We share the ambition to tackle climate change, deforestation, and forest degradation and believe that
regulatory intervention at EU level is appropriate to address these issues. However, we fear some of the
foreseen provisions may discourage actors who were on the right track to more sustainable production.
For instance, the provisions around information requirements do not appear to reflect current market
practices and are not inclusive of important players in the various supply chains. This is especially the case
for smallholders and farmers, whose production output represents a significant volume of traded
commodities. Furthermore, the current text of the regulatory proposal will lead to serious disruptions in
the supply chains of several commodities unless pragmatic solutions take into account the reality of
commodity-specific trade. These disruptions will be felt by the European agri-food and chemical sectors, at
the core of manufacturing key ingredients/building blocks for our daily products – from food and
pharmaceuticals to personal care products.
The need for adequate information requirements
Today most of the operators and/or traders have commitments and are actively engaged in sustainably
sourcing their raw materials and are working towards achieving full traceability of their supply chains. The
reality and complexity of the supply chains are such that not all commodities listed in Annex I of the
proposed regulation can be fully traced back to the plot of land. The proposed due diligence obligations
and information requirements as currently described in the regulatory proposal do not mirror (1) the
current production process of each commodity and/or product, (2) the traceability of supply chains across
commodities grown and/or produced by smallholders and (3) the local laws and governance of producing
countries. Therefore, we strongly support the European Parliament’s position to develop commodityspecific guidelines to help operators, in particular SMEs, to comply with the requirements of this
Regulation.
The proposed regulation requires information on geolocation coordinates of the plot of land where
commodities are produced. This provision raises concerns in several producing countries, where
governments forbid the sharing of such information (e.g. concession maps and auctions), considered to be
personal information of farmers and smallholders and ultimately a breach of data privacy protection laws
of producing countries.
Strengthen partnerships with producing countries and industries
Efforts of producing countries need to be acknowledged. If no incentives are guaranteed to such countries,
they will turn to other markets located in other parts of the world. We call upon the European Commission
to strengthen partnerships with producing countries and address any legal and practical impediments to
compliance with the EU Regulation, to avoid discouraging sustainable production in areas already engaged
in addressing deforestation and forest degradation. FEDIOL
----------
(OPINION) Can the EU and Indonesia Sign Their Elusive Free Trade Agreement?
There is a tension between Brussels’ environmental concerns and its desire to boost its commercial engagement with the Asia-Pacific.
With the war in Ukraine raging and continuing to disrupt global supply chains, the European Union has sought to hasten negotiations of free trade agreements (FTAs) with third-party nations. One of the largest potential partner countries also remains among the most elusive: Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The country of 275 million people boasts a GDP of nearly $1.2 trillion and is projected by some to be the world’s seventh-largest economy by 2030.
Since official negotiations launched in July 2016, 11 rounds of negotiations have taken place. But talks have stalled as disputes persist over the EU’s ban on palm oil and Indonesia’s ban on nickel exports. Still, Brussels should prioritize its geostrategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and accelerate an agreement by opening its single market to more sustainable palm oil products in exchange for negotiating limited nickel exports from Jakarta.
While the EU has vowed to increase its “strategic engagement” with the Indo-Pacific, the bloc’s words are currently not matched by its actions. The EU remains absent from Asia’s two largest trade agreements: the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Indonesia boasts the largest economy in Southeast Asia by far but ranks as just the fifth-largest trading partner of the EU in the region, behind Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Brussels’ economic absence from the region contrasts with the growing Chinese economic activity in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Beijing is Jakarta’s largest trading partner with over $124 billion in bilateral trade in 2021, more than quintuple the $24 billion in EU-Indonesia trade over the same period. Announced in 2021, Brussels’s Global Gateway strategy has sought to remedy this by supporting infrastructure projects in developing countries, positioning itself as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). But China has already supported $740 billion worth of BRI projects in Southeast Asia alone, more than double the $295 billion that the EU aims to raise by 2027 for Global Gateway projects worldwide. The “world’s regulator” cannot write the rules of the international trading system in a region where it is insufficiently present. The Diplomat
---------
OPINION-Indonesia and UK Should Work Together on Palm Oil Certification
In the London Daily Express, Musdalifah Machmud, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Food, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, writes that the UK and Indonesia have an opportunity to formally recognise the ISPO standard under Secondary Legislation.
The Indonesian government’s Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard is on track to become the world’s largest-ever sustainability scheme, covering 4 million small farmers as well as the world’s largest palm oil industry.
The UK Government’s Due Diligence legislation is a good example of how a ‘legality standard’ approach can help sustainability both for importers, and for producing countries. This must be maintained in Secondary Legislation; there is no justification for discrimination against Indonesian palm oil.
The Minister writes:
“Crucially, the UK’s due diligence approach is based on a legality standard that respects Indonesian laws: in other words, it is a cooperative effort rather than a unilateral one.
This must remain in place. The Secondary Legislation being considered now by DEFRA should not discriminate against palm oil: this might be popular amongst some NGOs, but it would undermine the open trading relationship that the UK and Indonesia are both seeking to build.
The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard, soon to become the world’s largest-ever sustainability scheme covering hundreds of thousands of our palm oil farmers, can give the U.K. the assurance that laws are enforced and illegal deforestation curtailed. ISPO can – and should – be recognised by the UK as an accepted due diligence standard under the Environment Act.” Read more about Indonesia’s ISPO scheme here: https://www.indonesiapalmoilfacts.com/ispo/
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India-SEA renews pact with Indonesian Palm Oil Board
The Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) of India, Solidaridad, and the Indonesian Palm Oil Board have renewed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote sustainable palm oil production and trade.
The renewal of the agreement was done at the Indonesia-India Palm Oil Joint Working Group meeting at Nusa Dua in Bali of Indonesia on Thursday. The Hindu Businessline
---------
Indonesia-Government Warned against Banning Palm Oil Exports
Bali. The government’s decision to halt palm oil export to cool cooking oil prices earlier this year was not without consequences, and this is something that the government should take note of in future policymaking, according to the 2022 Indonesian Palm Oil Conference or IPOC.
Indonesia in late April suspended exports of its palm oil and its derivatives in the face of cooking oil price hikes.
When the ban was in effect, companies had to deal with overflowing stockpiles. Farmers raised concerns over the declining purchase of oil palm fruit and domestic price, according to Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) chairman Joko Supriyono.
The ban only lasted for three weeks. However, recovering from the short-lived ban was not a skip in the park.
“The recovery from the impact was not as easy as expected. After the lifting of the export restriction, exports began to increase but were not maximized due to several factors, ranging from the unavailability of transport vessels to high prices, so that purchasing power weakened,” Joko said at the 2022 IPOC in Bali on Thursday.
Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) commented on the temporary palm oil export restriction. The ban came at a time when the palm oil price was skyrocketing. With Indonesia out of the market, this only gave more room for other palm oil-producing countries. This is something that the government should take note of in future policymaking. Jakarta Globe
FEDIOL, together with other European industry sectors, addressed an open letter to EU institutions to express recommendations regarding the ongoing negotiations on a regulatory framework for #deforestation-free
Our organisations represent European industry sectors trading, using and processing agri-food products as
palm oil, coffee, soy, livestock and meat. We would like to express our views regarding the ongoing
negotiations on a regulatory framework for deforestation-free supply chains (Regulation (EU) No
2021/0366).
Unintended consequences of the regulatory proposal
We share the ambition to tackle climate change, deforestation, and forest degradation and believe that
regulatory intervention at EU level is appropriate to address these issues. However, we fear some of the
foreseen provisions may discourage actors who were on the right track to more sustainable production.
For instance, the provisions around information requirements do not appear to reflect current market
practices and are not inclusive of important players in the various supply chains. This is especially the case
for smallholders and farmers, whose production output represents a significant volume of traded
commodities. Furthermore, the current text of the regulatory proposal will lead to serious disruptions in
the supply chains of several commodities unless pragmatic solutions take into account the reality of
commodity-specific trade. These disruptions will be felt by the European agri-food and chemical sectors, at
the core of manufacturing key ingredients/building blocks for our daily products – from food and
pharmaceuticals to personal care products.
The need for adequate information requirements
Today most of the operators and/or traders have commitments and are actively engaged in sustainably
sourcing their raw materials and are working towards achieving full traceability of their supply chains. The
reality and complexity of the supply chains are such that not all commodities listed in Annex I of the
proposed regulation can be fully traced back to the plot of land. The proposed due diligence obligations
and information requirements as currently described in the regulatory proposal do not mirror (1) the
current production process of each commodity and/or product, (2) the traceability of supply chains across
commodities grown and/or produced by smallholders and (3) the local laws and governance of producing
countries. Therefore, we strongly support the European Parliament’s position to develop commodityspecific guidelines to help operators, in particular SMEs, to comply with the requirements of this
Regulation.
The proposed regulation requires information on geolocation coordinates of the plot of land where
commodities are produced. This provision raises concerns in several producing countries, where
governments forbid the sharing of such information (e.g. concession maps and auctions), considered to be
personal information of farmers and smallholders and ultimately a breach of data privacy protection laws
of producing countries.
Strengthen partnerships with producing countries and industries
Efforts of producing countries need to be acknowledged. If no incentives are guaranteed to such countries,
they will turn to other markets located in other parts of the world. We call upon the European Commission
to strengthen partnerships with producing countries and address any legal and practical impediments to
compliance with the EU Regulation, to avoid discouraging sustainable production in areas already engaged
in addressing deforestation and forest degradation. FEDIOL
----------
(OPINION) Can the EU and Indonesia Sign Their Elusive Free Trade Agreement?
There is a tension between Brussels’ environmental concerns and its desire to boost its commercial engagement with the Asia-Pacific.
With the war in Ukraine raging and continuing to disrupt global supply chains, the European Union has sought to hasten negotiations of free trade agreements (FTAs) with third-party nations. One of the largest potential partner countries also remains among the most elusive: Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The country of 275 million people boasts a GDP of nearly $1.2 trillion and is projected by some to be the world’s seventh-largest economy by 2030.
Since official negotiations launched in July 2016, 11 rounds of negotiations have taken place. But talks have stalled as disputes persist over the EU’s ban on palm oil and Indonesia’s ban on nickel exports. Still, Brussels should prioritize its geostrategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and accelerate an agreement by opening its single market to more sustainable palm oil products in exchange for negotiating limited nickel exports from Jakarta.
While the EU has vowed to increase its “strategic engagement” with the Indo-Pacific, the bloc’s words are currently not matched by its actions. The EU remains absent from Asia’s two largest trade agreements: the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Indonesia boasts the largest economy in Southeast Asia by far but ranks as just the fifth-largest trading partner of the EU in the region, behind Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Brussels’ economic absence from the region contrasts with the growing Chinese economic activity in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Beijing is Jakarta’s largest trading partner with over $124 billion in bilateral trade in 2021, more than quintuple the $24 billion in EU-Indonesia trade over the same period. Announced in 2021, Brussels’s Global Gateway strategy has sought to remedy this by supporting infrastructure projects in developing countries, positioning itself as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). But China has already supported $740 billion worth of BRI projects in Southeast Asia alone, more than double the $295 billion that the EU aims to raise by 2027 for Global Gateway projects worldwide. The “world’s regulator” cannot write the rules of the international trading system in a region where it is insufficiently present. The Diplomat
---------
OPINION-Indonesia and UK Should Work Together on Palm Oil Certification
In the London Daily Express, Musdalifah Machmud, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Food, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, writes that the UK and Indonesia have an opportunity to formally recognise the ISPO standard under Secondary Legislation.
The Indonesian government’s Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard is on track to become the world’s largest-ever sustainability scheme, covering 4 million small farmers as well as the world’s largest palm oil industry.
The UK Government’s Due Diligence legislation is a good example of how a ‘legality standard’ approach can help sustainability both for importers, and for producing countries. This must be maintained in Secondary Legislation; there is no justification for discrimination against Indonesian palm oil.
The Minister writes:
“Crucially, the UK’s due diligence approach is based on a legality standard that respects Indonesian laws: in other words, it is a cooperative effort rather than a unilateral one.
This must remain in place. The Secondary Legislation being considered now by DEFRA should not discriminate against palm oil: this might be popular amongst some NGOs, but it would undermine the open trading relationship that the UK and Indonesia are both seeking to build.
The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard, soon to become the world’s largest-ever sustainability scheme covering hundreds of thousands of our palm oil farmers, can give the U.K. the assurance that laws are enforced and illegal deforestation curtailed. ISPO can – and should – be recognised by the UK as an accepted due diligence standard under the Environment Act.” Read more about Indonesia’s ISPO scheme here: https://www.indonesiapalmoilfacts.com/ispo/
---------
India-SEA renews pact with Indonesian Palm Oil Board
The Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) of India, Solidaridad, and the Indonesian Palm Oil Board have renewed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote sustainable palm oil production and trade.
The renewal of the agreement was done at the Indonesia-India Palm Oil Joint Working Group meeting at Nusa Dua in Bali of Indonesia on Thursday. The Hindu Businessline
---------
Indonesia-Government Warned against Banning Palm Oil Exports
Bali. The government’s decision to halt palm oil export to cool cooking oil prices earlier this year was not without consequences, and this is something that the government should take note of in future policymaking, according to the 2022 Indonesian Palm Oil Conference or IPOC.
Indonesia in late April suspended exports of its palm oil and its derivatives in the face of cooking oil price hikes.
When the ban was in effect, companies had to deal with overflowing stockpiles. Farmers raised concerns over the declining purchase of oil palm fruit and domestic price, according to Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) chairman Joko Supriyono.
The ban only lasted for three weeks. However, recovering from the short-lived ban was not a skip in the park.
“The recovery from the impact was not as easy as expected. After the lifting of the export restriction, exports began to increase but were not maximized due to several factors, ranging from the unavailability of transport vessels to high prices, so that purchasing power weakened,” Joko said at the 2022 IPOC in Bali on Thursday.
Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) commented on the temporary palm oil export restriction. The ban came at a time when the palm oil price was skyrocketing. With Indonesia out of the market, this only gave more room for other palm oil-producing countries. This is something that the government should take note of in future policymaking. Jakarta Globe
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November 02, 2022
Shell buys Asia-based waste oil recycler to boost biofuels output
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Shell Eastern Petroleum, a unit of oil giant Shell (SHEL.L), said on Tuesday it has acquired Asia-based waste oil recycling firm EcoOils to expand its biofuels production.
The company will completely take over EcoOils' subsidiaries in Malaysia and a 90% stake in its Indonesian subsidiaries through the deal, Shell Eastern said in a statement, but did not disclose the value of the investment.
"This acquisition provides secure access to a recognised, advanced feedstock, which can be used at Shell's biofuels facilities to meet that aim," said Sinead Lynch, senior vice-president for low carbon fuels at Shell.
EcoOils has a production capacity of 65,000 tonnes per year of spent bleaching earth oil, a type of recycled oil that can be used as feedstock for biofuel production.
Bleaching earth is a clay material used to absorb impurities during the palm oil refining process. Reuters
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Ukraine Supply to Take Spotlight at Bali Palm Oil Conference
(Bloomberg) -- The supply outlook for cooking oil will be a hot topic at a conference in Indonesia this week after Russia suspended its participation in a pact to ensure safe transit of ships carrying grain and foodstuffs from Ukraine.
Ukraine accounted for almost half of the world’s sunflower oil exports before the Russian invasion in February. The war choked off that supply, and helped drive prices of palm oil, the most consumed edible oil used in everything from margarine to ice cream and shampoo, to a record close in April. Indonesia is the top global supplier of palm oil and Malaysia is the No. 2 producer.
Other topics are the increasingly volatile weather, the viability of biofuels in a year when food costs hit a record, and government policy in Indonesia, which roiled the market this year by imposing a temporary ban on exports. Analysts Dorab Mistry, James Fry and Thomas Mielke also present their outlooks at the conference, which is on Nov. 3-4. Here’s a closer look at likely talking points: BNN Bloomberg
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EU-Private members bill seeks to ensure corporate responsibility for climate change and human rights
Today the ChristenUnie, PvdA, GroenLinks, SP, VOLT and D66 are submitting the Bill of Initiation Act Responsible and Sustainable International Business to the House of Representatives. This law obliges companies to do business with respect for people, the environment and the climate in their global chains. An urgent and very necessary bill, according to the MVO Platform of which Solidaridad is a member.
'This private member's bill can really make a positive impact,' says Manon Wolfkamp of MVO Platform, the network of 25 civil society organizations and trade unions committed to corporate social responsibility (read the full bill here ). 'Companies are legally obliged to tackle abuses such as child labour, modern slavery and climate damage. We call on politicians to act now.'
“Companies are legally obliged to tackle abuses such as child labour, modern slavery and climate damage. We call on politicians to act now.”
– Manon Wolfkamp of CSR Platform Solidaridad
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Malaysia-Palm oil’s non-GMO factor a bonus - To convince European markets
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah which produces some 23 per cent of Malaysia’s palm oil with its sustainable jurisdictional certification linked to the RSPO and MSPO standard has a bright future as global demand for edible oil grows, and high energy prices promotes palm oil blending for biodiesel.
Europe remains a bastion of anti-American-led companies championing GMO (genetically modified organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques) food products, although the continent is trying to phase out internal combustion vehicle engines.
As palm oil is free of genetic modification, this fact should be promoted to sell palm oil particularly to the European Union market. Daily ExpressMY
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India-Target of 11,400 acres set for cultivation of oil palm in Karimnagar district this year
A target has been set to cultivate oil palm in about 11,400 acres in Karimnagar district this year, said Collector R.V. Karnan.
He was speaking at a training programme organised by the Horticulture Department for agriculture extension officers and other field functionaries on oil palm cultivation at the oil palm nursery in Chigurumamidi mandal headquarters town on Tuesday.
Highlighting the potential of edible oil crop to provide sustainable income for farmers, the Collector said there was an enormous demand for crude palm oil across the world, mainly in Indonesia and Malaysia besides South American countries.
Planting materials would be supplied to all the selected farmers from January 2023 to promote oil palm cultivation in the district, he added. Zilla Parishad CEO Priyanka and others were present.
Earlier, the Horticulture Department officials explained about the State government’s efforts to give a fillip to oil palm cultivation by way of providing subsidy, drip irrigation facilities and technical knowhow. The Hindu
Shell buys Asia-based waste oil recycler to boost biofuels output
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Shell Eastern Petroleum, a unit of oil giant Shell (SHEL.L), said on Tuesday it has acquired Asia-based waste oil recycling firm EcoOils to expand its biofuels production.
The company will completely take over EcoOils' subsidiaries in Malaysia and a 90% stake in its Indonesian subsidiaries through the deal, Shell Eastern said in a statement, but did not disclose the value of the investment.
"This acquisition provides secure access to a recognised, advanced feedstock, which can be used at Shell's biofuels facilities to meet that aim," said Sinead Lynch, senior vice-president for low carbon fuels at Shell.
EcoOils has a production capacity of 65,000 tonnes per year of spent bleaching earth oil, a type of recycled oil that can be used as feedstock for biofuel production.
Bleaching earth is a clay material used to absorb impurities during the palm oil refining process. Reuters
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Ukraine Supply to Take Spotlight at Bali Palm Oil Conference
(Bloomberg) -- The supply outlook for cooking oil will be a hot topic at a conference in Indonesia this week after Russia suspended its participation in a pact to ensure safe transit of ships carrying grain and foodstuffs from Ukraine.
Ukraine accounted for almost half of the world’s sunflower oil exports before the Russian invasion in February. The war choked off that supply, and helped drive prices of palm oil, the most consumed edible oil used in everything from margarine to ice cream and shampoo, to a record close in April. Indonesia is the top global supplier of palm oil and Malaysia is the No. 2 producer.
Other topics are the increasingly volatile weather, the viability of biofuels in a year when food costs hit a record, and government policy in Indonesia, which roiled the market this year by imposing a temporary ban on exports. Analysts Dorab Mistry, James Fry and Thomas Mielke also present their outlooks at the conference, which is on Nov. 3-4. Here’s a closer look at likely talking points: BNN Bloomberg
---------
EU-Private members bill seeks to ensure corporate responsibility for climate change and human rights
Today the ChristenUnie, PvdA, GroenLinks, SP, VOLT and D66 are submitting the Bill of Initiation Act Responsible and Sustainable International Business to the House of Representatives. This law obliges companies to do business with respect for people, the environment and the climate in their global chains. An urgent and very necessary bill, according to the MVO Platform of which Solidaridad is a member.
'This private member's bill can really make a positive impact,' says Manon Wolfkamp of MVO Platform, the network of 25 civil society organizations and trade unions committed to corporate social responsibility (read the full bill here ). 'Companies are legally obliged to tackle abuses such as child labour, modern slavery and climate damage. We call on politicians to act now.'
“Companies are legally obliged to tackle abuses such as child labour, modern slavery and climate damage. We call on politicians to act now.”
– Manon Wolfkamp of CSR Platform Solidaridad
---------
Malaysia-Palm oil’s non-GMO factor a bonus - To convince European markets
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah which produces some 23 per cent of Malaysia’s palm oil with its sustainable jurisdictional certification linked to the RSPO and MSPO standard has a bright future as global demand for edible oil grows, and high energy prices promotes palm oil blending for biodiesel.
Europe remains a bastion of anti-American-led companies championing GMO (genetically modified organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques) food products, although the continent is trying to phase out internal combustion vehicle engines.
As palm oil is free of genetic modification, this fact should be promoted to sell palm oil particularly to the European Union market. Daily ExpressMY
----------
India-Target of 11,400 acres set for cultivation of oil palm in Karimnagar district this year
A target has been set to cultivate oil palm in about 11,400 acres in Karimnagar district this year, said Collector R.V. Karnan.
He was speaking at a training programme organised by the Horticulture Department for agriculture extension officers and other field functionaries on oil palm cultivation at the oil palm nursery in Chigurumamidi mandal headquarters town on Tuesday.
Highlighting the potential of edible oil crop to provide sustainable income for farmers, the Collector said there was an enormous demand for crude palm oil across the world, mainly in Indonesia and Malaysia besides South American countries.
Planting materials would be supplied to all the selected farmers from January 2023 to promote oil palm cultivation in the district, he added. Zilla Parishad CEO Priyanka and others were present.
Earlier, the Horticulture Department officials explained about the State government’s efforts to give a fillip to oil palm cultivation by way of providing subsidy, drip irrigation facilities and technical knowhow. The Hindu
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November 01, 2022
G-20 needs to advance global sustainability standard for vegetable oils
JAKARTA – The Group of Twenty (G20) Sustainable Vegetable Oil Conference in Bali this week, which will coincide with the Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and Price Outlook 2023 on Nov. 2-4 and the G20 Summit on Nov.15-16, is a good opportunity for Indonesia to enlighten the developed countries about the increasingly important role of palm oil in the global consumption of edible oils and on the sustainability standards of that commodity.
As the world’s largest palm oil producer and the host of the G20 summit, Indonesia should see to it that the discussions and debates at the conference, the first global meeting discussing all kinds of vegetable oils, would not turn into another forum for blaming palm oil plantations as the main culprit of deforestation.
There is the risk of another wave of bashing palm oil for all kinds of environmental ills in view of the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) 27, the climate summit of the countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Egypt on Nov. 6-18.
Delegates from developed countries, which have so far been at the forefront in constantly alleging the palm oil industry as main driver of deforestation, may prefer to raise the issue on the implementation of the agreement to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, which was signed in the COP26 in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, in November 2021. Asia News Network
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CoP 27: Ghana, nine others renew commitment to protect forests and livelihoods
Ghana and nine other African countries that account for about 25 per cent of the world’s tropical forest will sign the expanded declaration of the Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) at the CoP 27 in Egypt in November.
The signing of the declaration by Ministers from the 10 APOI countries is to show a renewed commitment to creating a prosperous palm oil industry that brings jobs and wealth to local communities through policy implementation actions.
The nine countries are Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Gabon, Liberia, Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone.
APOI provides a framework for governments to engage with local communities and the private sector by giving companies the channel to fulfil their commitments to reduce commodity-driven deforestation. Ghana Business News
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India sharply raises base import price of palm oil
MUMBAI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - India sharply raised the base import prices of crude and refined palm oil and crude soya oil, the government said in a statement on Monday, as prices jumped in the world market.
The government revises base import prices of edible oils, gold and silver every fortnight, and the prices are used to calculate the amount of tax an importer needs to pay.
India is the world's biggest importer of edible oils and silver and the second-biggest consumer of gold. Reuters
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Indonesia extends palm oil export levy waiver up to reference price of $800/T
Indonesia on Monday said it has extended its policy to waive a palm oil export levy until the crude palm oil reference price breaks $800 per tonnes and above, the economic ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The waiver was initially due to expire at the end of October. Economic Times
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Biogas And Biomethane Could Bolster The Green Circular Economy
Biogas is produced by breaking down organic waste – agricultural, food, municipal or animal, including manure and sewage – through a process known as anaerobic digestion, while biomethane removes greenhouse gases via carbon capture. Digestate, the other by-product of anaerobic digestion, can also be used as fertiliser.
In mid-October Titan, a Netherlands-based independent supplier of low- and zero-carbon fuels, announced that it will build and operate the world’s largest biomethane liquefied natural gas export plant at the Port of Amsterdam, which is slated to come on-line in 2025. Titan will source the biogas from BioValue, one of the largest biogas producers in the Netherlands, which is constructing a new biogas production plant adjacent to Titan’s export facility. Oil Price
G-20 needs to advance global sustainability standard for vegetable oils
JAKARTA – The Group of Twenty (G20) Sustainable Vegetable Oil Conference in Bali this week, which will coincide with the Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and Price Outlook 2023 on Nov. 2-4 and the G20 Summit on Nov.15-16, is a good opportunity for Indonesia to enlighten the developed countries about the increasingly important role of palm oil in the global consumption of edible oils and on the sustainability standards of that commodity.
As the world’s largest palm oil producer and the host of the G20 summit, Indonesia should see to it that the discussions and debates at the conference, the first global meeting discussing all kinds of vegetable oils, would not turn into another forum for blaming palm oil plantations as the main culprit of deforestation.
There is the risk of another wave of bashing palm oil for all kinds of environmental ills in view of the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) 27, the climate summit of the countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Egypt on Nov. 6-18.
Delegates from developed countries, which have so far been at the forefront in constantly alleging the palm oil industry as main driver of deforestation, may prefer to raise the issue on the implementation of the agreement to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, which was signed in the COP26 in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, in November 2021. Asia News Network
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CoP 27: Ghana, nine others renew commitment to protect forests and livelihoods
Ghana and nine other African countries that account for about 25 per cent of the world’s tropical forest will sign the expanded declaration of the Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) at the CoP 27 in Egypt in November.
The signing of the declaration by Ministers from the 10 APOI countries is to show a renewed commitment to creating a prosperous palm oil industry that brings jobs and wealth to local communities through policy implementation actions.
The nine countries are Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Gabon, Liberia, Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone.
APOI provides a framework for governments to engage with local communities and the private sector by giving companies the channel to fulfil their commitments to reduce commodity-driven deforestation. Ghana Business News
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India sharply raises base import price of palm oil
MUMBAI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - India sharply raised the base import prices of crude and refined palm oil and crude soya oil, the government said in a statement on Monday, as prices jumped in the world market.
The government revises base import prices of edible oils, gold and silver every fortnight, and the prices are used to calculate the amount of tax an importer needs to pay.
India is the world's biggest importer of edible oils and silver and the second-biggest consumer of gold. Reuters
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Indonesia extends palm oil export levy waiver up to reference price of $800/T
Indonesia on Monday said it has extended its policy to waive a palm oil export levy until the crude palm oil reference price breaks $800 per tonnes and above, the economic ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The waiver was initially due to expire at the end of October. Economic Times
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Biogas And Biomethane Could Bolster The Green Circular Economy
- Green technologies could help countries transform organic waste into energy.
- Europe and North America are established producers, but Asia has ample growth potential.
- Agro-industry is harnessing waste to supply national energy grids.
- Rural farmers are well positioned to adopt micro-scale digesters.
Biogas is produced by breaking down organic waste – agricultural, food, municipal or animal, including manure and sewage – through a process known as anaerobic digestion, while biomethane removes greenhouse gases via carbon capture. Digestate, the other by-product of anaerobic digestion, can also be used as fertiliser.
In mid-October Titan, a Netherlands-based independent supplier of low- and zero-carbon fuels, announced that it will build and operate the world’s largest biomethane liquefied natural gas export plant at the Port of Amsterdam, which is slated to come on-line in 2025. Titan will source the biogas from BioValue, one of the largest biogas producers in the Netherlands, which is constructing a new biogas production plant adjacent to Titan’s export facility. Oil Price
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Palm oil. November 2022. CSPO Watch