Full response from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to CSPO-Watch query on the question of exclusive sustainability. Received April 30.2018
RSPO: One of the goals of promoting sustainable palm oil is indeed to reduce deforestation, when compared to the production/use of conventional palm oil. The RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) mandates that RSPO members cannot clear primary forests, or any areas required to maintain or enhance High Conservation Values (HCV) after November 2005. To this end, before developing a new plantation, our members must conduct a series of assessments including a HCV assessment and stakeholder consultation to identify the presence of these values. Should the area to be developed contain any High Conservation Values, a management plan must be developed which includes ongoing monitoring to ensure that the HCVs are maintained or enhanced.
CSPO Watch: Noting that the RSPO will not endorse deforestation and that the Remedial Compensation cut-off is 2014, can you respond to these questions:
RSPO response:
RSPO remains committed to inclusivity and accountability. We recognise that for solutions to be effective, it is important to understand and consider local views and context. This is why we have been working with our partners in oil palm grower/producer regions, to keep collaborations as inclusive as possible, with multi-stakeholder representation that considers all levels of the supply chain and affected communities. This is particularly crucial with our emerging producer markets like Africa and Latin America, which still contain vast amounts of forested land. Furthermore, we are pleased to report that the RSPO Principles & Criteria have been adapted for use by a number of producing countries through National Interpretations (NI). This includes Nigeria, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Ecuador, with Mexico and Nicaragua currently undergoing the NI process. RSPO has also stepped up its collaboration with local partners in producing regions to improve smallholder inclusion, so they can join the sustainable palm oil supply chain and improve their livelihoods.
Regarding the Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP), it aims to provide a clear and transparent procedure to remediate and compensate for land clearance without prior HCV assessment since November 2005. There are three main options to deal with land clearance without prior HCV assessment since November 2005) - either (a) expel the member, or (b) suspend their RSPO membership pending some form of ad hoc remedial or compensatory action, or (c) provide an agreed clear, formal and transparent procedure to remediate and compensate. Given that RSPO wishes to improve environmental and social standards in the palm oil industry globally, and is committed to continuous improvement, and does not want to divide the palm oil world into “us and them”, option (a) is the least beneficial. Option (b) suffers from being ad hoc, and not addressing the issue for the longer term. Option (c) is considered to be the best option. A liability assessment is part of the RaCP, and the contingency matrix distinguishes provides allowance for land clearance without prior HCV assessment after May 2014 only for non-RSPO members (e.g. acquisition)
2) Shouldn't the RSPO live up to its mission to make certified palm oil the norm by making exemptions for heavily forested regions for responsible deforestation if its supported by a robust government plan for landscape use?
RSPO response:
RSPO has recognised that this is a challenge and has commissioned studies for input to the development of the ‘No Deforestation’ element of RSPO P&C Criterion 7.3. In the meantime, however, the strategy of a jurisdictional approach to certification is being developed. This approach represents a positive move forward as it allows local stakeholders to collaborate with their governments; providing an ideal path towards sustainability and implementing best management practices, while curbing the negative impacts of unsustainable practices. This approach is also a significant step towards collaboratively working to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and conserving the important forest areas for biodiversity and environment. This collaborative effort also enables the approach to solve sustainability problems at the grassroots level; optimising the use of resources and sharing expertise within the jurisdiction.
RSPO: One of the goals of promoting sustainable palm oil is indeed to reduce deforestation, when compared to the production/use of conventional palm oil. The RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) mandates that RSPO members cannot clear primary forests, or any areas required to maintain or enhance High Conservation Values (HCV) after November 2005. To this end, before developing a new plantation, our members must conduct a series of assessments including a HCV assessment and stakeholder consultation to identify the presence of these values. Should the area to be developed contain any High Conservation Values, a management plan must be developed which includes ongoing monitoring to ensure that the HCVs are maintained or enhanced.
CSPO Watch: Noting that the RSPO will not endorse deforestation and that the Remedial Compensation cut-off is 2014, can you respond to these questions:
- The RSPO seeks to make certified palm oil "the norm" but stands to create "exclusive certification" for elite or developed countries/ producers. "The norm" according to the UN's SDGs would be an inclusive program where "no one is left behind." Is the RSPO discriminating against late developers for the sake of protecting its credibility on deforestation?
RSPO response:
RSPO remains committed to inclusivity and accountability. We recognise that for solutions to be effective, it is important to understand and consider local views and context. This is why we have been working with our partners in oil palm grower/producer regions, to keep collaborations as inclusive as possible, with multi-stakeholder representation that considers all levels of the supply chain and affected communities. This is particularly crucial with our emerging producer markets like Africa and Latin America, which still contain vast amounts of forested land. Furthermore, we are pleased to report that the RSPO Principles & Criteria have been adapted for use by a number of producing countries through National Interpretations (NI). This includes Nigeria, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Ecuador, with Mexico and Nicaragua currently undergoing the NI process. RSPO has also stepped up its collaboration with local partners in producing regions to improve smallholder inclusion, so they can join the sustainable palm oil supply chain and improve their livelihoods.
Regarding the Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP), it aims to provide a clear and transparent procedure to remediate and compensate for land clearance without prior HCV assessment since November 2005. There are three main options to deal with land clearance without prior HCV assessment since November 2005) - either (a) expel the member, or (b) suspend their RSPO membership pending some form of ad hoc remedial or compensatory action, or (c) provide an agreed clear, formal and transparent procedure to remediate and compensate. Given that RSPO wishes to improve environmental and social standards in the palm oil industry globally, and is committed to continuous improvement, and does not want to divide the palm oil world into “us and them”, option (a) is the least beneficial. Option (b) suffers from being ad hoc, and not addressing the issue for the longer term. Option (c) is considered to be the best option. A liability assessment is part of the RaCP, and the contingency matrix distinguishes provides allowance for land clearance without prior HCV assessment after May 2014 only for non-RSPO members (e.g. acquisition)
2) Shouldn't the RSPO live up to its mission to make certified palm oil the norm by making exemptions for heavily forested regions for responsible deforestation if its supported by a robust government plan for landscape use?
RSPO response:
RSPO has recognised that this is a challenge and has commissioned studies for input to the development of the ‘No Deforestation’ element of RSPO P&C Criterion 7.3. In the meantime, however, the strategy of a jurisdictional approach to certification is being developed. This approach represents a positive move forward as it allows local stakeholders to collaborate with their governments; providing an ideal path towards sustainability and implementing best management practices, while curbing the negative impacts of unsustainable practices. This approach is also a significant step towards collaboratively working to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and conserving the important forest areas for biodiversity and environment. This collaborative effort also enables the approach to solve sustainability problems at the grassroots level; optimising the use of resources and sharing expertise within the jurisdiction.