What is the current status of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil? The past year has brought a number of new initiatives and projects for the RSPO. At the end of 2015, the RSPO was actively involved in supporting Jurisdictional Certification projects in the regions of Sabah (Malaysia), South Sumatera and Central Kalimantan (Indonesia), looking at ways to bring certification at scale on a regional level. Earlier this year, RSPO also launched RSPO NEXT, a set of voluntary add-on criteria to the existing RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) for sustainably grown palm oil. RSPO NEXT defines advanced criteria for palm oil production in order to further the fight against deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions from palm oil production as well as social commitments. The RSPO has also seen great progress on the traceability front, with a revised system that now offers traceability back to mills for all physical supply chain models via RSPO eTrace. Supply chain actors who report their trades in eTrace will now be able to manage the list of mills which contributed to their stock, with the option to declare conventional sources in its efforts to provide full transparency. What are the major challenges? Working with a vision of 100 percent market transformation presents many challenges, as well as opportunities. Transforming the market means embracing the whole industry to take everyone on board in our sustainability journey. This said, not all players have started from the same spot nor are moving at the same speed, and the main challenge is making sure that while remaining relevant for top performers, the standard remains inclusive. We think that this year, through the launch of RSPO NEXT and the work done on Jurisdictional Certification, we have found some new tools to help us overcome How do you see the role of RSPO NEXT? The RSPO NEXT is an initiative to engage with RSPO member companies (producers, suppliers and users of palm products) that have met the current requirements of the RSPO Principles & Criteria and, in addition, through their policies and actions, exceeded them. RSPO NEXT will provide the credibility that only on-the-ground third-party verification of actions can bring, on issues such as deforestation, peatland development and indigenous peoples’ rights. RSPO NEXT will also be a tool for companies to better engage with smallholders. Via the mandatory educational programs that RSPO NEXT members will have to provide to their smallholders, the new criteria will ensure raised awareness on sustainability issues, financial management, Darrel Webber these challenges. yields and productivity. RSPO Secretary General ” Great progress for the RSPO 19
Hållbarhetsrapport 2015/2016
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