Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Deforestation
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• High Conservation Value (HCV) Areas
• Labor Conditions
• Human Rights
• Smallholder Support

Environmental Achievements

• Over 2.83 million hectares certified across 14 producer countries
• Total certified HCV area covers 157,115 ha, an increase of 9% from the last reporting period.
• At least 40 RSPO growers have phased out paraquat, and at least 33 also have a policy banning, or have already phased out, WHO category 1a and 1b pesticides.

Social Achievements

• 1,692 independent smallholders newly certified in the reporting period (1 July 2015 - 30 June 2016), making a total of 2,496.
• Resolution on strengthening audits approved to enhance the quality, oversight and credibility of RSPO assessments.
• Establishment of the RSPO Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) to support the adoption of human rights criteria into the P&C (6.13).

Governance Achievements

• Significant improvement in monitoring of certification body and audit quality.
• Vast improvements of grievance mechanisms through the revamp of complaints system, enhancing the speed and quality of grievance handling.
• Development of an Independent Appeals Mechanism (IAM) to replace the Board of Governors as the final arbitrator in any appeal against decisions taken by the Complaints Panel.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Legal issues surrounding concession maps.
• Addressing labour and children’s rights violations (modern-day slavery and child labour).
• Deforestation and the conversion of high carbon stock land areas (especially peatlands).
• Lack of consistency in the application of the RSPO P&C guidelines and processes.
• Inadequate monitoring mechanisms largely dependent on audits and complaints.
• Lack of awareness about sustainable palm oil and the benefits that could be gained by transforming the industry.
• Challenges faced by smallholders in accessing certification and markets.

Mitigation Strategies

• Ongoing engagement with relevant government bodies and authorities to resolve concession map issues.
• Strengthening social audits to cover all risks associated with reliance on casual labour.
• Update of the New Planting Procedures (NPP) and launch of RSPO NEXT.
• Development of a Comprehensive Smallholder Strategy.
• Improving social auditing mechanisms and ground truthing.
• Improving access to the complaints system.
• Educating consumers about sustainable palm oil.
• Driving collaboration between governments, the private sector and other key players.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• RSPO Principles & Criteria, supply chain certification, Book & Claim system, Mass Balance, Segregated, Identity Preserved

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Haze, flooding

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes, market shifts

Opportunities

• Low carbon development

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: ISEAL Alliance

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 2: Zero hunger
• Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
• Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
• Goal 13: Climate action
• Goal 15: Life on land
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

RSPO activities contribute to these goals through sustainable palm oil production, improved livelihoods, environmental protection, and stakeholder collaboration.