Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a non-profit organization established in 2004 with the objective of promoting the growth and use of sustainable palm oil products through credible global standards and engagement of stakeholders.

History

The RSPO was formally established in Zurich, Switzerland in April 2004 by a group of organizations from different sectors of the palm oil industry. The founding members include the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Unilever, Migros, and the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA).

Objectives

The main objective of the RSPO is to transform markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm. To achieve this, the organization has developed a set of environmental and social criteria that companies must comply with in order to produce Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO).

Principles and Criteria

The RSPO has established a set of Principles and Criteria (P&C) for sustainable palm oil production. These principles and criteria are designed to prevent the worst environmental and social impacts of palm oil production, such as deforestation and violation of human rights.

Membership

Membership in the RSPO is open to organizations involved in all stages of the palm oil supply chain, from growers to processors, traders, manufacturers, retailers, banks, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Criticisms

Despite its efforts, the RSPO has faced criticism from various quarters. Some critics argue that the RSPO's standards are not stringent enough, while others claim that the organization lacks transparency and fails to enforce its own standards.

See also

• Sustainable agriculture
• Palm oil
• Deforestation
• Human rights