We hear a lot about the impacts of palm oil on forests and endangered species such as the orangutan. But did you know that solutions exist to produce palm oil that does not harm people or nature.
You have probably have heard of RSPO. It stands for the ‘Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil’, and it describes itself as “a global, multi-stakeholder initiative on sustainable palm oil” with a vision to “transform the markets by making sustainable palm oil the norm”. Its members include a wide variety of different businesses from all over the world that produce or use palm oil, such as:
• Palm Oil Plantations
• Processors and traders
• Consumer goods manufacturers
• Retailers of palm oil products
• Financial institutions
• Environmental NGOs
• Social NGOs
RSPO has definitelly brought awareness in the beauty and food markets, however there is still a need for stengthening the principles it adheres to.
This challenge has been embraced by The Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG). POIG mission is to achieve the adoption of responsible palm oil production practices by key players in the supply chain through developing and sharing a credible and verifiable benchmark, and creating and promoting innovations. It is a responsible building on RSPO standards
POIG focuses on the three thematic areas of environmental responsibility, partnerships with communities including workers’ rights, and corporate and product integrity. Also, POIG focuses on creating innovations in the palm oil industry and the promotion of these innovations.
For more information, please see POIG's website.
