World: New palm oil standards raise deforestation concerns

In November, updated rules governing the production of sustainable-certified palm oil were adopted following a vote at the annual conference of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), in Bangkok. The RSPO was set up in 2004 by a group of NGOs, including WWF, alongside companies in the palm oil supply chain. The RSPO’s certification system includes rules to prevent deforestation, restrict pesticide use and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples, local communities and workers. It currently certifies around 20% of the global palm oil market. Many financial institutions and companies use this certification to support internal policies that are aimed at reducing or eliminating deforestation from their supply chains. The RSPO’s Principles and Criteria document is updated every five years, with a two-year consultation period followed by a vote by all members. Under the latest iteration, companies will now be required to identify existing and potential human rights impacts in ...