WWF Welcomes Palm Oil Sustainability Body Commitment

15 Nov 2013 --- WWF has welcomed a commitment to observe fairness, transparency and impartiality in the handling of complaints passed by members of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

WWF also welcomed a strong vote by delegates to support transparency on the boundaries of palm oil growing concessions, a move provoked by uncertainties and accusations against the sector in the aftermath of the most severe fire haze for more than a decade in Singapore, Malaysia and parts of Indonesia.

“With these votes, the RSPO is demonstrating that it remains on a path to ensuring more and more sustainability in the increasingly significant palm oil sector,” said WWF global palm oil lead Adam Harrison. “Progress is not always as rapid as some of us might like, but what is important is that it continues.”

WWF also joined with leading palm oil companies New Britain Palm Oil, Daabon and Agropalma and fellow NGOs Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network and Forest Peoples Programme in launching the Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG) charter of commitments.

The charter describes the performance level that these RSPO certified companies have set themselves within the RSPO standard that the group believes best describes responsible palm oil production.

“Together, the Palm Oil Innovation Group will work in the coming months to support and improve the RSPO as an institution and a standard,” Harrison said.

WWF expects the reinforced commitment to fairness made at the General Assembly will improve the handling of RSPO’s complaint handling procedure, the subject of criticism over recent years.