RSPO Launches Voluntary Add-On Criteria 'RSPO NEXT'

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has launched “RSPO NEXT” as a voluntary add-on to its existing Principles & Criteria (P&C) for sustainably grown oil palm. In a statement, RSPO said RSPO NEXT policies across plantations for eligible growers to abide by included a broader no-deforestation policy, no planting on peatland, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the existing ban on using fire to clear land as stipulated by the P&C, oil palm growers must have plans and procedures to prevent, monitor and combat fire on plantations and around their estates. Oil palm growers are also required to respect the rights of smallholders and workers, it said, adding that the growers must also engage with their workers to work out mutually agreed terms. It also requires the growers to develop outreach programmes to support smallholders with sustainable and business skills. RSPO members, which participated in developing the RSPO NEXT framework, included oil palm grower United Plantations, palm oil trader IOI Loders Croklaan and World Wildlife Fund. RSPO Chief Executive Officer Darrel Webber said the creation of RSPO NEXT was in response to members' request for continuous improvements within the RSPO framework. "RSPO NEXT is an important milestone and can become a new industry benchmark for others who are working hard towards our common goal of 100 per cent certified sustainable palm oil," he added. -- BERNAMA