Next level palm oil sustainability: RSPO launch

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has released an ‘add-on’ module to its already well-established certification for sustainably-produced palm oil: RSPO NEXT.

RSPO NEXT was developed to meet increased market commitments for no deforestation, no development on peat, no fires, and no human rights violations.

It is a voluntary add-on module engaging RSPO member companies to exceed the RSPO’s internationally recognised sustainability standard.

First sale: completed

RSPO NEXT credit sales are made public via the online and transparent marketplace PalmTrace, explains the organisation, and the first major sale has now been made.

Colombian-based agribusiness, DAABON Group, recently completed the first sale of  palm oil qualifying for “RSPO NEXT” credits.

The sale took place just one year after DAABON became the first oil palm grower in the world to achieve RSPO NEXT certification, and represents 2,000 tons of certified volume in RSPO NEXT credits.

In January 2017, DAABON’s four palm oil estates in Northern Colombia underwent a six day, five-man team audit, which included certification and compliance with RSPO NEXT requirements of the 122 smallholder farms who supply the mill.

A positive industry example

Datuk Darrel Webber, RSPO CEO said: “This is a great achievement for DAABON Group and we congratulate them for continuously leading the change towards a more sustainable palm oil industry.

“It also sets a positive example: transformation cannot happen in isolation, but together, through collaboration, we can collectively lead the efforts to transform the market to make sustainable palm oil the norm.”

Manuel Julian Dávila, DAABON CEO said: “We are honoured to contribute to the positive dialogue that the palm oil industry offers to its stakeholders worldwide, and particularly proud of this achievement.

“It is a strong message that confirms that corporations believe in Colombia’s  social and economic renewal, because they actively support our efforts to grow with communities in a setting of transparency and peace.”