RSPO and MSPO Working on Exciting Dual Certification for Sustainable Palm Oil

RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil) are working towards formalising dual certification for sustainable palm oil by November. RSPO’s Malaysia and Singapore market transformation deputy director, Islah Ishak, mentioned that RSPO CEO Joseph D’Cruz met with MSPO CEO Mohd Shahari Idris to discuss a memorandum of understanding and the mechanics for dual certification. The goal is to finalise it within two months.

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RSPO and MSPO Unite

Currently, only 20% of local palm oil market players are RSPO certified, with a focus on certifying the remaining 80%. Collaboration, particularly with governments, is essential for this effort. Islah highlighted the need to engage with China and India, where certification is not required, to drive support for sustainable palm oil.

RSPO certification is voluntary, while MSPO certification is mandatory for business licenses from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). Funding remains a challenge in supporting certification, especially for smallholders. RSPO also focuses on ensuring traceability to meet EU standards and prevent deforestation.

Islah also pointed to the potential of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. RSPO is working on ensuring even byproducts like SAF meet sustainability standards, emphasizing that sustainability must include no deforestation. Sarawak is expected to begin commercial production of SAF from microalgae, with plans to produce 100,000 barrels per day by 2030. AirAsia and Petroliam Nasional Bhd are also exploring SAF technology.