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Ahead of RT2026, RSPO Engages in Civil Society Dialogue to Champion Transparency, Ecosystem Protection, and Rigorous Certification Enforcement
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Amid recurring forest and land fires (karhutla) and regional haze concerns across Southeast Asia, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) reiterated its firm, non-negotiable zero-tolerance policy against the use of fire. Speaking today at the Road to RT RSPO side event organised by Sawit Watch, Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL), and Satya Bumi, RSPO reinforced its commitment to proactive fire prevention, rigorous standards, and evidence-based accountability.
RSPO Assurance Director Aryo Gustomo (second from left), highlighting the role of robust RSPO Standards in addressing fire risks.
Addressing civil society organisations, academics, and media alongside co-panelists from Sawit Watch, Greenpeace Indonesia, YEL, Satya Bumi, and IPB University, Aryo Gustomo, RSPO Director of Assurance, highlighted the vital role of robust RSPO Standards requirements and certification systems and processes in addressing fire risks and upholding supply chain integrity. “Forest and land fires pose a severe threat to ecosystems, biodiversity, and local communities, and RSPO treats every risk with the utmost gravity,” said Aryo Gustomo, RSPO Director of Assurance.
“Our role is to ensure that certified sustainable palm oil production operates under clear rules, strict zero-burning requirements, and robust assurance systems. When concerns or allegations arise, RSPO responds through structured, transparent, and credible mechanisms that evaluate facts rigorously, respect due process, and deliver decisive accountability when violations against RSPO Standards are established.”
He reiterated that RSPO stood in firm solidarity with its civil society members, partners and peers in demanding accountability and action in relation to the recent fires involving members and shared the same goals of wanting permanent solutions to end the recurring cycle of fires and haze in Indonesia.
During the discussion, titled “Karhutla, Perlindungan Ekosistem, dan Keberlanjutan Sawit”, Gustomo called on audiences to acknowledge that data indicates that palm oil is no longer a primary driver of forest fires and transboundary haze. Nusantara Atlas verifies that in reality almost 90% of the 1.9 million hectares of land burned in Indonesia between January and September 2026 was outside oil palm concessions.
Adding that the evidence reinforces the value of having robust systems and standards in place, Gustomo shared why certification should be viewed as a vital long-term solution. He outlined critical features of the RSPO System designed to drive greater transparency and accountability amongst members:
- Strict 2024 Principles and Criteria (P&C) Standards: Prohibits fire use and enforces peatland and High Conservation Value (HCV) protections.
- Real-Time Hotspot Monitoring: Uses satellite surveillance via FireWatch and Hotspot Hub for alerts, ground verification, and incident disclosure.
- Independent Grievance System: Enables stakeholders to submit formal complaints to an independent Complaints Panel, tracked on a public database.
- Enforceable Sanctions: Penalties for zero-burning violations range from corrective actions to membership suspension or termination.
Although certification offers a strong pathway forward, RSPO underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder solidarity across landscapes, governments, public and private sectors, and communities. “We value our engagement with civil society partners whose on-the-ground presence and research help strengthen the entire sector. RSPO remains dedicated to continuous improvement, transparent assurance, and verified compliance across our membership,” concluded Gustomo.
The global palm oil sector convenes for the RSPO Annual Roundtable Conference (RT2026) in Jakarta on 3–4 November 2026.
About RSPO
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a global partnership to make palm oil sustainable. Formed in 2004, the RSPO is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organisation that unites members from across the palm oil value chain, including oil palm producers, palm oil processors and traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and social or developmental NGOs.
As a partnership for progress and positive impact, the RSPO facilitates global change to make the production and consumption of palm oil sustainable. To inspire change, we communicate the environmental and social benefits. To make progress, we catalyse collaboration. To provide assurance, we set the standards of certification.
The RSPO is registered as an international association in Zurich, Switzerland, with main offices in Malaysia and Indonesia, and offices in China, Colombia, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.
