General Assembly 21-2D

Background:

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) envisions a global partnership to make palm oil sustainable. The mission of RSPO includes clearly communicating the benefits of sustainable palm oil, facilitating collaboration across the value chain, and setting global standards through certification (Source: RSPO Vision and Mission). As of March 2023, 425,883 hectares, or 27%, of Sabah’s total oil palm plantation area is RSPO certified, mainly from large plantations (Source: RSPO website). However, medium-sized growers and smallholders, who constitute a substantial part of the palm oil supply chain, remain under-represented due to a lack of financial incentives

In line with the call by RSPO on Jurisdictional Certification approach, Sabah has come forward to declare its commitment to achieve 100% Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Certified Sustainable Palm Oil as an integral part of transitioning the landscape to a sustainable palm oil production. This commitment from Sabah’s State Government, made in close collaboration with the RSPO and its global membership, will be achieved through a jurisdiction-wide landscape approach to transform the entire state’s palm oil supply chain, halting deforestation, restoring ecosystems and securing sustainable livelihoods. It will work simultaneously with smallholders (primarily local and Indigenous communities), the medium and large-scale growers, the processing plants and supply chains, and with the major buyers and financial institutions.

Since 2019, the Sustainable Palm Oil Team (SPOT) at WWF-Malaysia has engaged with medium-sized oil palm growers and smallholders through the Sabah Landscapes Programme, promoting group certification under the RSPO standard. Through this programme, WWF-Malaysia aspires to create a sustainable and inclusive palm oil industry that protects biodiversity and supports local communities. By harmonising economic growth with environmental stewardship, we aim to preserve Sabah’s forests and wildlife while encouraging responsible agricultural practices.
To achieve this vision, WWF-Malaysia actively collaborates with various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, and local communities, to drive meaningful change. However, despite nearly five years of engagement, progress has been slow. The lack of financial incentives has led to reluctance among medium-sized growers and smallholders to pursue certification, contributing to the stagnant RSPO certification rate of 27% in Sabah.

Other regions, where there are medium-sized growers and smallholders, may face similar challenges to those in Sabah.