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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has released its latest Impact Report, highlighting substantial progress in the sustainable palm oil sector and indicating a potential for certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) to meet nearly 40% of global demand. The 'RSPO Impact Report 2026' reveals that in 2025, 16.2 million metric tonnes of CSPO were sold, representing 20% of the global palm oil supply.
The report underscores the growing capacity within the RSPO membership, with grower members now possessing the capability to supply 31.4 million metric tonnes of CSPO. Joseph D'Cruz, CEO of RSPO, commented on this significant potential, stating, 'With our grower members holding the capacity to supply nearly 40% of global demand, we have long moved past the question of whether sustainable palm oil is possible and are actively scaling across global markets. The report shows that sustainable palm oil has measurable and valuable impacts.'
RSPO's global footprint continues to expand, with membership reaching 6,280 individuals and organizations across 103 countries and territories. Noteworthy membership growth has been observed in key markets such as China, Indonesia, and Japan, reflecting increased market awareness and demand in major palm oil-consuming regions.
Beyond market expansion, the report details considerable advancements in environmental protection. RSPO members are actively conserving and protecting 551,637 hectares of critical land, a figure that now includes High Carbon Stock (HCS) areas and peatlands, in addition to previously reported High Conservation Value (HCV) areas. On-the-ground initiatives, like Bumitama Agri Ltd.'s Biodiversity and Community Project in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, have led to the formal protection of over 8,300 hectares of conservation area.
The organization also quantified its climate commitments, demonstrating significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2015, a cumulative total of 2.98 million tCO2e per year has been avoided through efforts such as peatland rehabilitation and methane emission reduction via Palm Oil Mill Effluent capture. This reduction is equivalent to removing 694,512 cars from the road annually.
Furthermore, RSPO certification plays a crucial role in strengthening social standards throughout the supply chain. A total of 661,219 workers are directly employed within RSPO Certified operations, benefiting from systems designed to safeguard their rights and freedom.
Independent smallholder farmers also saw tangible benefits, generating US$7.9 million through credit sales in 2025. The long-term success of these efforts hinges on broadening global demand for these credits to ensure fair compensation for smallholders' sustainability initiatives. Ongoing support for smallholders is provided through the Smallholder Training Academy and the RSPO Smallholder Support Fund, which has assisted 44,796 smallholders since 2013.
Complementing the 'RSPO Impact Report 2026', an enhanced interactive website has been launched. While the print report offers a high-level overview, the website provides expanded datasets, multi-year trends, and additional indicators for stakeholders seeking deeper insights into RSPO's yearly progress.
The RSPO, established in 2004 as a multi-stakeholder non-profit organization, unites diverse entities across the palm oil value chain to facilitate global change towards sustainable palm oil production and consumption. It achieves this by communicating environmental and social benefits, catalyzing collaboration, and setting certification standards. The organization, registered in Zurich, Switzerland, maintains main offices in Malaysia and Indonesia, with additional offices globally.
Source: The Manila Times