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The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has reported the detection of nearly 10,000 potential fire hotspots during August across land managed by its members in Malaysia and Indonesia, though the organisation cautioned that satellite readings alone do not constitute confirmation of active fires.
A total of 9,841 potential hotspots were identified on land operated by 53 RSPO members, spanning both certified and non-certified areas that members had disclosed to the body.
RSPO noted that several satellite detections may be linked to the same fire incident, while others could ultimately be attributed to non-fire heat sources.
'RSPO relies on the member's on-the-ground verification and supporting information to establish whether a hotspot represents an actual fire and, where possible, its cause,' the organisation said in a statement.
It also stressed that a hotspot detected near or within a plantation boundary does not automatically indicate that the landowner ignited the fire or violated RSPO standards. Satellite-based hotspots can point to vegetation fires but may also originate from industrial facilities or other non-combustion sources.
RSPO reiterated its strict prohibition on the use of open burning for land preparation and warned that confirmed breaches would be met with serious consequences.
'Predetermined sanctions are not assigned solely based on reported fire causes,' the statement read. 'Where a breach of RSPO standards is formally established, penalties escalate strictly based on severity, ranging from corrective action and formal warnings to certification suspension or membership termination.'
The organisation outlined the possible causes identified through its monitoring process and engagement with members, including shifting cultivation, burning by local communities, hunting activities, fire spreading from neighbouring land, sabotage, arson, the use of fire as a wildlife deterrent, encroachment or temporary occupation of land, and land preparation or new planting activities.
RSPO confirmed that no formal investigations had been opened in connection with the August monitoring period.
Source: The Vibes