RSPO annual meeting addresses fire mitigation and palm oil export oversight in Indonesia

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2026) conference in Jakarta addressed the environmental and regulatory landscape of the Indonesian palm oil industry. Amid a significant El Niño-driven fire season that saw over 1.9 million hectares burned across Indonesia in 2026, RSPO presented data indicating that certified concessions accounted for less than 1% of the total affected land.

RSPO CEO Joseph D'Cruz pushed back against industry criticism, stating that the organization monitors its members through rigorous satellite analysis. He maintained that there is no evidence of systematic, deliberate burning within RSPO-certified units and urged members to defend the industry with empirical data.

The conference also provided a platform for officials from PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI) to outline the new 'Single Export Gate' system. DSI, a state-backed entity, aims to streamline the export of strategic commodities while integrating sustainability compliance. The organization emphasized that its role is to facilitate trade while maintaining strict traceability standards.

Additionally, the event highlighted the integration of independent smallholders into the global supply chain, with 45 new groups receiving certification. Efforts to connect these producers with international buyers via RSPO credit programs remain a central pillar of the organization's growth strategy.