RSPO Annual Conference addresses Indonesian forest fires and smallholder inclusion

At the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2026) annual conference, stakeholders gathered to discuss sustainable palm oil practices amid shifting geopolitical and market dynamics. A primary focus was the impact of forest fires in Indonesia during a severe El Niño period.

Satellite analysis from Nusantara Atlas indicates that over 1.9 million hectares burned across Indonesia between January and September 2026. However, data presented by Dr. David Gaveau of TheTreeMap suggests that RSPO-certified concessions accounted for only 14,500 hectares of burned land, representing approximately 0.8% of the national total. RSPO CEO Joseph D'Cruz noted that there is currently no evidence suggesting RSPO-certified independent smallholders have intentionally used fire.

The conference also highlighted efforts to integrate independent smallholders into the global market. Forty-five smallholder groups from countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Colombia, Peru, and Thailand were recognized for achieving their first RSPO certifications. Additionally, business matching events were held to connect these smallholders with international corporations through the sale of Independent Smallholder Credits.