Research Library

Harnessing relational values for global value chain sustainability: Reframing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil's offset mechanism to support smallholders

The main aim of this paper is to study how relational values (values arising from relationships between people and others and/or between human and non-human phenomena) framing might affect stakeholders’ perceptions of credit mechanisms in a deforestation-linked value chain.

Achieving palm oil sustainability under contract: Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and family farmers in the Brazilian Amazon

This paper examines how local institutions and family farming labor relations shift and reconfigure in response to The Roundtable on Sustainable Oil Palm (RSPO) certification in Brazil where demanding state regulations exist in a context of uneven enforcement. The article focuses specifically on three requirements related to the interaction between RSPO and Brazilian regulations following Principle 2 of the RSPO, ‘Operate legally and respect rights:’ (1) comply with conservation areas; (2) palm oil producers must have land titles and uncontested ownership rights; and (3) comply with national rural labor laws.

Global and local sustainable certification systems: Factors influencing RSPO and Thai-GAP adoption by oil palm smallholder farmers in Thailand

Published in the Environment, Development, and Sustainability in 2022, this paper investigates the factors that influence the adoption of RSPO and Thai-GAP certification by oil palm smallholder farmers in Thailand.

Governing sustainability in the Thai palm oil supply chain: the role of private actors

This study evaluates the role of private actors in the governance of the palm oil-supply chain in Thailand by comparing supply-chain actors that are certified with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards and non-certified supply-chain actors.

A review of the financial costs and benefits of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certification: Implications for future research

Published in Sustainable Production and Consumption in 2021, this study reviews the existing literature to identify the financial outcomes associated with RSPO certification.

Independent oil palm shareholder management practices and yield. Can RSPO certification make a difference?

The study aims to evaluate if and how certified smallholders perform differently from their non-certified counterparts in terms of management practices and yields, and to what extent this is related to RSPO certification.

Pre-certification conditions of independent oil palm smallholders - Assessing prospects for RSPO certification

This study explores the differences in smallholders’ pre-certification conditions and prospects for certification to develop strategies to target smallholders that are currently not reached by certification initiatives.

Biodiversity impact of RSPO certification – an assessment of good practices

The study, commissioned by the RSPO, is aimed at evaluating whether the RSPO certification processes can or have contributed to the protection of species and landscapes, and identifies opportunities for improvement.

Consumer preference for certified sustainable palm oil with environmental sustainability attributes: A choice experiment approach

This study explores Malaysian consumer knowledge of certified sustainable palm oil, and to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for cooking oil certified under RSPO.

Non-state certification of smallholders for sustainable palm oil in Sumatra, Indonesia

This study aims to understand the perceptions of RSPO certified smallholders about (1) the challenges and benefits of RSPO certification, (2) their willingness to maintain their certification, and (3) factors affecting their willingness.