THE Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established in 2004, in response to the attacks on the industry on environmental and social grounds. Members include palm oil growers, traders, financiers and end-users, as well as concerned non-government organisations (NGOs). Its aim is to “transform markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm”, and to “advance the production, procurement, finance and use of sustainable palm oil products.”

These objectives are admirable, and essential to the improvement of palm oil’s reputation in some markets.