compulsory through Indicators 7.7.6 and 7.7.7, the requirements for which were
summarized in the newly introduced “RSPO Peat Audit Guidance”.
18.3 Peatland Definition
The RSPO P&C (2018) has adopted the following definition of peat effective on
15 November 2018 as follows:
Tropical peat soils are soils with cumulative organic layer(s) comprising more
than half of the upper 80 cm or 100 cm of the soil surface containing 35% or more of
organic matter (35% or more Loss on Ignition) or 18% or more organic carbon.
This definition is derived from globally accepted definitions (USDA and FAO)
for histosols.
It should be noted that for management of existing plantations in Malaysia and
Indonesia, a narrower definition has been used, based on national regulations:
namely soil with an organic layer of more than 50 cm in the top 100 cm, containing
more than 65% organic matter. Soils with between 35–65% organic matter are
defined as “Muck Soils” in these two countries.
18.4 RSPO Peatland Inventory
The RSPO Peatland Inventory was introduced in conjunction with the P&C 2018,
with the intent to ensure areas of peatlands within RSPO members’ plantations and
new plantings are accurately identified and recorded. This will then assist in planning
and monitoring of conservation of peatlands identified in new developments and the
implementation of the BMPs for both planted and unplanted peat areas as prescribed
in the RSPO BMP Peat Manuals. Compilation of the inventories submitted to RSPO
would also allow for better understanding of the extent and status of peatlands, as
well as conservation and rehabilitation trends within the land holdings of RSPO
members.
Reporting to the RSPO is done through a standardized template which includes an
inventory of the planted and unplanted areas of peatland under respective members’
management. Planted areas of peatland are categorized by the planting cycle of the
oil palm within a plantation, while unplanted areas are categorized into conservation
areas, rehabilitated areas and others (containing infrastructure, buildings, roads,
etc.). Reporting of the peatland inventory is to be done at least two times between
2019 and 2023; the first in November 2019 or when joining RSPO as a member,
while the second reporting is submitted to RSPO by November 2022 (to contribute
to the review of the RSPO P&C 2018). Additional reporting is to be submitted in the
case of any changes such as rehabilitation, acquisitions or divestments affecting the
hectarage of peatlands planted with oil palm or in conservation areas.
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summarized in the newly introduced “RSPO Peat Audit Guidance”.
18.3 Peatland Definition
The RSPO P&C (2018) has adopted the following definition of peat effective on
15 November 2018 as follows:
Tropical peat soils are soils with cumulative organic layer(s) comprising more
than half of the upper 80 cm or 100 cm of the soil surface containing 35% or more of
organic matter (35% or more Loss on Ignition) or 18% or more organic carbon.
This definition is derived from globally accepted definitions (USDA and FAO)
for histosols.
It should be noted that for management of existing plantations in Malaysia and
Indonesia, a narrower definition has been used, based on national regulations:
namely soil with an organic layer of more than 50 cm in the top 100 cm, containing
more than 65% organic matter. Soils with between 35–65% organic matter are
defined as “Muck Soils” in these two countries.
18.4 RSPO Peatland Inventory
The RSPO Peatland Inventory was introduced in conjunction with the P&C 2018,
with the intent to ensure areas of peatlands within RSPO members’ plantations and
new plantings are accurately identified and recorded. This will then assist in planning
and monitoring of conservation of peatlands identified in new developments and the
implementation of the BMPs for both planted and unplanted peat areas as prescribed
in the RSPO BMP Peat Manuals. Compilation of the inventories submitted to RSPO
would also allow for better understanding of the extent and status of peatlands, as
well as conservation and rehabilitation trends within the land holdings of RSPO
members.
Reporting to the RSPO is done through a standardized template which includes an
inventory of the planted and unplanted areas of peatland under respective members’
management. Planted areas of peatland are categorized by the planting cycle of the
oil palm within a plantation, while unplanted areas are categorized into conservation
areas, rehabilitated areas and others (containing infrastructure, buildings, roads,
etc.). Reporting of the peatland inventory is to be done at least two times between
2019 and 2023; the first in November 2019 or when joining RSPO as a member,
while the second reporting is submitted to RSPO by November 2022 (to contribute
to the review of the RSPO P&C 2018). Additional reporting is to be submitted in the
case of any changes such as rehabilitation, acquisitions or divestments affecting the
hectarage of peatlands planted with oil palm or in conservation areas.
514
F. Parish et al.