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Sections 10.4 and 10.5 capture and analyze the perceptions of various stakeholders associated with the palm oil industry about the impacts of the sector on ecosystem services, biodiversity, and human well-being. The studied impacts reflect the
main impacts outlined in Sect. 10.2. The two main data collection mechanisms are:
1. Semi-structured interviews with RSPO-certified firms in Malaysia and Indonesia
2. Structured questionnaire administered to attendants of the 8th Roundtable
Meeting of the RSPO (RSPO-RT8) in Jakarta in November 2010
We focused on informants affiliated in different capacities within the RSPO process, as this is a multi-stakeholder alliance that aims to promote the sustainability of
palm oil. It is possibly the only large-scale and comprehensive effort to bring
together the different stakeholders within the palm oil supply chain. In this respect
the RSPO process has the capacity to influence the global debate on palm oil sustainability. To our best knowledge, there are no studies that empirically capture the
perceptions of different RSPO stakeholders as they relate to the impacts of palm oil
on ecosystem services and human well-being. Capturing and understanding the
multiplicity of these perceptions is particularly relevant for the RSPO, as these differences can complicate the attainment of consensus (Schouten and Glasbergen
2011; Partzsch 2009; Silva-Castaneda 2012; von Geibler 2013).
10.3.2 Data Collection
10.3.2.1 Expert Interviews with RSPO-Certified Firms
We undertook semi-structured interviews with managers and executives involved in
different capacities in the palm oil sector (e.g., oil palm plantations, trading companies, CPO plants, agricultural production in-house researchers, and refiners). These
interviews were conducted during several field visits in Sumatra (2–5 July 2010),
Singapore, and Johor (Malaysia) (30/June/2010 and 05/July/2010). In addition, we
carried out informal discussions with workers and local residents during the field
visits in these areas. Interviewees were asked questions regarding the perceived
changes due to the adoption of certification standards by the palm oil industry and
their impacts on ecosystem services, human well-being, and biodiversity.
10.3.2.2 RSPO-RT8 Stakeholder Survey
The structured questionnaire consisted of 15 questions, 14 of which were fixedrange questions that aimed to capture the stakeholders’ perception about the impact
of the oil palm industry on ecosystem services, biodiversity, and human well-being.
The remaining question aimed to identify whether the respondents were involved/
interested in palm oil biodiesel production.
R. Moreno-Peñaranda et al.
Sections 10.4 and 10.5 capture and analyze the perceptions of various stakeholders associated with the palm oil industry about the impacts of the sector on ecosystem services, biodiversity, and human well-being. The studied impacts reflect the
main impacts outlined in Sect. 10.2. The two main data collection mechanisms are:
1. Semi-structured interviews with RSPO-certified firms in Malaysia and Indonesia
2. Structured questionnaire administered to attendants of the 8th Roundtable
Meeting of the RSPO (RSPO-RT8) in Jakarta in November 2010
We focused on informants affiliated in different capacities within the RSPO process, as this is a multi-stakeholder alliance that aims to promote the sustainability of
palm oil. It is possibly the only large-scale and comprehensive effort to bring
together the different stakeholders within the palm oil supply chain. In this respect
the RSPO process has the capacity to influence the global debate on palm oil sustainability. To our best knowledge, there are no studies that empirically capture the
perceptions of different RSPO stakeholders as they relate to the impacts of palm oil
on ecosystem services and human well-being. Capturing and understanding the
multiplicity of these perceptions is particularly relevant for the RSPO, as these differences can complicate the attainment of consensus (Schouten and Glasbergen
2011; Partzsch 2009; Silva-Castaneda 2012; von Geibler 2013).
10.3.2 Data Collection
10.3.2.1 Expert Interviews with RSPO-Certified Firms
We undertook semi-structured interviews with managers and executives involved in
different capacities in the palm oil sector (e.g., oil palm plantations, trading companies, CPO plants, agricultural production in-house researchers, and refiners). These
interviews were conducted during several field visits in Sumatra (2–5 July 2010),
Singapore, and Johor (Malaysia) (30/June/2010 and 05/July/2010). In addition, we
carried out informal discussions with workers and local residents during the field
visits in these areas. Interviewees were asked questions regarding the perceived
changes due to the adoption of certification standards by the palm oil industry and
their impacts on ecosystem services, human well-being, and biodiversity.
10.3.2.2 RSPO-RT8 Stakeholder Survey
The structured questionnaire consisted of 15 questions, 14 of which were fixedrange questions that aimed to capture the stakeholders’ perception about the impact
of the oil palm industry on ecosystem services, biodiversity, and human well-being.
The remaining question aimed to identify whether the respondents were involved/
interested in palm oil biodiesel production.
R. Moreno-Peñaranda et al.