151
human dominated landscapes. Such forests can host several animal species and provide ecosystem services such as water purification and flood control (MA 2005a). A
second good environmental practice promoted by the RSPO is the prohibition of
planting oil palm trees in steep terrains (25 degrees or more). Forests in steep terrains could provide a series of ecosystem services including erosion control (MA
2005a). Finally companies that aspire for RSPO certification are required to use
only certain low-toxicity RSPO-approved agrochemicals. At the same time, the
RSPO is quite friendly toward the incorporation of more sustainable forms of pest
management.
10
Shift toward less hazardous forms of pest management can offer
several benefits given the generally negative impact of agrochemicals on ecosystem
services (e.g., on freshwater services), human well- being (e.g., health), and biodiversity (refer to Sect. 10.2).
It should be mentioned that there are several occasions where the RSPO certification process has encountered obstacles by palm oil-producing companies. Our interviews suggested that it is not uncommon for site managers to be apprehensive of the
RSPO certification scheme fearing potential productivity decreases. Furthermore
companies need to invest resources in order to comply with the RSPO standard,
which increases the cost of palm oil production (refer to Sect. 10.5).
Interviewees also noted that the environmental (and indirectly the social) concerns addressed by the RSPO system or any similar certification scheme is not the
only or most efficient way to promote the sustainability of the oil palm sector.
Researchers from the development center of an interviewed company pointed out
that new technologies in plant breeding are the “most promising instrument to make
sustainable palm oil a reality.” According to the interviewee, the current productivity of palm oil plants has not reached the maximum potential, and hybridization
technology will most probably bring astonishing increases in yields (up to sevenfold) in the coming years. This will eliminate the need for expansion into ecosystems rich in ecosystem services and biodiversity and in turn will allow smallholders
to make a living within current land cultivation areas.
In addition, top managers noted that, while RSPO and other similar certification
schemes might make a big difference for those companies currently having a low
environmental and social performance, some companies are moving “beyond certification.” That is, in order to gain a competitive advantage by becoming sustainability leaders within the sector, certain companies are investing heavily in making their
operations “truly sustainable.” According to the interviewee, environmental and
social concerns regarding palm oil “are here to stay”; therefore “sooner rather than
later” firms who do not take steps toward improved performance will “lose out.”
10 For example, companies plant flowers in order to attract insects (e.g., bees) that hatch their eggs
in the larvae of the worm that destroys the oil palm leaves or use owls to hunt rodents that climb
on palm trees to eat the palm kernels.
10 Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being Impacts…
human dominated landscapes. Such forests can host several animal species and provide ecosystem services such as water purification and flood control (MA 2005a). A
second good environmental practice promoted by the RSPO is the prohibition of
planting oil palm trees in steep terrains (25 degrees or more). Forests in steep terrains could provide a series of ecosystem services including erosion control (MA
2005a). Finally companies that aspire for RSPO certification are required to use
only certain low-toxicity RSPO-approved agrochemicals. At the same time, the
RSPO is quite friendly toward the incorporation of more sustainable forms of pest
management.
10
Shift toward less hazardous forms of pest management can offer
several benefits given the generally negative impact of agrochemicals on ecosystem
services (e.g., on freshwater services), human well- being (e.g., health), and biodiversity (refer to Sect. 10.2).
It should be mentioned that there are several occasions where the RSPO certification process has encountered obstacles by palm oil-producing companies. Our interviews suggested that it is not uncommon for site managers to be apprehensive of the
RSPO certification scheme fearing potential productivity decreases. Furthermore
companies need to invest resources in order to comply with the RSPO standard,
which increases the cost of palm oil production (refer to Sect. 10.5).
Interviewees also noted that the environmental (and indirectly the social) concerns addressed by the RSPO system or any similar certification scheme is not the
only or most efficient way to promote the sustainability of the oil palm sector.
Researchers from the development center of an interviewed company pointed out
that new technologies in plant breeding are the “most promising instrument to make
sustainable palm oil a reality.” According to the interviewee, the current productivity of palm oil plants has not reached the maximum potential, and hybridization
technology will most probably bring astonishing increases in yields (up to sevenfold) in the coming years. This will eliminate the need for expansion into ecosystems rich in ecosystem services and biodiversity and in turn will allow smallholders
to make a living within current land cultivation areas.
In addition, top managers noted that, while RSPO and other similar certification
schemes might make a big difference for those companies currently having a low
environmental and social performance, some companies are moving “beyond certification.” That is, in order to gain a competitive advantage by becoming sustainability leaders within the sector, certain companies are investing heavily in making their
operations “truly sustainable.” According to the interviewee, environmental and
social concerns regarding palm oil “are here to stay”; therefore “sooner rather than
later” firms who do not take steps toward improved performance will “lose out.”
10 For example, companies plant flowers in order to attract insects (e.g., bees) that hatch their eggs
in the larvae of the worm that destroys the oil palm leaves or use owls to hunt rodents that climb
on palm trees to eat the palm kernels.
10 Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being Impacts…