RSPO chief on palm oil boycotts, brand responsibility, and the need to ‘rethink’ retail

Producing palm oil sustainably is one of the biggest challenges we face. Darrel's presentation covers the beginnings of sustainable development for palm oil and what that means for the environment and people. He will also share what has been achieved thus far, along with the future for RSPO and sustainable development of palm oil.

RSPO's outgoing CEO Datuk Darrel Webber says that most of its members are compliant in sustainable planting practices but the government needs to look into factors beyond control of plantation companies to fight the haze problem. This also dovetails into the imminent dangers of climate change which need inter-governmental action.

On a recent hiking expedition with my son, my paternal instincts kicked in as I saw him about to cross under a beautiful, but dead tree, hanging delicately above the forest floor, looking as if it may come crashing down at any time.