RSPO Interactive Indicators & Guidance 2024
Planet
Conserved, Protected And Enhanced Ecosystems That Provide For The Next Generation
Ecosystems and their services are protected, restored, and resilient, including through sustainable consumption and production and sustainable management of natural resources [sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse and degradation, halt biodiversity loss (SDG 15)].
Climate change is addressed through continuous GHG reductions and air and water pollution are controlled
Principle 4
Protect The Environment, Conserve Biodiversity, Enhance Ecosystems, And Sustainably Manage Natural Resources
Impact Goals
The Criteria and Indicators in Principle 4 are linked to the following Long-term Outcomes in the RSPO Theory of Change:
People
L1, L2
Planet
L4, L5, L6
Prosperity
L9
Criterion 4.1
High Conservation Values (HCVs) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests in smallholder plots, identified through the RSPO Simplified HCV Approach and Independent Smallholder - Land Use Risk Identification (IS-LURI) are managed to ensure that they are maintained and/or enhanced.
Indicators
4.1 E(applies to)
Smallholder shall commit to avoiding development in, and protect, HCVs and HCS forests, and to manage rare, threatened or endangered (RTE) species, if any, based on the results of the Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA) conducted in the pre-membership stage assisted by the RSPO Secretariat.
4.1 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders and permanent workers, if any, shall complete training on management of HCVs and HCS forests, application of precautionary practices, and are aware of identified HCVs, HCS forests, RTE species, and important ecosystems, if any.
4.1 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall implement precautionary practices to manage HCVs and HCS forests, and to manage and maintain RTE species, where applicable.
Criterion 4.2
Where the existing smallholder plot has been planted and cleared after November 2005, or is on an area identified as HCS forest after November 2019 up to the Eligibility period, a RSPO Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP) process for smallholders is applicable.
Indicators
4.2 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall provide information on all owned smallholder plots (planted with oil palm and unplanted) after November 2005 to Group Manager based on the results of Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA) conducted in the pre-membership stage assisted by the RSPO Secretariat.
4.2 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders and Group Manager(s) shall develop a remediation and compensation plan through a participatory process, based on the RSPO Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP) process for smallholders.
4.2 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholder shall implement the approved remediation plan.
Criterion 4.3
Do any smallholders within the group have plans for new planting of oil palm? If no, SKIP
Since November 2019, new planting by independent smallholders, if any:
A) Do not replace any HCVs;
B) Do not replace any HCS forests as defined by RSPO Simplified HCV Approach and IS-LURI;
C) Are not on steep slopes (more than 25 degrees, or as in National Interpretations);
D) Are not on peat areas of any depth;
E) Are not located in restricted areas or protected by national laws; and
F) Are not on riparian reserves.
Indicators
4.3 E(applies to)
If no plan(s) for new planting, SKIP
Smallholders shall commit to provide information on all planned new planting, including*:
A) No new planting on HCVs or HCS forests;
B) No new planting on steep slopes (more than 25 degrees, or as in the National Interpretation);
C) No new planting on peat until HCVs and/or HCS forest(s) are identified;
D) No new planting in restricted areas or protected by national laws; and/or
E) No new planting on riparian reserves.
*Refer to Indicator A1.2.E and Annex 2 - Smallholder Declaration
4.3 MS(A)(applies to)
For any new planting, before any land preparation commences, smallholders with the support of the Group Manager shall develop an integrated management plan through a participatory process to maintain or enhance HCVs, as well as HCS forests after November 2019, as identified by the RSPO Simplified HCV Approach and Independent Smallholder - Land Use Risk Identification (IS-LURI).
4.3 MS(B)(applies to)
For any new planting, smallholders shall have and implement an RSPO approved integrated management plan, that is shared with those involved in the participatory process before any land preparation commences.
Criterion 4.4
Do any smallholders within the group have existing plots on peat? If no, SKIP
For existing planting on peat, subsidence and degradation of peat soils are minimised by use of Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Indicators
4.4 E(applies to)
For existing planting on peat, smallholders shall commit to minimising subsidence and degradation of peat soils* according to the latest version of the 'RSPO Smallholder Best Management Practices Manual for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat'. The Group Manager shall confirm presence of peat on existing plots within the smallholder plots.
*Refer to Indicator A1.2.E and Annex 2 - Smallholder Declaration
4.4 MS(A)(applies to)
For existing planting on peat, smallholders shall have undergone training(s) and develop an action plan, together with the Group Manager, to minimise risk of fire, to apply BMPs for planting on peat, and to manage water systems in the certification unit, according to the latest version of the 'RSPO Smallholder Best Management Practices Manual for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat'.
4.4 MS(B)(applies to)
For existing plots on peat, smallholders shall implement the action plan conducted by Group Manager, according to the latest version of the 'RSPO Smallholder Best Management Practices Manual for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat', including fire and water management, and monitoring of subsidence rate(s) for existing planting on peat.
Criterion 4.5
Do any smallholders within the group have plans for replanting plots that are located on peat? If no, SKIP
Smallholder plots on peat are replanted only on areas with low risk of flooding or saline intrusion, as demonstrated by a risk assessment.
Indicators
4.5 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to providing information on all plans for replanting and commit that replanting will only be in areas with low risk of flooding or saline intrusion* based on an approved flood risk assessment, in accordance with the latest version of the 'RSPO ISH Flood Risk Assessment Template'
*Refer to Indicator A1.2.E and Annex 2 - Smallholder Declaration
4.5 MS(A)(applies to)
For existing planting on peat, smallholders shall have undergone training(s), as organised by Group Manager, on identification of future risks of flooding or saline intrusion based on the latest version of the 'RSPO ISH Flood Risk Assessment Template' and alternate land development strategies.
4.5 MS(B)(applies to)
Prior to replanting on peat, smallholders shall participate in a risk assessment process conducted by Group Manager according to the latest version of the 'RSPO ISH Flood Risk Assessment Template'. Where there are plots identified as high risk, smallholders shall halt any replanting programme(s) and adopt alternate land development strategies, where applicable.
Criterion 4.6
Fire is not used on the smallholder plots for land preparation or for pest and disease management, and no open burning for waste management within the smallholder plots*.
*For country-specific implementation, National Interpretations should be used as a reference.
Indicators
4.6 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to not using fire for land preparation, or for pest and disease management unless in exceptional circumstances, and no open burning for waste management within the smallholder plots*. The Group Manager shall record evidence of prior open burning by members joining the group.
*Refer to Indicator A1.2.E and Annex 2 - Smallholder Declaration
4.6 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall not have physical evidence of using fire for land preparation, or for pest and disease management unless in exceptional circumstances, and no open burning for waste management within the smallholder plots (after Eligibility).
Smallholders shall have undergone training(s) as organised by Group Manager. The training(s) shall include:
A) Alternatives to fire for land preparation and farm waste management (where appropriate and possible);
B) Alternatives to fire for pest and disease management;
C) Fire prevention and how to respond to and manage fires in their community and village; and
D) List of relevant national and local agencies i.e., Fire and Rescue Department / Fire and Rescue Service, local government authorities, national disaster management agencies (if any) and their roles in regulations, and strategies aimed at preventing and managing fire incidents.
4.6 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall not use fire for land preparation, or for pest and disease management, and no open burning for waste management within the smallholder plots (after Eligibility).
For pest and disease management, fire may be used only in exceptional circumstances, where no other effective measures exist and with prior approval of relevant authority(ies).
Criterion 4.7
Riparian reserves are identified and managed to ensure maintenance and/or improvement, in accordance with national legislation or the latest version of the 'RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) Manual for Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves'.
Indicators
4.7 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to no new planting in riparian reserves to ensure its maintenance and/or improvement in accordance with national legislation or the latest version of the 'RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) Manual for Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves' (whichever standard is higher shall prevail). The Group Manager shall identify riparian reserves within the smallholder plots.
4.7 MS(A)(applies to)
Where riparian reserves exist within and/or along the boundaries of the smallholder plots, smallholders shall have undergone training(s) as organised by the Group Manager, and demonstrate awareness of riparian reserve management. Smallholders shall develop an action plan, with the support of the Group Manager to maintain and/or enhance the riparian reserves.
4.7 MS(B)(applies to)
Where riparian reserves exist within and/or along the boundaries of the smallholder plots, smallholders shall implement the action plan developed with the support of the Group Manager to maintain and/or enhance the riparian reserve, in accordance with national legislation or the latest version of 'RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) Manual for Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves' (whichever standard is higher shall prevail).
Criterion 4.8
Pesticides are used in ways that do not endanger the health and safety of workers, family, communities, and/or the environment.
Indicators
4.8 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to perform Best Management Practices (BMPs) for pesticides, and phasing out paraquat and prohibited pesticides by MS B, with the following actions:
A) Immediately stop purchasing these pesticides;
B) Phase out use of remaining stock by MS A;
C) Provide information for the Group Manager to keep record of pesticide purchase and use; and
D) Has proper management in handling pesticide containers.
The prohibited pesticides shall include prohibited pesticides:
A) Categorised under World Health Organization Class 1A or 1B;
B) Meeting the criteria for carcinogenicity Categories 1A and 1B, mutagenicity Categories 1A and 1B, or reproductive toxicity Categories 1A and 1B, according to the Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS);
C) Listed by the Stockholm or Rotterdam Conventions; and/or
D) Restricted or prohibited under national regulations.
4.8 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall have undergone training(s) as organised by the Group Manager on BMPs for pesticides and prohibited pesticides.
The training(s) shall include:
A) Identifying list of safe chemical use, record keeping of pesticide, handling, storage and safe disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers;
B) Awareness on the risks for pregnant and breastfeeding women and young workers;
C) Prohibited pesticides that are categorised as World Health Organization (WHO) Class 1A or 1B, or meet the criteria for carcinogenicity Categories 1A and 1B, mutagenicity Categories 1A and 1B, or reproductive toxicity Categories 1A and 1B, according to the Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), or are listed by the Stockholm or Rotterdam Conventions or national regulations, or paraquat; and
D) The use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to handle pesticides.
4.8 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall implement BMPs for all pesticide use and end the use of prohibited pesticides. The implementation of BMPs on pesticide use shall include:
A) Pesticides and pesticide containers handling, storage and disposal;
B) Prohibiting use of pesticides by pregnant and breastfeeding women and young workers; and
C) Elimination of paraquat and pesticides listed as WHO Class 1A or 1B, Categories 1A and 1B under GHS, and/or the Stockholm or Rotterdam Conventions, unless when authorised by relevant authorities for pest outbreaks.
Criterion 4.9
Pests and diseases, weeds and invasive species are managed using appropriate techniques, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Indicators
4.9 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to managing pests and diseases, weeds and invasive species, if any, using appropriate techniques, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
4.9 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall have undergone training(s) as organised by the Group Manager and demonstrate awareness on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for managing pests and diseases, weeds, and invasive species using appropriate techniques, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and safe chemical use.
4.9 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches to minimise use of pesticides at the smallholder plots.