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Although the world is firmly focused on global palm oil prices right now, the picture for palm-related deforestation has improved significantly in 2022. New research by Chain Reaction Research indicates that palm oil-related deforestation has fallen to its lowest levels in four years.  This is in line with research by Global Forest Watch that reinforces

The UK has just released the details of its UK-Indonesia roadmap, and it maintains its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s sustainable palm oil. Earlier this year, meetings were held between the UK and Indonesian governments to salvage elements of the roadmap that had stalled. This was principally about the place of palm oil in the agreement,

One of the most significant current policy challenges to face global exporters is that of labour standards. The current debate over labour standards is a complex mix, comprising several parts. Developed country governments, facing inexpensive goods from other regions, are seeking new modes of protectionism, particularly when faced with uncertain economic conditions and voters seeking

The year 2021 was a critical – and tragic – year for Indonesia. More than 140,000 people died from Covid as the country wrestled with an infection wave in the middle of the year. For the palm oil community, away from the pandemic, there were six significant highlights throughout the year. ISPO moved towards international

Labor and human rights are the new defining issue for the palm oil sector globally, as we look ahead to 2022. Governments and customers have made it clear: they will not tolerate forced labor or child labor in their supply chain. Increasingly, strong labor standards are becoming a requirement for the supply chains of global commodities. In

The Economic Partnership Agreement between Indonesia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – known as the IE- CEPA deal – finally entered into force on November 1, 2021. The enforcement comes following Swiss voters approving the trade deal in a referendum earlier this year, in March, which was the scene of major anti-palm oil campaigning

COP26 was a milestone for Indonesia. As countries struggle to achieve self-defined objectives to reduce emissions and protect the environment, President Jokowi was one of few who could claim his country was ahead of schedule. Jokowi stated that Indonesia aimed to “transform its forest and land-use sector into Net Carbon Sink by 2030” thanks to sustainable

The European Commission published its Due Diligence proposals today, as part of its anti-deforestation Regulation. The proposed EU law would introduce a Due Diligence system to rank countries from ‘high risk’ to ‘low risk’ of deforestation, targeting palm oil and other commodities. This arbitrary and unilateral approach to Due Diligence risks becoming a new trade

The UK Government’s landmark legislation for Due Diligence for deforestation – the first of its kind by any major economy – has now passed its final Parliamentary hurdle. The UK has decided that a legality standard is the best way to approach Due Diligence. The legality standard means that importers must have proof that local laws on

The UK Government continues to push its Due Diligence legislation, aimed at removing products linked to illegal deforestation from the UK market. The legislation has now passed the House of Lords (on 13th October). The legislative process should be completed before the end of 2021. This means that, if it stays on track, the UK