PRESS RELEASE
Civil Society Representative Group for the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil Industry
Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Along with World Forest Day, our civil society representative groups expressed a shared attitude regarding Indonesia’s sustainable palm oil industry through a position paper as a form of active and transparent participation in the ‘strengthening’ process, namely fundamental reform of the coconut industry certification system Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) which is currently being sought by the Government.
The position paper was prepared to support the Indonesian agenda in (i) addressing the challenges of climate change mitigation and improving natural resource governance through its policy framework and implementation, (ii) increasing the market acceptability of oil palm as a strategic commodity and (iii) guaranteeing protection , respect and fulfillment of human rights.
That sustainable palm oil transformation in Indonesia must be based on a shared vision to: Stop the rate of deforestation in remaining forest cover and degradation of environmental functions and biodiversity in it; Stop transferring functions and improve forest protection and total protection of peatland ecosystems; and Providing legal guarantees for maintaining the rights of affected communities, including but not limited to indigenous peoples, local communities, smallholders and workers, in a real and consistent manner.
The lack of credibility and accountability in the implementation of the current ISPO certification, coupled with the weak law enforcement of various violations has been detrimental to the environment and caused conflicts between communities and oil palm plantations, which in turn had an impact on the low market acceptance of ISPO.
In April 2016, President Jokowi had committed to implement a palm moratorium which should have been able to stop the expansion of oil palm land, both for companies and under the pretext of ‘smallholders’ needs. At present, business groups and their supporters continue to strive so that the principles that will be implemented later, do not complicate the plans for expansion of oil palm plantations and always use the pretext of ‘smallholders’ and issues of nationalism that are not fundamentally protective when there is criticism for improvement palm oil industry in Indonesia.
It is unfortunate that during the process of strengthening the ISPO, there was also a neglect of agreements and input from civil society groups regarding the substance of the principles and ISPO standards, including the elimination of 2 (two) principles, namely; flexibility and transparency and respect for human rights. The situation has hurt the ongoing multi-party process.
Improvement of the ISPO certification system must be carried out thoroughly through a redesign process that is participatory, inclusive, transparent and accountable. The new ISPO certification system must include robust and robust standards that guarantee credibility and accountability. The ISPO certification system must be followed by effective law enforcement and a comprehensive policy framework to ensure the achievement of improved management of the oil palm industry in Indonesia.
For this reason, we express our attitude as an open input to the Government, so that it can be known to the public and needs monitoring by the public.
http://ksp.go.id/presiden-siapkan-moratorium-lahan-kelapa-sawit-dan-lahan-tambang/
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Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS) – Indonesian Ecolabel Institution (LEI) -Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) – Network of Independent Forestry Monitors (JPIK) – Kaoem Telapak – World Resource Foundation Indonesia – Greenpeace Indonesia – Sustainable Civil Society Foundation – Institute for Ecosoc Rights – GAIA – Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) – In Indonesia, East Kalimantan – Jasoil, West Papua – Uno Itam, Aceh – Jambi Three Beradik Institution (LTB) – Evergreen, Central Sulawesi – Pusaka Foundation – Sayogyo Institute – Indonesia Center for Environmental Law – Partnership – GeRak Aceh – Stable East Kalimantan – MATA Aceh – Legal Aid Association Kalimantan – PPLH Mangkubumi – JAPESDA Gorontalo – GRID West Kalimantan – LPMA Borneo, Kalimantan Selatan – Peduli Nanggroe Atjeh (PeNA) Foundation, Aceh – Jikalahari, Riau
Contact:
Soelthon G. Nanggara, sulton@fwi.or.id, 0856 4963 8037
Marcel Andry, andry.spks@gmail.com, 0813 1460 5024
Herryadi, herryadi@lei.or.id, 0813 87059920
Mardi Minangsari, minangsari@gmail.com, 0818 100 930
Isna Fatimah, fatimahisna.r@gmail.com, 0813 1923 0279
Position Paper Documents Can be downloaded at:
