The Palm Pod

Oftentimes, when discussing the responsibility in ensuring sustainability practices, it always points at a business entity, an institution, specific stakeholders or perhaps an individual. But, what if the future of sustainability didn’t depend on one company or one farmer doing the right thing, but an entire place deciding to do it together? RSPO Jurisdictional Approach aims to address just that....

Nutrition-related opinions around cooking oils are often shaped by misguided narratives, especially when it comes to fats and their perceived health effects. Among these, palm oil frequently stands out as one of the most debated vegetable oils in everyday diets. In this episode of The Palm Pod, we take a closer look at palm oil through a nutrition lens—exploring what it actually contains, how it c...

From Indonesia to Ecuador, Sabah to Sierra Leone, women have played an important role in building a more sustainable palm oil industry around the world.  In fact, women make up about 21% of the workforce across 540 RSPO Units of Certification. Around 15% and 25% hold management and administration roles in certified mills and estates, respectively. In this International Women’s Day special episode...

Peatlands are one of nature’s oldest and most powerful carbon sinks, quietly supporting climate stability, biodiversity, and communities around the world. Yet when degraded, they become a major driver of fires, emissions, and haze. In this episode of The Palm Pod , we explore Peatlands 101 , why peatlands matter, how their degradation fuels fires and haze, and why protecting them is critical for a...

Chester is a historic city in North West England, the United Kingdom, which has earned the title as the World’s first Sustainable Palm Oil City. This pioneering project was led by Chester Zoo to drive awareness, collaboration, and real change in how communities engage with sustainable palm oil. In this episode, we explore this fascinating story of a city coming together, uniting schools, restauran...

Did you know that when you buy products with the ‘RSPO Credits’ label, you can directly support smallholders through the purchase of RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Credits ?  These ISH Credits have benefited thousands of farmers globally—opening up market opportunities, encouraging sustainable practices, and strengthening rural livelihoods. But their impact goes further: ISH Credits help build...

China is making significant strides toward sustainability, marked by its first shipment of RSPO Identity Preserved (IP) Certified Sustainable Palm Oil in 2024. In this special episode of The Palm Pod , we commemorate 10 years of RSPO’s engagement in China: a decade of building partnerships, shaping policy conversations, and promoting Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) in one of the world’s most...

Whether it says RSPO Certified, Mixed, or Credits — the RSPO label helps consumers identify products made with Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO).  These ecolabels aren’t just symbols; they represent a rigorous certification process that supports transparency, traceability, and sustainability in the palm oil supply chain. Hosted by Fara Rom , this episode features Shazaley Abdullah , Head of Ce...

Behind every sustainability success story are individuals working tirelessly to uphold regulations and standards. And behind every conservation effort are those who spend countless hours studying wildlife, monitoring habitats, and facing the real dangers of conservation work—far beyond the  discussions at COP meetings. We often advocate for environmental protection, but how often do we hear from t...

Regenerative agriculture may hold the key to solving some of the world’s most critical agricultural challenges. By focusing on soil and plant health, it’s not only good for the planet—it’s also been shown to improve yields for RSPO Certified smallholders who adopt nature-based practices. Through its Wild Asia Group Scheme Bio (WAGS Bio) initiative, Wild Asia partners with independent smallholders...

Before the oil palm journeyed thousands of miles across the world, it was already a cherished treasure in the African region. For the people of Africa, palm oil is more than just a commodity—it is deeply woven into their history, culture, identity, and daily lives. To explore this rich historical connection, our host, Fara Rom spoke with Ozoz Sokoh ,  food historian, and the author of Chop Chop: C...

Ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and biodiversity hotspots, are often portrayed as being in crisis in anti-palm oil campaigns, fueling calls for boycotts as a way to protect them. But can palm oil cultivation and broader conservation efforts coexist in a way that aligns with sustainable development? Joining our host, Fara Rom , is Ruth Silva from the High Conservation Value (HCV) Network ,...

Youth aren’t just the future—they are the present. While discussions on sustainable palm oil continue to expand, there remains a noticeable gap in youth awareness,  Hosted by Fara Rom , this episode is Izzuddin Tuah , Youth Sustainable Palm Oil Advocate , who will share valuable insights on the crucial role of young people in shaping a more sustainable future—particularly in the palm oil industry....

Get into the festive spirit with our special Holiday edition of The Palm Pod ! This holiday season, we’re diving into the world of consumer choices and buying behaviour, exploring why it’s crucial to make informed decisions—especially during the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year. With host, Fara Rom , joining us is Yasmina Neustadtl , Senior Manager of Market Transformation Americas at...

The palm oil sector is often perceived as a "Big Boys' Game," dominated by large corporations controlling the global market. However, this narrative overlooks the significant contribution of independent farmers—smallholders—who account for approximately 40% of the global palm oil sector. Hosted by Fara Rom , this episode of The Palm Pod shines a light on the critical role smallholde...

Palm oil has often been at the center of environmental debates , sparking calls for boycotts—particularly in the Western world. But is boycotting really the answer? Hosted by Fara Rom , this episode of The Palm Pod unpacks the complexities of palm oil production, tackling common myths, misinformation, and the ongoing debate around sustainable palm oil. From its environmental footprint to the milli...

Welcome to the first episode of The Palm Pod , hosted by Fara Rom and brought to you by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).  In this episode, we take a look back at the journey of sustainable palm oil—how it started, where we are today, and what lies ahead. Joining us is Hun Sung Yen (HS) , Director of Standards & Sustainability at RSPO , who shares key insights into the progress, c...