Written by Paren Anak Nyawi, MPOCC

The oil palm industry significantly contributes to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and Malaysia is the second highest palm oil producer worldwide. According to Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) data, as of Dec 2021, about 5.73 million hectares of land were used to grow palm oil in Malaysia. This fact has shown a sign of urgency for Malaysia’s palm oil industry to adopt a sustainable practice.

With that notion, Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) has introduced the High Conservation Value (HCV) elements to its stakeholders. High Conservation Value (HCV) emphasises the biological, ecological, social, and cultural values, a critical issue to be debated in the palm oil industry. This issue has alarmed the nations to put some stop signs on any circumstances critically. Any legal requirement relating to HCV must be followed as to Principle 3: Compliance with legal and other requirements. Due to the urge to react, MSPO has tried to protect Malaysia’s rich biodiversity. MSPO plays a vital role in preserving biodiversity in Malaysia.

In MS2530:2022, biodiversity refers to the variety of life. It is the diversity of all living organisms from the various ecosystems of the planet. It includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems in which they live. Biodiversity is significant in pollination and crop production, and more than one-third of the world’s food crops depend on natural pollination involving animal and insect species. It shows how important the role of fauna species is in maintaining the natural balance of the ecosystems.

Moreover, biodiversity also plays an essential role in stabilising the climate, where plants act as carbon stores that help slow down the development of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In addition, biodiversity also prevents and reduces the effects of natural disasters. Thus, forests protect the landscape from erosion, nutrient loss, and landslides through the action of root grip. Biodiversity also plays a vital role in soil generation and maintaining air and water quality.

The urge to focus on the 5 Pillars of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has influenced MSPO to highlight its direction to adopt and endorse High Biodiversity Value (HBV) in 2013. Seeing the significant role of biodiversity in maintaining the balance of the environment, MSPO plays a role in protecting Malaysia’s biodiversity. The main plan is to ensure the sustainability of the ecosystems is maintained. MSPO first introduced the certification program in 2015, and it has become an indicator of quality that must be complied with by all stakeholders.

Newly revised standards MS2530:2022 have been announced to prohibit any conversion involving natural forests, protected areas, and High Conservation Value areas after 31st December 2019.

It is a mandatory requirement for all the stakeholders involved in oil palm plantations to comply with the conditions set by the MSPO. If these necessary conditions are not adhered to, the entity won’t get certified by MSPO. Therefore, oil palm growers need to practice good agriculture practices to conserve biodiversity.

Good agriculture practices can improve soil fertility naturally and can strengthen pest control. MSPO focuses on the sustainability of the palm oil industry, where biodiversity is a priceless treasure and a legacy for future generations. The initiatives involved in the commitment to environmental management, conservation, and protection shall cover pollution prevention, optimising the use of natural resources, and mitigating the impacts of global warming.