Written by Eileen Chiang & Mohamad Izzuddin, MPOCC

During the GAP analysis which was conducted before the MSPO Standards Review Process, it was found that the MS2530:2013 does not incorporate High Conservation Value (HCV). This identified GAP has been addressed and achieved in the revised MSPO Standards (MS2530:2022). In the MS2530:2022, the environmental requirements have been strengthened in such a way that the HCV concept has been incorporated into the Standards, supported by specific HCV Guidelines which will be established by MPOCC.

The main intention of this principle is for the organisation to commit to environmental management, conservation and protection, prevention of pollution, optimising use of natural resources, and mitigating the impacts of global warming.

Principle 5 consist of seven criteria which are:

• Environmental management

• Efficiency of energy use and use of renewable energy

• Waste management and disposal

• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions

• Water resources

• Environmental conservation and protection

• Zero burning practices.

Criterion 1: Environmental Management

The organisation needs to establish environmental policies and the stated policies shall be established communicated and implemented. The records for all the identified polluting activities shall be accessed and the organisation shall establish, implement, and review the plans which shall be in line with the legal requirements. Polluting activities means any anthropogenic activities that affect the environment by contributing to air, water, soil, light, and noise pollution. The organisation also needs to establish and implement an environmental management training programme for all employees to understand the policy and plans.

Criterion 2: Efficiency of Energy use and use of Renewable Energy

The organisation shall assess, optimise (whenever practical) and monitor its energy consumption, including fuel usage by contractors at periodic intervals. Examples of renewable energy are solar, wind, biogas, geothermal, biomass, low-impact hydroelectricity, and emerging technologies (wave and tidal power). The use of renewable energy shall be encouraged and applied where practical.

Criterion 3: Waste Management and Disposal

The organisation shall identify and document all types of waste products and sources of pollution, and a waste management plan shall be established and implemented. The organisation must ensure there is no use of fire for waste disposal except in situations allowed under the legal framework.

Criterion 4: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are essentially climate-changing gases. They are those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorb and emit radiation from the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere, and clouds. They absorb infrared radiation and trap heat in the lowest layer of the atmosphere. This property causes the greenhouse effect.  Due to the sudden increase of the greenhouse effect, which is also known as the enhanced greenhouse effect, climate change occurred.

The definition of climate change is alterations/changes in the global climate which result from increasing average global temperature that persists for an extended period. This includes changes in precipitation patterns, increased occurrence of droughts, heat waves, and other extreme weather events. Therefore, climate change is one of the global megatrends and one of the planetary boundaries that directly affect sustainable development. According to the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it is one of the biggest threats facing humanity in the long term today.

In contributing to the national committee for climate change and SDG 13 on climate action, all actors along the value chain shall identify the sources of GHG emissions, monitor, and plan for reductions, whenever applicable. MPOCC as scheme owner is in the process of developing the GHG calculator which is only applicable to Part 3 (estate and plantations), Part 4-1 (palm oil mills), and Part 4-2 (palm oil processing facilities) and for part 2-1 and 2-2, identify the GHG emission for awareness purposes. Reporting on this criterion shall be done on an annual basis also only applicable to Part 3 (estate and plantations), Part 4-1 (palm oil mills), and Part 4-2 (palm oil processing facilities). The intent of this criterion is for the organisation to monitor and create awareness of energy usage including renewable energy and GHG as well as to support national commitments by using the stepwise approach listed in the indicators.

Criterion 5: Water Resources

The organisation shall establish a water management plan to prevent pollution and ensure maintain the quality and availability of water resources. The water management plan should include:

1. Assessment of water usage, sources of supply, and its quality;

2. Monitoring of outgoing water, which may have negative impacts on the natural waterways;

3. Ways to optimize water and nutrient usage to reduce wastage, including rainwater harvesting practices;

4. Protection of watercourses and wetlands, including maintaining, rehabilitating and/or enhance riparian/riparian buffer zones before replanting,

5. Where bore wells are being used for water supply, the level of the ground water table should be measured at least annually; and

6. Ways to monitor and ensure adequate and quality water for sustaining livelihood, human well-being and socio-economic development, where applicable.

Criterion 6: Environmental Conservation and Protection

This includes the element of biodiversity and high conservation value (HCV). HCV is defined as the biological, ecological, social, or cultural values which are considered outstandingly significant or critically important, at the national, regional, or global level. The six categories of HCV are defined as follows:

The intent of this criterion is to implement the HCV management plan, review its achievement/practicality and enhance wherever possible. The requirement on HCV however does not apply to Dealers (MS2530-4-3:2022).

Criterion 7: Zero Burning Practice

This means there shall be no open burning, except in situations allowed under the legal framework. Response and mitigation plans shall be established to prevent fire. If the organisation needs to conduct burning, special approval for use of fire from relevant authorities shall be sought in areas where no other effective measures exist, previous crops are highly diseased, and there is a significant risk of disease spreading to the next crop. In such cases, the use of fire shall be carried out as prescribed by the relevant laws and guidelines.

In conclusion, the purpose of Principle 5 is to prevent pollution, optimise use of natural resources and mitigate the impacts of climate change.  This principle also in line with some of the SDGs such as SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life On Land). Please be reminded that this article only covers the gist of Principle 5 which is part of MS2530:2022 and is not suitable to be used as a reference or guidance for any audit on the MSPO scheme.