Shared Responsibility (SR) is the set of responsibilities adopted by RSPO Members to achieve RSPO’s vision, “a global partnership to make palm oil sustainable.”

The process for change at RSPO is characterised by a progression of “Mobilise, Act and Transform”. This is the backbone of the RSPO roadmap, the Theory of Change (ToC), and is underpinned by the concept of Shared Responsibility (SR) and accountability for results.

Why is Shared Responsibility needed?

Environmental and social issues throughout the palm oil supply chain are systemic issues which cannot be resolved by one stakeholder in the value chain. It requires collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders. RSPO Certified supply of sustainable palm oil remains at approximately 19% of global volumes. Stimulating demand and increasing the production of sustainable palm oil to make it the norm requires every member of RSPO, including supply chain actors, investors and NGOs to play a role.

• Grower members do their part by implementing the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C).
• Ordinary, non-grower members do their part by implementing Shared Responsibility requirements and becoming RSPO Supply Chain Certified (where applicable).

What responsibilities do RSPO Members commit to under Shared Responsibility?

Ordinary, non-grower RSPO Members are subject to the Shared Responsibility requirements. All members share sustainability requirements that are the same across all stakeholder groups: palm oil processors and traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social or developmental NGOs. Specific requirements may vary from one member category to another, reflecting the unique roles of different member categories to help make sustainable palm oil the norm.

Kauri has been a member of RSPO since 2103 and supports and endorses the fundamental principles of the RSPO Shared Responsibility indicator.