How High Are High Carbon Stocks?

The High Carbon Stock (HCS) Science Study came about as a consequence of the Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto or SPOM in short. SPOM was initiated by five major oil palm growers (Sime Darby Plantation, IOI Corporation Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Asian Agri and Musim Mas Group) together with Cargill and Unilever. SPOM commits its signatories to no deforestation in High Carbon Stock (HCS) forest areas, creating traceable and transparent supply chains, and protecting peatlands.

The Study to define HCS was funded by these companies together with Wilmar International Limited and IDH (also known as Sustainable Trade Initiative). The HCS Science Study released its draft Synthesis report for public consultation in June 2015. The public consultation ended on 31st July 2015.

MPOC found that uncertainty still prevails on the reality of the definition and delineation of land with high carbon stocks that will be barred for oil palm cultivation. MPOC also cautioned that its implementation can have serious adverse consequences on the future of global food security as well as the uplifting of livelihood of people in developing potential oil palm growing countries.

To read the full submission of MPOC,