Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Dealing with dilemma of the US issues

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/11/letter-dealing-with-us-palm-oil-issues.html

Letter: Dealing with US palm-oil issues

The Jakarta Post | Fri, 05/11/2012 11:15 AM
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I am trying to provide a frank and honest response to the recently published article “RI formally challenges US palm-oil policy,” (The Jakarta Post, May 5).

I have to say that it is the ultimate authority of the US whether or not to ban Indonesian crude palm oil (CPO). We can do nothing to prevent such a decision. There’s no need to be reactive. Indonesia is still the largest market of CPO, except it has fewer opportunities in agro-fuel markets. What should governments do?

The government should be proactive taking measures persistently and consistently in resolving issues relevant to entering new markets like bio-diesel in the US, which is a challenging business. Carbon-neutral requirements will require certain levels of scientifically robust and acceptable thresholds.

No doubt that comprehensive, independent and credible research is needed to tackle allegations of greenhouse-gas emissions from palm-oil production.

Palm-oil biodiesel emissions depend on historical land use and land use changes in carbon stocks, to be taken into account with the palm oil from plantations that are converted.

Still, significant gases are being released when producing bio-diesel from palm oil. The emissions-related factors are nitrogen fertilizers, methane gas from palm-oil mills and mill waste.

What is the solution? Indonesia can take immediate corrective and affirmative action. The state should develop human-rights standards in agribusiness to enable, reconcile and incorporate international best practices into policy.

Human rights regimes should be empowered to incorporate and institutionalize cross-cutting issues, regimes and arrangements of the sector. We should also gradually pursue legal reforms towards credible, sustainable and responsible palm-oil development and production.

Indonesia has nothing to lose should the government be honest and wise in dealing with the issue.


Norman Jiwan
Bogor, West Java
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About Me

Born 8th May 1977, Mabah village of Dayak Kerambai tribe, West Kalimantan, Borneo island. He was trained at pedagogy and education faculty on English teaching at Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, West Kalimantan. Holding certificates on environmental leadership program, research, journalist, fire prevention, teaching, human rights & indigenous peoples in the international system, sustainable forest management, and sustainable palm oil. Co-author published domestic and international books. Experience speaker and resource person in seminars, conferences, workshops, and symposium both regional and international fora including in Brazil, Cambodia, Finland, France, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Philippines, United States, and Vietnam. Active member of Executive Board of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil represents Sawit Watch (2008-2012). Currently he lives in Bogor. Volunteer and activist works with WALHI Kalbar (2002-2004) and Sawit Watch (2004-2012). June 2013-2016, Executive Director of TuK INDONESIA. Consultant for Forest Peoples Programme (2013), MFP-III (2015), and ELSAM (2017).

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