JAKARTA – The United Nations (UN) has formulated a global platform of development called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the 2015-2030 period, replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) implemented during period of 2000-2015.
The SDGs have 17 goals (Figure 11) which can be categorized into three main pillars of development, namely economic, social, and environmental programs. All parties, countries, industrial sectors and other stakeholders are expected to contribute in achieving the SDGs.
As one of the signatories of the SDGs, Indonesia has translated the UN program into its development policies and governance at the national and regional levels. The palm oil industries, as a strategic industry in Indonesia, have proactively positioned itself as part of the solution to help realize the SDGs at the local/regional, national, and global levels.
In terms of economy, the palm oil industries’ contribution to achieving the SDGs is through SDG-7; SDG-8, SDG-9; SDG-10, and SDG-12. The palm oil industry’s contribution to SDG-7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) is shown by the role of the palm oil industries in providing biofuel/ bioenergy at the global market.
The palm oil industries have contributed to achieving SDG-8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), through its role in increasing the income of oil palm smallholders, the welfare of oil palm plantation workers, the locomotive of new economic growth centers in rural areas, regional economic growth and national economic growth, contribution of foreign exchange, the state income, and improving Indonesia’s trade balance.
In addition, the palm oil industries also contribute to the income of palm oil importing countries and state income in palm oil importing countries.
The palm oil industries also contribute to the achievement of SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through its role in the construction and provision of road and bridge infrastructure as well as the development of industry/downstream and innovation.
The palm oil industries also play an important role in achieving SDG-10 (Reduced Inequalities) through its contribution to reducing income inequality between communities in villages and communities in palm oil center areas with communities in non-palm oil center areas.
The palm oil industries also contribute to the achievement of SDG-12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) as shown by its role in realizing the provision of sustainable palm oil products through governance and sustainability certification systems of Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
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Myth 7-15: The above data has debunked the myth that says palm oil industries do not contribute to the achievement of the UN’s SDGs. (*)
