PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – During the Indonesia Economic Summit 2025, a Business Roundtable titled Unlocking Opportunities: Advancing Indonesia’s Leadership in Sustainable Palm Oil was held by the Global Alliance on Sustainable Planet (GASP) and Indonesia Palm Oil Strategic Studies (IPOSS).
In the discussion, Satya Tripathi, Secretary-General of GASP, highlighted the challenges and opportunities Indonesia faces in achieving sustainable palm oil plantations. With an impassioned tone, he urged stakeholders to reshape the global narrative—one that often pressures Indonesia—into a story of success that the world can emulate.
“Indonesia stands at a crossroads,” Tripathi stated before the forum participants, including Palmoilmagazine.com, on Tuesday (February 18, 2025). He pointed out the historical disparity in carbon consumption, noting that the United States has used 25% of the world’s total carbon emissions, while the European Union accounts for 22%.
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Now, developing nations like Indonesia are bearing the burden of strict carbon emission regulations, a situation he described as fueling moral outrage among many.
However, Tripathi acknowledged that despite the inequity in shared responsibility, the realities of global geopolitics and economics operate differently. “Morality matters, but the global trade and economic system function in their own way,” he said.
Indonesia is currently facing several EU policies, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED), both of which impact the palm oil sector—a key industry involving over 18 million Indonesians.
Instead of being trapped in this dilemma, Tripathi sees a major opportunity for Indonesia to lead in sustainable practices. He recalled his experience in post-tsunami recovery efforts in Aceh, which was recognized as one of the world’s best disaster recovery models. “If Indonesia can rebuild efficiently, transparently, and with integrity after a disaster, why not apply the same approach to sustainable palm oil?” he asked.
For Tripathi, the key to success lies in collaboration between the government, private sector, and stakeholders to build a competitive and sustainable system. “We need to change the narrative. The world created the problem, and now we are the ones solving it,” he emphasized.
Beyond mere discussion, Tripathi underscored that this forum marked the beginning of real change. Over the next six to nine months, he expects hundreds of millions of dollars to be invested in technology-driven sustainable palm oil farming initiatives. If successful, Indonesia could become a global benchmark for environmentally friendly and sustainable palm oil management.
With unwavering confidence, Tripathi concluded with a powerful call to action: “Now is the time for Indonesia to lead, not just follow.” (P2)
