Excellence Awards
RSPO Excellence Awards 2026
The RSPO Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding efforts of our members around the world who are delivering impactful solutions to the challenges facing the palm oil sector. These Awards aim to highlight the diverse ways in which RSPO members are contributing to a more sustainable palm oil supply chain, whether through leadership, innovation, or measurable impact in distinct areas of excellence.
The Awards are designed not only to highlight success stories but also to encourage systemic change by recognising initiatives that fill critical gaps in the supply chain, support smallholders, conserve biodiversity, and contribute to climate action and social development.
| Key Dates | |
|---|---|
| 3 August 2026 | Submissions open |
| 11 September 2026 | Submissions close for all categories Note: Judges shall thereafter review the submissions and shortlist 3 nominees for each category |
| 27 October 2026 | Shortlisted nominees are displayed on the website |
| 3 November 2026 | Live voting at the RT2026 Welcome Reception & Excellence Awards, followed by the winners' announcement |
Why Apply?
The RSPO is proud to recognise members for their exceptional contributions to sustainable palm oil. The RSPO Excellence Awards present a valuable opportunity to elevate your company or organisation's profile within the global palm oil community and to showcase your industry-leading practices. By applying, you position your company or organisation as a role model—encouraging innovation, inspiring others, and fostering greater collaboration across the sector.
The awards will be presented during the Welcome Reception of the RSPO Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2026), taking place on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
The Journey Leading to the Award Night
Shortlisted nominees will be selected by an independent, multidisciplinary panel of judges, comprising thought leaders and experts from the palm oil and sustainability sectors. The final winners in each category will be determined by a combination of the judging panel's scores and live voting during the RT — creating an engaging and inclusive celebration where both expert insight and audience participation play an integral role in recognising excellence.
Recognition Beyond the Award Night
Nominees and recipients will gain increased visibility and exposure for their success stories through RSPO's communication channels. This includes:
- A dedicated feature on the RT website that showcases the award nominees alongside a description of their project or initiative related to the relevant award category.
- Official announcements of the award winners across RSPO's official platforms, including the RSPO website, the E-Gazette, and social media channels.
Award Categories
Conservation Leadership Award
This award recognises an RSPO Member company or a partnership of organisations that has gone above and beyond the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) to demonstrate exceptional leadership in environmental stewardship. The recipient will have implemented impactful conservation initiatives that protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, or reduce environmental footprints within palm oil production.
Eligibility Criteria
Scope of membership:
Oil Palm Growers Members
Process:
- Applications must be submitted by members.
- A judging panel reviews the applications and selects three nominees for the award.
- RSPO notifies members about their nomination status.
- The final winner is determined based on the scores awarded by the judging panel (50%) and the results of live voting during the RT (50%).
Smallholder Award
This award recognises an independent smallholder group that has demonstrated exceptional knowledge, capacity, and commitment to sustainable practices through RSPO Certification. The recipient will have made significant strides in improving livelihoods, adopting responsible farming practices, and/or advancing conservation efforts.
Eligibility Criteria
Scope of membership:
Oil Palm Growers - Smallholder Groups.
Process:
- Applications must be submitted by members.
- A judging panel reviews the applications and selects three nominees for the award.
- RSPO notifies members about their nomination status.
- The final winner is determined based on the scores awarded by the judging panel (50%) and the results of live voting during the RT (50%).
Innovation Award
This award recognises an RSPO Member company or a partnership of organisations that has developed or implemented innovative solutions to address key challenges in any area of the palm oil industry. The recipient will have demonstrated forward-thinking approaches that lead to measurable improvements in sustainability, efficiency, environmental stewardship, or social outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
Scope of membership:
All RSPO Members
Process:
- Applications must be submitted by members.
- A judging panel reviews the applications and selects three nominees for the award.
- RSPO notifies members about their nomination status.
- The final winner is determined based on the scores awarded by the judging panel (50%) and the results of live voting during the RT (50%).
Communicating for Good Award
This award recognises an RSPO Member company or a partnership of organisations that has developed and executed an outstanding communication initiative to promote sustainable palm oil. The recipient will have effectively engaged key audiences, particularly consumers, through clear, compelling, and evidence-based messaging that not only raises awareness but actively encourages the adoption and promotion of certified sustainable palm oil.
Eligibility Criteria
Scope of membership:
All RSPO Members
Process:
- Applications must be submitted by members.
- A judging panel reviews the applications and selects three nominees for the award.
- RSPO notifies members about their nomination status.
- The final winner is determined based on the scores awarded by the judging panel (50%) and the results of live voting during the RT (50%).
Shared Responsibility Awards
Presented in two sub-categories: CSPO Uptake Target Applicable and CSPO Uptake Target Not Applicable
Shared Responsibility is a transformative process that calls for collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders in the value chain to contribute towards achieving RSPO's vision. This award recognises RSPO Members that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in implementing the Shared Responsibility requirements, not only by achieving high performance in the Shared Responsibility Scorecards, but also by embedding these requirements across their operations. The award recipients have shown clear and transparent communication of their commitments, credible reporting, and inclusive initiatives that strengthen the sustainable palm oil supply chain, such as meaningful support to smallholders.
Sub-categories
This award recognises RSPO Members across two sub-categories, determined by their CSPO uptake target status.
Shared Responsibility Award (CSPO Uptake Target Applicable)
Applicable to the following membership sectors:
- Processors & Traders (P&T)
- Consumer Goods Manufacturers (CGM)
- Retailers
Shared Responsibility Award (CSPO Uptake Target Not Applicable)
Applicable to the following membership sectors:
- Banks & Investors (B&I)
- Environmental NGOs (eNGO)
- Social NGOs (sNGO)
Conservation Leadership Award
This award recognises an RSPO Member company or a partnership of organisations that has gone above and beyond the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) to demonstrate exceptional leadership in environmental stewardship. The recipient will have implemented impactful conservation initiatives that protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, or reduce environmental footprints within palm oil production.
Eligibility Criteria
Scope of membership:
Oil Palm Growers Members
Process:
- Applications must be submitted by members.
- A judging panel reviews the applications and selects three nominees for the award.
- RSPO notifies members about their nomination status.
- The final winner is determined based on the scores awarded by the judging panel (50%) and the results of live voting during the RT (50%).
Award Criteria
| Award | Criterion 1 | Criterion 2 | Criterion 3 | Criterion 4 | Criterion 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Conservation Leadership Award | Relevant and Impactful Conservation Goals Scoring 1 to 10 based on the relevance of the conservation goals in addressing challenges posed by the palm oil industry and the positive impacts achieved. | Alignment with Large-Scale Conservation Initiative Scoring 1 to 10 based on the evidence demonstrating alignment with relevant global or regional conservation initiatives and/or frameworks. | Implementation of a Strategy that Addresses Conservation Issues Scoring 1 to 10 based on the evidence that the conservation strategy effectively addresses the identified conservation issues. | Inclusion of a Scientifically Rigorous and Credible Monitoring Protocol for Improvement Scoring 1 to 10 based on the evidence showing that a monitoring system is in place and the extent to which the results are used for adaptive management and ongoing improvement. | Involvement of Local Communities Scoring 1 to 10 based on evidence of community engagement through consultations, meetings, and co-design processes related to the project. |
 Smallholder Award | Compliance and Commitment with RSPO Standards Scoring 1 to 10 based on how long the smallholder group has been certified and whether the smallholder group has shown progress in the size (group size and hectarage) of certification throughout the years. | Improvement in Livelihoods and Well-Being Scoring 1 to 10 based on the evidence provided of improved livelihoods and well-being, considering whether the benefits are limited to group members or extend to the wider community. | Other Impacts and Initiatives Scoring 1 to 10 based on the evidence provided regarding initiatives promoting sustainable practices and/or their environmental impact (e.g., conservation efforts). | Smallholder Ownership and Self-Sustainability Scoring 1 to 10 based on evidence that the smallholder group demonstrates a high level of self-reliance in managing their oil palm operations, with access to resources, knowledge, and markets independently, with minimal external support. | |
 Innovation Award | Challenge Identification Scoring 1 to 10 based on the clarity and relevance of the identified challenge in relation to key issues within the palm oil industry. | Innovation Scoring 1 to 10 based on the innovative approach of the solution proposed, and how it differs from or improves upon existing approaches. | Results Scoring 1 to 10 based on the tangible results documented. | Scalability Scoring 1 to 10 based on evidence that the solution can be replicated, expanded, or adapted to benefit other contexts, regions, or groups. | |
 Communicating for Good Award | Consumers Outreach Scoring 1 to 10 based on the scale of the outreach of the campaign or communication project. | Myth-Busting Scoring 1 to 10 based on the campaign's success in addressing common misconceptions about palm oil and raising awareness of its sustainability credentials and/or driving awareness of sustainable palm oil. | RSPO Label and Trademark Scoring 1 to 10 based on the presence, relevance, and visibility of the RSPO Label on packaging, communication materials, and social media platforms. | Collaboration Scoring 1 to 10 based on the extent and quality of collaboration with other RSPO Members and stakeholders in the campaign. | |
 Shared Responsibility Award (CSPO Uptake Target Applicable) | Uptake Target Compliance Scoring 1 to 10 based on the compliance in demonstrating the ability to consistently meet the applicable CSPO Uptake Target volumes for two consecutive years (current and previous year in SR Scorecard). | Engagement & Operationalisation Scoring 1 to 10 based on the effectiveness of integrating and implementing Shared Responsibility principles within the company's internal processes, leading to operationalisation and active team engagement in achieving Shared Responsibility outcomes. | Communication and Commitment Scoring 1 to 10 based on the scope and impact of activities, public statements, and communications demonstrating the company's commitment to Shared Responsibility and its outcomes. | Remarkable Results Scoring 1 to 10 based on the significance and impact of changes achieved through the implementation of Shared Responsibility within the company. | Smallholder Support Initiative Scoring 1 to 10 based on the reach and impact of initiatives aimed at supporting smallholders as part of Shared Responsibility efforts. |
Shared Responsibility Award (CSPO Uptake Target Not Applicable) | Engagement & Operationalisation Scoring 1 to 10 based on the effectiveness of integrating and implementing Shared Responsibility principles within the company's internal processes, leading to operationalisation and active team engagement in achieving Shared Responsibility outcomes. | Communication and Commitment Scoring 1 to 10 based on the scope and impact of activities, public statements, and communications demonstrating the company's commitment to Shared Responsibility and its outcomes. | Remarkable Results Scoring 1 to 10 based on the significance and impact of changes achieved through the implementation of Shared Responsibility within the company. | Smallholder Support Initiative Scoring 1 to 10 based on the reach and impact of initiatives aimed at supporting smallholders as part of Shared Responsibility efforts. |
How to apply
- Submit your entry via this Google Form along with all required supporting documents. All candidates must submit a maximum of 5 pages in PDF format (including data, tables, and images) that document, explain, and highlight how the project meets the Awards Criteria. Alternatively, applicants may also complete the Application Form (Word Document) and submit the same with the required documentation to awards@rspo.org.
- The entry submission deadline is Friday, 11 September 2026, 23:59 hrs (GMT+7).
- All applicants will be vetted for eligibility by the RSPO Secretariat before being presented to the judging panel.
- Applicants must also provide their company logo, project title, and a brief project description (approximately 200 words) in case they are shortlisted by the judging panel. Nominees are strongly encouraged to send a representative (who will be attending RT2026) to the RT2026 Welcome Reception and Excellence Awards or to appoint a delegate if this is not possible. If the above conditions are not met, RSPO reserves the right to appoint a staff member to receive the prize for ceremonial purposes.
- Winners will be announced at the RT2026 Welcome Reception and Excellence Awards on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, during the Welcome Reception, following live voting by audience members via the RT2026 mobile application.
For applicants who are unable to access the Google Form, kindly complete the Application Form (Word Document) and submit it, along with all required documentation, via email to awards@rspo.org.
Enquiries? Please email: awards@rspo.org.