Press Releases

ICOPE aims to find climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions that will benefit the environment and the industry

Bali, 16 March 2016 – The fifth International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) this year was inaugurated today by the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Darmin Nasution. Following the COP21 meeting in Paris last year which reached a global consensus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the conference aims to focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions for the palm oil industry.

Themed “Sustainable Palm Oil and Climate Change: The Way Forward Through Mitigation and Adaptation”, ICOPE 2016 brings together nearly 400 leading international environmental scientists, senior government officials, civil society and industry representatives, senior researchers and academia from many countries. The delegates will discuss issues ranging from the impact of climate change on future El Niño/ La Niña occurence, how oil palm can mitigate and adapt to climate change to maintain its superior productivity, challenges facing smallholders and how to address them, as well as calculating carbon footprint and reducing emissions from the palm oil industry.

Through this conference, the industry will discuss implementing advanced technologies, high-yielding planting materials and good agricultural practices to adapt to climate change.

The palm oil sector can play a significant role to meet Indonesia’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to reach its target to reduce GHG emissions by 29 percent by 2030 with its own effort and 41 percent reduction with international assistance across sectors.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution said, “We are thankful to the three key stakeholder groups, the private sector represented by PT SMART Tbk, research institutions represented by CIRAD, and environmental NGOs, represented by WWF Indonesia to conduct this international scientific forum. We are hopeful that this forum will deliver effective solutions and positive suggestions for all stakeholders, including the Indonesian Government in terms of how to contribute reducing GHG emission as mandated by COP21.”

Chairman of Steering Committee ICOPE 2016, Daud Dharsono, stated, “Climate change is real, we are facing it now. All stakeholders, scientists and practitioners, NGOs and government institutions, independent farmers and the agro-industry, must work together to come up with potential and practical options in mitigating and adapting to climate change. With the collective knowledge and expertise of all stakeholders, we believe we can identify climate solutions for application across the palm oil industry.”

Chairman and CEO of Golden-Agri Resources (GAR) Franky O. Widjaja stated, “Palm oil is a vital industry in achieving a low-carbon economy in Indonesia. It is an engine to generate employment, alleviate poverty and improve the lives and welfare of 16 million Indonesians, directly and indirectly. One of the key areas GAR is committed to helping smallholders to increase yield and productivity. Boosting farmers’ incomes and minimising deforestation improves the entire palm oil industry, making it more sustainable.”

Organised by PT SMART Tbk in partnership with WWF and CIRAD France, ICOPE which is held once every two years, is being organised this year in Bali from 16-18 March.