Contribution of independent smallholder RSPO certification to village-level SDGs achievements

As the world’s largest palm oil producer, Indonesia has promoted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to assess the impacts of palm oil development. However, various literatures have only covered the conceptual discussion and potential contributions of palm oil development to SDGs, leaving the use of SDGs as an assessment tool underexplored. This research discusses how RSPO’s independent smallholder certification can contribute to SDGs’ achievements at the village level. By interviewing 88 respondents from 34 RSPO-certified smallholder organizations (as members of Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil Smallholder Forum / Fortasbi), RSPO certification shows significant impacts on the SDGs except SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goal). This finding indicates that RSPO can lead to SDGs fulfillment in different ways, either directly as the impacts at the group level simultaneously contribute to village-level SDGs achievements (for SDGs 4, 9, and 10) or indirectly as there are impacts at the group level that do not necessarily affect village-level SDGs achievements (for SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16) and do not cause any impact (SDG 7). This result also reflects the collaboration challenges among stakeholders, especially at the village level.


Introduction
Palm oil's significant contribution to generating international trade surplus causes palm oil to be one of the most notable vegetable oil commodities [1].Malaysia and Indonesia are the biggest palm oil producers, with which Indonesia provided 58.92% of palm oil global production in 2022, and Malaysia provided 24.34% of the global production [2].Additionally, palm oil plantations in Indonesia are predicted to cover 15,380,981 hectares and produce 48,235,405 metric tons of palm oil in the same year [3].
Indonesia's palm oil plantations have created 4.2 million direct and 12 million indirect jobs.There are 2.4 million palm oil smallholders that absorb 4.6 million workers.The average palm oil export since 2019 has reached US$ 21.4 billion annually (14.19% of the total non-oil and gas exports), with Rp 14-20 trillion tax contribution per year or US$ 900 million-1.3 billion [4].In comparison, Malaysia's palm oil plantations in 2021 reached 5.74 million hectares (decreased from 5.87 million hectares in 2020) with 15.47 tons/ha FFB (Fresh Fruit Brunches) production from around 18.12 million hectares of oil 1308 (2024) 012065 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1308/1/012065 2 palm plantation.The palm oil sector in Malaysia contributed RM 108.52 billion or US$ 24.5 billion from its export [5].
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are often submitted as the main arguments of palm oilproducing countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, whenever the countries are accused of damaging the environment by producing palm oil in non-sustainable manners.As the palm oil global market leader since 2018, Indonesia actively advocates the SDGs to be taken as a reference in the palm oil environmental, social, and economic impacts examination.Indonesia has advocated this step in various international oil palm fora, primarily through CPOPC (Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries).CPOPC promotes palm oil as the most efficient oil-producing plant compared to other vegetable oil crops that bring multiple benefits to local economic growth, including development in rural areas [6].By referencing SDGs, palm oil producing countries -led by Indonesia and Malaysia through CPOPCactively demand global palm oil consumers.NGOs view the palm oil sector from a fairer and more holistic perspective.
Although the SDGs are often seen as a comprehensive reference by palm oil-producing countries, the systematic application of SDGs for assessing palm oil impacts still requires fundamental discussions [7,8,9].Several studies have been conducted to view the potential of making SDGs as palm oil impact assessment tools, but most are still limited to discussions for more appropriate applications [10,11].Works of literature regarding palm oil plantations' impacts on the SDGs' realization are still restricted to conceptual discussion and the palm oil sector's possibility to the SDGs [12,13].
Some literature has begun analyzing the RSPO certification.Despite not presenting the relationship between the RSPO certification and SDGs in detail measurements [14], the literature displays the certification's positive impacts on smallholder groups.This finding can confirm RSPO certification's role as an initiator of group-level behavior directed to achieve the SDGs.
To fill the gap in the existing literature, this research article aims to thoroughly discuss the use of SDGs in measuring the impact of RSPO certification to improve palm oil sustainability.Using qualitative methods, this research was conducted on members of the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil Smallholder Forum consisting of local cooperatives and farmers associations, which have carried out RSPO certification.
The research questions raised in this article are: (1) What are the contributions of RSPO certification to achieving SDGs at the group level?(2) How can palm oil sustainability efforts at the group level contribute to achieving SDGs at the village level?This research collects the data through interviews with 88 respondents from 34 smallholder organizations conducted from September to November 2022.The interviewees were managers and members (one female and one male) from smallholder organizations.The smallholder organizations can be cooperatives, associations of farmer groups (Gabungan Kelompok Tani / Gapoktan), or other types of smallholder organizations certified by RSPO.To further understand the context, interviews were conducted with three organizations providing RSPO certification assistance to smallholder organizations.Field surveys were not possible due to limited resources and time, which was then covered by phone interviews through WhatsApp calls and online interviews through Zoom and Google Meet meetings.
The structure of this research article consists of several parts.After this preliminary section, the article will present a literature review and a discussion of the methodology.The following section displays the results of the findings from the survey, followed by a discussion section before the conclusion.

Development of Palm Oil Plantation
Land clearing for palm oil plantations often triggers debate, both in the domestic and global scope.The debate frequently revolved around palm oil plantations' development impacts on environmental aspects, namely air pollution, land grabbing, deforestation, and biodiversity loss [15].A detailed analysis from Meijaard et al. [16] revealed that the impact of oil palm plantations on biodiversity varies depending on the context, such as expansion patterns, land types, species that inhabit expansion areas, and dominant actors in the expansion (industry or small plantations).
Ayompe et al. [17] revealed that literature criticizing oil palm plantations tends to highlight the negative impacts of oil palm plantations.Such negative highlights have led to a negative perception of oil palm products in the national and international markets [18].Later, the negative perception results in more stringent requirements from the market, importing countries, and investors [19,20].In 2020, for example, European countries have targeted that 100% of vegetable oil come from sustainable-certified products, including palm oil [21].
In the increasing concerns over palm oil sustainability, some stakeholders initiated the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), intending to develop a certification system to improve sustainability practices in the palm oil industry [20,22,23,24].The first RSPO certification was issued in 2008 for United Plantations from Malaysia [25,26].According to RSPO Impact Report 2022, there are approximately 4,826,8563 hectares of RSPO-certified palm oil plantations that produced around 14,874,906 tons of palm oil supplies, involving 3,739 companies and 6,433 facilities in 2022 [27].RSPO Impact Report 2022 also revealed that 19% of the global palm oil trade has been certified by RSPO.
There are several criticisms aimed at RSPO.First, despite starting its certification system in 2004, RSPO still leaves gaps for primary forest logging and community rights violations -according to the Malaysian Environmental Investigation Agency and Malaysian NGO Grassroots [28].Second, overlay maps from 78 plantations in Malaysia and 173 plantations in Indonesia certified by RSPO have not eliminated threats for large rare mammals [29].In addition, RSPO, along with other certification approaches, are criticized for their market approach that is: (1) based on the logic of rewards from increasing market access and sales instead of sustainable production and; (2) links more sustainable products with customers' consuming ability [53].Limitations in presenting solutions for smallholders are also mentioned as a fundamental weakness of the certification system (30).Critiques also highlight the ineffectiveness of the RSPO in overcoming land grabbing, as some RSPO-certified plantations are still involved in land conflicts with local communities [31].
Various research displays the positive elements of RSPO as well.Certified companies' plantations, ahead of smallholders' plantations, have significantly reduced carbon emissions [32].RSPO has also positively impacted increasing CPO's export values [33] and improving financial performance by around 10% [22].Meanwhile, RSPO has impacted smallholders in terms of increased income, increased production, recognition of local and customary communities' rights [19,[34][35][36], increased awareness of smallholders to health aspects like the hazards involved in using pesticides [37], increasing opportunities to get international funding, and strengthen social ties in society [38,39].Another impact of the RSPO on smallholders is the participation of smallholder certification in activities to improve business as well as training to improve social and human capital, BMP (better management), and protection of nature through HCV (high conservation values) [34].In addition to these things, palm oil certificationsincluding from RSPO -must be more directed to improving social aspects, not just highlighting matters related to environmental aspects [17].

SDGs and Rural Development
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global commitment adopted in 2015 to improve poverty alleviation and make the world a better place to live in 2030 through pursuing sustainable economic development and its positive impacts on social and environmental development (40,41).In SDGs, every country shares the same role and responsibilities to achieve the goals (41).There are 17 SDGs, further explained in Figure 1.
Rural communities become the objective of SDGs as they face low life expectancy [43].Reducing rural poverty requires a multidimensional approach by considering the influence of society and mindset that can cause social deprivation and exclusion, which considers agriculture the main livelihood for twothirds of the rural population and focuses on promoting human development for inclusive development [44].Bidarbakhtnia [7] proposed prioritization of SDGs to ensure proper observation of disadvantaged communities by underlining the determination of specific value targets, standardization, benchmarking, and aggregation at the indicator level and country areas.In addition, Bosc [45] reminded us that prioritization might include factors like vulnerable local food systems, especially in dealing with climate and weather-related events, marginalization of women, youth unemployment, and conflicts over rare natural resources.Allocating social, economic, and legal benefits related to productive assets like lands is crucial to ensure SDGs' achievement progress [46].
There are several proposals to measure the performance of SDGs.Miola & Schiltz [10] compared the three most prominent methods of such measurement, namely simple mean measurements (simple mean), distance measurement (distance measure), and measurement of progress (progress measure).Differences in measurements approach will significantly impact SDGs' realization's ranking and evaluation system.It is important to note that the appropriateness of each method will depend on context, but using only one method will not be sufficient to observe all SDG targets.
Based on the review of around 3000 articles from 2016-2021, Biermann et al. [9] identified the political impacts of SDGs can be seen from the dynamics of discourse (changes in national and global debate), norms (changes in legislative and policy frameworks), and institutions.However, the political transformation of SDGs that happened up to this point is considered limited because it occurs more in the realm of discourse without bringing significant changes in norms and institutions.This could apply in the rural context as well.

RSPO Certification Contribution to SDGs Achievement
RSPO certification becomes a framework for improving the sustainability of palm oil plantations on economic, social, and environmental aspects.RSPO itself has developed a roadmap that can be seen in Figure 2. The figure above shows that making sustainable palm oil a norm is based on creating resilient and healthy communities and landscapes and green and inclusive growth.The emergence of a sustainable palm oil market will encourage long-term achievements in landscape management, equality and harmony, inclusiveness, and the ability to voice to ensure the creation of good impacts for people, prosperity, and the planet.These achievements were built at the market level and palm oil producers through standardization and benchmarking innovation strategies, improving credibility, developing participatory and jurisdiction approaches, involvement of various supporting sectors, and balancing demand and supply of certified sustainable palm oil.In the medium term, this strategy is expected to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, protect ecosystems, increase productivity, reduce risk to nature and the community, develop incentives, increase transparency in sectors, and clear distinctions with nonsustainable products.
Despite RSPO being the most studied certification system, the existing literature only emphasizes analyzing socioeconomic issues and legal and procedural aspects [54].The performance measurement of RSPO adheres to the principles and criteria of RSPO represented by "3Ps" (planets, people, and prosperity), which is reinforced by business units' legality and transparency aspects.The RSPO principle and criteria underline concepts of high conservation values (HCV) and free prior and informed consent (FPIC) to ensure the continuity of transfer of rights from the community (including indigenous peoples) and the New Planting Procedure (NPP).Considering palm oil smallholders' large number and role, RSPO develops specific smallholders' principles and criteria.
RSPO's primary objective to improve sustainability overlaps to some extent with the SDGs.The impacts of the palm oil sector on SDGs are discussed in several literatures.Chiriacò et al. (2022), having conducted in-depth reviews of 82 pieces of literature published in 2010, highlighted palm oil production's social and economic impacts.The analysis was carried out on 8 SDGs that are considered the closest goals to the social and economic aspects of palm oil plantations, namely SDGs 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and wellbeing), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 8 (human rights and inequality), and 10 (reduced inequalities).These social and economic impacts can be positive, negative, neutral or varied, and even contradictory.
Furthermore, Hasan & Hidayat [47] observed that the Indonesian palm sector could achieve SDGs 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, and 13 (climate action).Purba [48] observed that the Indonesian government's replanting policy and setting milestones for SDGs, including in the palm oil sector, will make the country more capable of supporting SDGs.However, an important role is expected for policy support, mainly through Presidential Instruction No. 8/2018.Another article written by Sukiyono et al. [49] observed that the SDGs indicators developed by the Indonesian government contain 13 points and 47 indicators suitable for smallholder plantations, where smallholders can contribute to social pillars at SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (affordable and clean energy); the economic pillar at SDGs 7, 8, 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), 10 and 17 (partnerships for the goals), as well as; the environment pillar at SDGs 6, 13 and 15 (life on land).By seeing the gender aspect of palm oil plantation activities (SDG 5), Mardiharini et al. [50] later found that most women are involved in doing clerical work and supporting their spouses to earn higher incomes -although women are increasingly taking leadership roles in some smallholder groups.
In comparison to the Malaysian context, Naidu and Moorthy [51] showed that the palm oil industry is still able to support the achievement of SDGs such as alleviating hunger (SDG 2), improving health (SDG 3), developing renewable energy (SDG 7), and sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12).Hanafiah et al. [52] analyzed that the palm oil industry in Malaysia is considered to bring benefits to achieving economic growth (shown in SDGs 9 and 12), poverty alleviation (SDGs 1, 8, and 10), increased food security (SDGS 2), alternative energy (SDG 9), and enhanced opportunities for work (SDG 1).However, there are some issues in human rights and inequality (SDG 8), greenhouse gas emissions (SDG 13), microclimate and soil nutrient changes (SDGs 6 and 13), sedimentation and hydrological changes (SDG 6), and human conflict with wildlife, invasive species, and reduced biodiversity (SDGs 14 and 15).
Specifically related to the RSPO, a study from Copenhagen Business School [14] found that there are 89 keyword matches between SDGs and RSPO, where RSPO has the most significant potential to support SDG 15 (management of terrestrial ecosystems), SDG 2 (alleviation of hunger), and SDG 16 (peaceful, just, and strong institutions).The RSPO's contribution is minimal for SDG 13 (managing climate impacts), SDG 14 (managing marine and coastal ecosystems), and SDG 17 (partnerships).

Methodology
This research is based on qualitative methodology.The data is collected through semi-structured interviews, which use a combination of structured and unstructured interviews.Structured interviews were conducted using a questionnaire prepared with a list of questions designed to explore perceptions regarding the achievements of the 17 SDGs that also contained several open-ended questions for further analysis of the issues.Respondents were selected through stratified sampling from independent smallholder groups of the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil Smallholder Forum (Forum Petani Kelapa Sawit Berkelanjutan / Fortasbi).
The interviews were conducted with three respondents: one from top management, one male member, and one female member.Respondents' limitations include limited resources, time, and scope for this research.Additionally, there were interviews with several respondents from organizations facilitating the smallholders, both from NGOs and companies.The results of this interview were then analyzed by looking at the proportion of answers given by respondents and then were displayed as bar charts and pie charts.Next, the analysis was conducted by examining specific cases related to the goals of the SDGs.Further analysis was done to explore the impacts of the groups on the villages by analyzing the perception of respondents to the ways they can contribute to SDG's achievements.

Social, Economic, and Economic Pillars
Discussions regarding how RSPO certification contributes to SDGs will be divided into 4 (four) development pillars the social, economic, environmental, legal, and governance development.Out of 17 SDGs, this discussion excludes two goals (SDGs 14 and 17) because these goals lack relevance to RSPO certification for smallholders at the village level.

Social Development Pillar (SDGs 1,2,3,4 and 5)
The social development pillar consists of SDGs 1 (no poverty), 2 (alleviating hunger), 3 (improving health), 4 (quality education), and 5 (gender equality).SDG 1 refers to poverty beyond income, which covers poverty in a multidimensional framework that includes the vulnerability of communities and individuals to become poor and the fulfillment of fundamental rights and recognition for people to live in dignity.The graph below displays that smallholders have experienced an increase in income after certification.The interviews revealed no respondents with below 1 million rupiahs income, and there was an increase in respondents who earned above 5 million rupiahs.From this finding, the RSPO certification program increases income and learning abilities.In some ways, this increase in income and spending ability is related to increased financial income and consumption.Related to SDG 2, many factors might cause hunger, like poverty, politics, and government instability, overexploitation of the environment, marginalization of vulnerable people like children, women, and older people, shortage of food assistance, rising food prices, declining real incomes and high levels of unemployment.In surveying SDG 2, several variables were used: food expenses and types of plants/animals raised and consumed by the respondents.
The graphs below show no significant change in the expenditure for food needs incurred by the respondents.Based on the collected data, most respondents claim that their food spending ranges from Rp. 1,000,000 to Rp. 3,000,000, which is an ideal expenditure for household standards in Indonesia.Meanwhile, in the context of the types of plants and animals kept and consumed by the respondents, most respondents felt that they either could not grow non-oil palm crops (73.9%) or breed livestock (63.6%) post-certification.(1) increased awareness about the need for better health facilities, or (2) respondents experienced an increased financial ability to access complete treatment.Additionally, 62.5% of respondents have insurance with the JKN-KIS type.Based on stories from various respondents, the RSPO certification requires each group to have insurance to be able to do the certification, causing them to register for JKN-KIS, causing an increase in the number of respondents who have insurance to 87.5% post-certification.
SDG 4 is about quality education that ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes universal learning opportunities for the entire life.In principle, education is critical in supporting human life as a bridge to better expertise in technology, organization, economic management, and sociocultural management.Based on the survey, the smallholders made significant progress in providing schooling opportunities for children (79.55%) and increasing the level of education for children (77.27%).SDG 5 is about gender equality, where men and women should be equal to fulfill their rights and obligations.Gender inequality is still an issue in many aspects of life worldwide, where opportunity and control over resources, the economy, power, and political participation issues are ubiquitous.Adult women and young girls bear the brunt of the resulting inequality.Some of the variables used in this study are wages, involvement in group activities, as well as prevention of potential acts of sexual harassment.Based on the survey results that have been conducted, it appears that almost all respondents claim that women's groups are not differentiated from men's groups, both in terms of income (77.27%)and access to involvement in the group (100%).Apart from that, groups also own rules related to acts of sexual violence (90.9%) and provide access to a safe space for the prevention of acts of sexual violence against women (87.5%).The survey results can be shown in the following graph.The economic development pillar consists of SDGs 7 (clean and affordable energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and 10 (reduced inequalities).SDG 7 is about clean and affordable energy.Energy can become a determining factor for economic growth and social welfare, where energy supplies must keep increasing in line with population growth.However, as energy resources are limited, finding and using alternative, more sustainable energy becomes necessary.Most respondents in this research already have access to PLN electricity for lighting and gas for cooking.Electricity becomes a source of lighting for 97.73% of the gardener households, and gas (both 3 kg gas cylinders for 64.8% of all gardener families and 12 kg gas cylinders for 30.7% of all gardener families) becomes a source of fuel commonly used for cooking.This finding shows that most of the smallholders who have carried out the RSPO certification are in a sufficiently stable economic condition that enables them to access electricity and gas.SDG 9 is related to infrastructure and innovation.Investment in infrastructure and innovation is an essential driver of economic growth and development.This can be achieved through improving the availability and quality of local infrastructure, energy sources, and communications technologies on the one hand and making these technologies available to everyone, including marginalized groups, on the other hand.The achievement of SDG 9 can be identified through variables regarding breakthroughs in applying GAP in oil palm cultivation, as well as easy access to agricultural and capital facilities.
As many as 72.73% of the smallholders stated they had more accessible access to agricultural facilities after completing the certification.The ease of access to agricultural facilities has something to do with their being in groups, making it easier to obtain agricultural inputs together.Meanwhile, 63.64% of smallholders stated that they had easy access to capital from banks, and there was an increase of 75% from conditions before certification for smallholders to access capital from banks.SDG 10 is about reducing inequality.Inequality is a global problem that requires a solution that involves improving regulations, market monitoring, and financial institutions.In this study, three variables are measured for reducing inequality: the number of poor people, policies that guarantee equality between group members, and opening opportunities for all people regardless of gender or social group.Based on the interviews conducted, the respondents claimed that the number of poor people in the village had decreased since certification (68.18%), which increased the standard of living for many  The environmental development pillar consists of SDGs 6 (clean water and sanitation), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action), and 15 (life on land).SDG 6 discusses access to drinking water, proper sanitation, water quality, waste treatment and utilization, management, and preservation of water resources.The vital role of water in everyday life is not only limited to fulfilling basic needs but also irrigation needs for agricultural areas to support water and food security.Clean water and proper sanitation are observed in several variables, namely, the availability of water sources and the change of water sources before and after certification.The availability of clean water is also vital to prevent chemical contamination from exposure to garden maintenance.A typical example is pesticide exposure due to not washing hands or body cleanly after spraying gardens with pesticides, so harmful chemicals from pesticides can enter the food chain.In line with that, RSPO makes it mandatory for groups that have been certified to have cleaning facilities so workers can use them after spraying.Out of the 88 respondents, there were around 65.9% of respondents who already had cleaning facilities in their group.
SDG 11 is about sustainable urban life.The estimation is that by 2050, more world's population will live in cities (up to 70% of the entire population), which requires cities to become places for a sustainable future.This research found that the RSPO certification had an impact on access to transportation, distribution, production, and general life in the village (70.45%), as well as an influence on favorable village-urban relations (63.64%).SDG 13 deals with climate change, which relates to increasing average global surface temperatures, extreme weather incidents, rain level unpredictability, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification.RSPO certification is expected to contribute to the decarbonization of agriculture practices and improve energy efficiency along the supply chains, together with products, services, and production processes' carbon footprint reduction.In addition, certification needs to set ambitious emission reduction targets and increase investment in innovative products and services for lower carbon footprint and improving operations, supply chains, and the community reliance for facing climate change.This research uses two variables to measure the achievement of SDG 13, which are awareness and prudence in preventing and dealing with potential forest and land fires, as well as sustainable agriculture implementation that is expected to be more climate-friendly.Respondents displayed group awareness of caution in using fire in plantations (95.45%) and the increased use of organic fertilizers in palm oil cultivation (87.5%).SDG 15 is about protecting forests and other ecosystems.In this case, sustainable land management is the key to maintaining the use of natural resources for current and future generations.In addition, this action can also provide conditions for growth and prosperity in the long term.SDG 15 seeks to guarantee that terrestrial ecosystems like forests, swamps, land, and mountains will be managed sustainably.Based on existing survey data, certification provides knowledge to respondents not to cut trees/forests anymore (84.09%), and there are efforts to protect animals in protected areas (79.55%).In addition, several respondents claimed that after certification, they had established groups of smallholders concerned with conservation (63.64%).

Law and Governance Development Pillars (SDG 16)
The pillars of law and governance development relate to SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).People need to live in peace with effective institutions to ensure the predictability of burdens, whereas there is a stable work environment.The unsuccessful adoption of responsible organizational practices might result in financial, legal, and reputational costs and risks.Additionally, exacerbating societal tensions and instability and undermining the rule of law may burden the community.In the context of the RSPO certification's impact on the achievement of SDG 16, the group of respondents with

Certification Period
Based on the results of interviews with 31 groups that have been RSPO certified, we found two different conditions experienced by smallholders who have been practicing RSPO for less than one year and those who have been practicing RSPO certificates for 2-5 years.

RSPO Certified Under 1 Year
More than 50% of the respondents we interviewed claimed they had recently completed RSPO certification within less than one year.Participating in the certification program causes them not to experience significant benefits, such as increased agricultural yields or financial income from cultivation.However, the respondents still have access to other direct benefits, namely training and access to qualified agricultural production breakfasts, financial assistance through bank loans, and various health services.The ease of obtaining access is, in several ways, influenced by the condition of the respondents, who are now members of formal organizations.The advantage of joining a formal organization is that the organization has good record-keeping and data management, thereby increasing the confidence of other parties in establishing a cooperative relationship.This is important because of the weak organization of smallholders in Indonesia.Increasing the organization of smallholdersalthough still in its early stages -is often welcomed by various groups, including the government and the private sector.

RSPO Certified between 2-5 Years
Smallholders who have been certified for longer than 2-5 years can easily demonstrate the various benefits of having RSPO certification.The most visible benefit shown by the smallholders is improved skills of better management practices among independent smallholders in using fertilizer, harvesting, and selecting seeds.
Smallholders also enjoy RSPO Credit as an incentive from the RSPO system for rewarding groups showing commitment to more sustainable practices.Smallholder organizations can trade RSPO Credits to companies buying their FFBs.Apart from the mutually agreed provision for the sale and purchase of FFB, Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) buyers can provide funds with a calculation agreed upon in the RSPO Credit platform to be given to the group of certified smallholders who sell to them.RSPO Credit provides an additional source of income for certified smallholder organizations.
RSPO certification can also increase knowledge of the agronomy of palm oil plantations and increase social capital.Better agricultural practices become a main non-financial benefit of RSPO certification, where the smallholder groups can access certified palm oil platforms (e.g., PalmTrace).Other nonfinancial benefits are social recognition from other stakeholders, which are not only the value chain actors but also those from governments starting from the village to the national level and figures in the community.

Perception of RSPO Certification Impacts on Village-Level SDGs
In the broader social life of the community, a group of smallholders is not just a group that works and exists independently.A group of smallholders is part of an administrative unit and a social unit within a village.Inwardly, the achievements of the certification are felt by the members.But outside the group, changes in practices and behavior at the group level impact the larger social group at the village level.
Observation of the impact of RSPO certification on the SDG's contribution at the village level is carried out by looking at the potential impact of what is done at the group level to the village level.The indicator used is the proportion of plantations and their families to the total population of villagers.The data collected shows that palm oil smallholders constitute a significant part of the population at the village level.The large proportion of the population that becomes palm oil smallholders relates to the fact that palm oil plantations are the primary source of livelihood for many villages in many parts of Indonesia, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan, where the groups are interviewed.
Based on this possible influence, an analysis of the observed impact of RSPO certification is then carried out.From the results of this research study, the impact felt by the village on the existence of RSPO certification was divided into direct, indirect, and no impact.
• The community feels the direct impacts, both cooperative/association members and non-members.This impact is felt directly at the village level, not just at the group level.
• The indirect impacts are only felt by members of cooperatives/associations that are part of the village community.However, this impact was also felt by the entire village community, not limited to the group's scope.Limited aspects are felt individually and do not extend to the next social strata.
• Some impacts are not observed, as the impacts come from government/private sector actions before RSPO certification.
The respondents mention that on each SDGs, the impacts can be direct or indirect, as discussed in the interviews with 34 groups in the table below.

SDG
Impact to Village SDG 1: No poverty Twenty-two groups thought that RSPO certification had an indirect impact on reducing poverty in their village.This is due to an increase in net income felt by group members.Therefore, indications of poverty reduction at the group level indirectly impact poverty reduction at the village level.SDG 2: No hunger Twenty-two groups felt that RSPO certification indirectly impacted reducing hunger in their village.The indication is an increase in food expenditure and the opportunity to develop non-palm oil/livestock farming activities only experienced by group members.Therefore, indications of a reduction in hunger at the group level indirectly impact reducing hunger at the village level.SDG 3: Healthy life and wellbeing Twenty-four groups felt RSPO certification indirectly impacted creating a healthy and prosperous life in their village.This impact is felt by increasing access to health facilities and insurance services that are only felt by group members.Therefore, indications of an increase in healthy and prosperous life at the group level indirectly impact creating healthy and prosperous life at the village level.SDG 4: Quality education Twenty-nine groups felt the direct impact of RSPO certification on the availability and access to quality education in their villages.The impact on quality education is through the addition of educational facilities at the village level, the emergence of opportunities for their children to go to school and continue their education to a higher level, and access to the same skills.Therefore, indications of a contribution to quality education at the group level directly impact improving quality education at the village level.SDG 5: Gender equality All groups felt that RSPO certification had an indirect impact on creating gender equality in their village through the existence of new knowledge regarding gender equality.Gender equality is shown by the development of group regulations related to acts of violence and sexual harassment in groups.Therefore, gender equality at the group level directly impacts increasing gender equality at the village level.SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation Thirty groups felt that RSPO certification had not impacted SDGS 6 in their village because, before certification, the community could access water sources such as healthy water and municipal water system.Therefore, improvements in clean water access and better sanitation at the group level happen, but not ensuring the same achievement happens at the village level.SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy All groups felt that RSPO certification did not impact SDG 7 in their village because, before certification, the community had already received electricity from PLN.Therefore, there is no indication of impact in providing clean and affordable energy among group members and in their village.SDG 8: Sustainable economic growth and decent work All groups felt that RSPO certification indirectly impacted the availability of decent jobs and economic growth in their villages through more insider training or assistance to develop agricultural productivity for group members.Therefore, indications of appropriate employment and sustainable economic growth observed at the group level do not fully correlate with similar changes at the village level.SDG 9: Resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and innovation.
Thirty-two groups felt RSPO certification directly impacted their village's industry, innovation, and infrastructure.This impact is felt through increased infrastructure in the form of public facilities/social facilities that the whole community can feel.In addition, the improvement of road infrastructure was felt by all respondents.Therefore, the indication that industrialization, innovation, and infrastructure happened at the group level does not automatically show improvements in industry, innovation, and infrastructure at the village level.SDG 10: Reduced inequality Twenty-nine groups felt that RSPO certification directly impacted reducing inequality in their village.This reduction in inequality is felt through the reduction of poor people in their villages, the opening of job opportunities, the existence of policies to ensure equality, and the provision of income for empowerment activities carried out by group members.Therefore, indications of a reduction in inequality at the group level directly impact reducing inequality at the village level.SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities Thirty-three groups felt that RSPO certification indirectly impacted improving settlements in their villages.Perceived indications are increasing decent settlements and reducing slum areas around their village area.In addition, there are also influences on the transportation system, road conditions, access to production activities, distribution, and general life in the village, as well as mutually beneficial village-urban relationships.Therefore, indications of an increase in settlements at the group level indirectly impact an increase in settlements at the village level.SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production All groups feel that RSPO certification has an indirect impact on creating sustainable production in their village.This increase in sustainable production occurs through applying BMP/GAP, reducing and managing nonenvironmentally friendly chemicals, collaborating with companies around the village area, and awareness to manage plantations sustainably, which is only felt by group members.Therefore, indications of sustainable production at the group level indirectly impact the village level.SDG 13: Climate action All groups feel that RSPO certification has an indirect impact on tackling climate change in their village through the establishment of MPA, the existence of fire extinguishers, awareness of the use of fire in plantations, reduction of pesticides/herbicides, use of organic fertilizers, and awareness not to open gardens on peat lands by group members.Therefore, indications of an increase in handling climate change at the group level indirectly impact handling climate change at the village level.SDG 15: Life on land All groups feel that RSPO certification indirectly impacts SDG 15 in their village through efforts to protect wild animals and the establishment of a group of conservation-minded smallholders carried out by group members.Therefore, indications of the protection of terrestrial ecosystems at the group level indirectly impact the protection of terrestrial ecosystems at the village level.SDG 16: Peaceful and inclusive societies All groups observed that RSPO certification had indirectly impacted SDG 16 in their village through establishing conflict resolution institutions, providing conflict resolution training, and involving women in plantation and group activities.Therefore, indications of activities for peace, justice, and resilient institutions at the group level indirectly impact creating peace, justice, and resilient institutions at the village level.
The above findings show that the practical improvements from implementing RSPO principles and criteria are largely still within the group's borders.Two factors contributed to this situation.First, the group implements practical improvements that are limited to their members.The larger village community needs time to learn, be convinced, and follow the practices as requested by RSPO principles and criteria.This situation challenges the RSPO, the members, and the certified smallholders to convince the bigger community of the benefits of implementing RSPO certification.
Second, some impacts have happened without the presence of RSPO certification, which resulted from the development program at the village level by the government.The Government of Indonesia, in recent years, performed intensive infrastructure development and gave greater attention to development at the village level.This does not have to be a discouragement for RSPO to make an impact on the community.At a higher level, there is a challenge to integrate the intervention of RSPO into other development interventions from various stakeholders.

Discussion
RSPO certification contributes to the achievement of SDGs at the group and village levels.These contributions are various for each SDGs, where this research identifies the direct, indirect, or no impacts brought by RSPO certification to the achievement of SDGs at the village level based on the perception of the representatives of smallholder groups.Smallholder respondents perceive the direct impacts of SDGs 4, 9, and 10.The perceived impacts related to these SDGs are increasing school opportunities and levels of education among children, easier access to agricultural inputs, financial access -stimulating innovations in palm oil cultivation through better management practices, and inequality reduction both at group and village levels as they observed the decrease of numbers of poor and increase of policies addressed welfare issues.
Respondent smallholders perceive the indirect impacts of SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16.These indirect impacts were perceived by respondent smallholders that happened limitedly at the group level.In SDG 1, respondents perceived that there are increasing numbers of people receiving higher income when there is not anyone left in the lowest income group, while in SDG 2, respondents can spend more on food expenses.In SDG 3, more group members can now access more complete health facilities.SDG 5 can be felt with the development of rules related to sexual violence and harassment at the group level, while group members can experience SDG 6 through access to better water quality, and SDG 8 is experienced with the attention to occupational health and safety and training opportunities.The respondents also perceived that RSPO certification has impacts on their groups but are not sure whether the same impacts happened at the village level for SDG 11 with the improvements in housing and infrastructure and urban-rural connectivity; SDG 12 with the application of best management practices (BMP), reduction and better management of chemical inputs, and awareness to manage plantations sustainably; SDG 13 in the establishment of a fire concerned community groups, the existence of fire extinguishers, awareness of the use of fire in plantations, reduction of pesticides/herbicides, use of organic fertilizers, and awareness not to open cultivations on peatlands by group members; SDG 15 with efforts to protect wild animals and the establishment of a group of conservation-minded planters carried out by group members, and; SDG 16 with the establishment of conflict resolution mechanism and conflict resolution training.
Respondents perceived no impacts from RSPO certification to SDGs achievements at SDG 7 as the community had already received electricity from PLN (state electricity company), whereas there are not any renewable energy initiatives developed.SDG 14 and SDG 17 are not surveyed with the assumption that these SDGs are irrelevant to palm oil smallholders.
The results above are based on the perception of smallholders to RSPO certification.Beyond simply showing the benefits of certification, the results show the vital role of smallholders in joining groups.Groups can have a role in gathering smallholders to access capacity-building programs through capacity building.The existence of groups also helps smallholders to increase access to markets by aggregating FFB sales.On the other hand, groups also open up greater possibilities for collaborating with other parties.Other parties, such as the plantation service at the district level, are assisted by groups of smallholders to distribute their programs.It is also easier for providers of agricultural production facilities to carry out transactions in large quantities with more competitive volumes and prices.Palm oil processing factories also carry out transactions more easily because, apart from the traceability of FFB from smallholder groups, it is clearer and enable smallholders to provide sufficient volumes of FFB.Parties that also find it easier to carry out transactions with smallholders who have good organization and records are financial institutions, both banks, and cooperatives.Simultaneously, with more open access to financial institutions, smallholders can have more significant opportunities to access funding programs launched by the government.
Respondents stated that they experienced impacts at the group level.However, what has been done at the group level does not necessarily translate into changes in behavior at the village level.The information from the surveys conducted for this study is insufficient to prove impacts at the village level.The effect of impacts at the group level on impacts at the village level requires further research.Achieving impacts at the village level requires that the behavior changes in the group will be disseminated to the village level.This situation shows that achieving SDGs needs a joint effort of various stakeholders at the village level.
Apart from the contribution of certification, which can be directly identified, several contributions can be understood in the specific context of the smallholders and their groups.For instance, RSPO certification contributes to SDG 9 in the context of smallholders in the agricultural sector with innovation breakthroughs, access to agricultural production facilities, and access to capital.Meanwhile, the contribution to SDG 11 was observed by respondents in their village, namely the improvement of settlements and transportation facilities.Improved transportation facilities will, in turn, support ruralurban connectivity, which can help increase the welfare of smallholders in managing their plantation business through access to markets for agricultural production facilities and the sale of FFB.Furthermore, increased connectivity helps improve family welfare through access to education and health facilities unavailable in rural areas.
The longer the certification lasts, the more impact smallholder groups feel.However, the impact was quite pronounced with organizational improvements, record-keeping, and management for the group that had just obtained certification.This is related to the condition of the smallholders beginning to experience ease in obtaining access.In some ways, this is influenced by the condition of the respondents, who are now members of a formal organization.The advantage of joining a formal organization is that the organization has good record-keeping and data management, thereby increasing the confidence of other parties in establishing a cooperative relationship that is important to empower the weak organization of farmers in Indonesia.Increasing farmer organizations -although still in its early stages -is often welcomed by various groups, including the government and the private sector.For smallholders who have been certified for a long time, the most tangible benefit is the RSPO Credit is an appreciation from the market for improving the governance they carry out in managing palm oil plantations.

Conclusion
Assessing the contribution of the palm oil sector to SDGSs' achievements can bridge the debate between a positive view of the roles of the palm oil sector in Indonesia's national development and the scrutiny of its social and environmental impacts.RSPO certification impacts the achievement of SDGs at the village level in the following aspects: (1) increasing smallholders' income; (2) improving food expenditure at the level of household standards in Indonesia; (3) increasing health facilities and health insurance that can be accessed by smallholders; (4) providing equal access and opportunity to improve skills for men and women; (5) increasing equality in the distribution of roles for men and women, and protecting women from sexual violence; (6) increasing access to clean water and availability of clean water; (7) increasing understanding of smallholders on the importance of work safety and adequate working time; (8) increasing ease of access for agricultural production facilities and capital; (9) reducing level of economic inequality at village level; (10) increasing public awareness of sustainable farming practices; (11) increasing awareness for protection of natural resources; and (12) increasing awareness of smallholders for conflict resolution.These contributions can be made directly or indirectly.Direct impacts ensure that behavior changes at the group level are directly felt at the village level.Indirect impacts are most felt merely at the group level but not necessarily leading to changes at the village level.There are also impacts at the group level that does not influence village-level achievements as these impacts are limited to the individual level or already happen from various development interventions at the village level.
This research has several limitations.The first limitation is the limited scope of information, as the research relied on online interviews that were decided due to limited time and financial resources.Second, respondents were mainly from groups, as the researchers had no opportunity to reach the government and other stakeholders at the village level.Third, observations focused on groups with minimum information generated about the village.Fourth, observation relies on the perception of the respondents that were from the group.The future agenda of this research needs more data collection at the village and other stakeholders locally.

Figure 4 .
Figure 4. SDG 2 Impacts SDG 3 refers to good health and wellness for all people of all ages, which targets actions in ensuring community nutrition, national health system, health and reproduction access, family planning, sanitation and clean water are provided to the community.The government arranged a national program called the Healthy Indonesia Program in Indonesia.The Healthy Indonesia Program covers healthy paradigms, health services, and national health insurance.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. SDG 3 ImpactsThe graph above indicates that most of the respondents experienced a transition from those who previously accessed the Polindes (Pondok Bersalin Desa / Village Maternity Hut) (35.22%) later switched to the Puskesmas (Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat / Community Health Center) (48.86%) or the hospital (32.95%).Two factors may influence the switch: (1) increased awareness about the need for better health facilities, or (2) respondents experienced an increased financial ability to access complete treatment.Additionally, 62.5% of respondents have insurance with the JKN-KIS type.Based on stories from various respondents, the RSPO certification requires each group to have insurance to be able to do the certification, causing them to register for JKN-KIS, causing an increase in the number of respondents who have insurance to 87.5% post-certification.

10 Figure 8 .
Figure 8. SDG 5 Impacts on Sexual Harassment 4.1.2Economic Development Pillars(7,8,9, and 10)   The economic development pillar consists of SDGs 7 (clean and affordable energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and 10 (reduced inequalities).SDG 7 is about clean and affordable energy.Energy can become a determining factor for economic growth and social welfare, where energy supplies must keep increasing in line with population growth.However, as energy resources are limited, finding and using alternative, more sustainable energy becomes necessary.Most respondents in this research already have access to PLN electricity for lighting and gas for cooking.Electricity becomes a source of lighting for 97.73% of the gardener households, and gas (both 3 kg gas cylinders for 64.8% of all gardener families and 12 kg gas cylinders for 30.7% of all gardener families) becomes a source of fuel commonly used for cooking.This finding shows that most of the smallholders who have carried out the RSPO certification are in a sufficiently stable economic condition that enables them to access electricity and gas.

Figure 9 .
Figure 9. SDG 7 Impact SDG 8 highlights the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth by acknowledging the role of productive employment opportunities and the availability of decent work for all.At the international level, Indonesia has shown a solid commitment to ensuring decent work by creating employment and paying attention to workforce issues.In ensuring decent work and economic growth, RSPO certification covers three aspects: the availability of work safety SOPs, provisions regarding the length of work in one day, and member training.SOP for work safety is an obligation of RSPO certification, wherein respondents understand

Figure 12 .
Figure 12.SDG 10 Impacts4.1.3Environmental DevelopmentPillars (6,11,12,13,and 15) The environmental development pillar consists of SDGs 6 (clean water and sanitation), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action), and 15 (life on land).SDG 6 discusses access to drinking water, proper sanitation, water quality, waste treatment and utilization, management, and preservation of water resources.The vital role of water in everyday life is not only limited to fulfilling basic needs but also irrigation needs for agricultural areas to support water and food security.Clean water and proper sanitation are observed in several variables, namely, the availability of water sources and the change of water sources before and after certification.

Figure 14 .
Figure 14.SDG 11 ImpactSDG 12 relates to sustainable production and consumption.Sustainable consumption has become necessary, where sustainable lifestyles and ecological footprint reduction must guarantee the regeneration of natural resources and the cohabitation of humans and biodiversity.The variables used in viewing the achievements of SDG 12 are the application of good agriculture practice (GAP)/best management practice (BMP) and awareness of managing gardens sustainably.The majority of respondents (96.59%) have implemented GAP.In addition, respondents' awareness increased in sustainably managing gardens (96.59%).