At the time, international publications frequently highlighted deforestation and wildlife habitat loss linked to plantation expansion. However, Traeholt said such narratives often overlooked significant efforts in Indonesia to improve sustainability practices.

“That label was not entirely fair,” he said. “Many companies, research institutions, and NGOs have made substantial changes, but the positive stories are rarely told.”

According to Traeholt, true sustainability goes beyond administrative compliance with certification schemes such as RSPO and ISPO. Instead, it should focus on real, measurable improvements in ecosystems and community welfare.

Certification, he argued, should move beyond compliance toward ecosystem restoration, ensuring that conservation areas deliver tangible ecological benefits rather than remaining symbolic markers on maps.