28/10/2009 (ClimateWire) - A British consortium of companies and environmental groups used to certify sustainable sources of palm oil is divided over the need to control carbon dioxide emissions as part of its standards.

The fissure is threatening to break up the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) within days. Such a divide would have implications for the British government, which is relying on the fuel suppliers to provide additional biofuels, many of which stem from palm oil.

The RSPO was established to enforce standards for palm oil secured from plantation firms in Indonesia and Malaysia. The plantations have resisted recent efforts by RSPO members to include CO2 emissions as part of the body's criteria.

"If this issue is not resolved and greenhouse gas emissions are not included in the standard, then I don't see how the RSPO can continue to act as a certifying body," said Marcus Silvius of Wetlands International.

"It's a crucial moment," he said. "If we don't get agreement on this, then I think a large number of stakeholders will consider withdrawing."

RSPO representatives from the plantations declined to comment. The greenhouse gas demands will be discussed in a meeting this weekend