palm oil deforestation

Palm Oil Deforestation Is Getting Worse, Here’s What Needs to Happen

Jane Marsh - October 31, 2024

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Palm oil deforestation is rapidly transforming the world’s landscapes, destroying vital ecosystems and threatening countless species. As vast swathes of tropical forests make way for oil palm plantations, the consequences extend far beyond the loss of trees. 

Explore the complexities of palm oil production, its dire environmental consequences and what needs to happen soon to mitigate complete catastrophe. 

How Does Palm Oil Production Contribute to Deforestation?

From food items to cosmetics and cleaning agents, extract from the delectable oil palm fruit is a remarkably versatile ingredient in countless everyday products. However, this booming demand comes at a significant cost. 

Palm oil cultivation is a leading cause of deforestation, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, which together produce approximately 88% of global supply. One of the primary drivers is the conversion of pristine forests into agricultural land using slash-and-burn techniques. 

Over the last few decades, oil palm plantations have expanded dramatically, leveling acre upon acre of trees worldwide. According to a 2022 study, production has destroyed about one-third of Indonesia’s old-growth forests, minus the impacts from other aspects like ecological degradation and air pollution. 

Sustained Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Palm oil deforestation contributes significantly to global climate change. Trees naturally absorb and store CO2 during photosynthesis. This critical function is why tropical forests are popularly called the Earth’s lungs. 

Cutting down and burning trees to make room for more palm oil production releases the sequestered CO2 into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. The World Resources Institute estimates worldwide forest loss emitted 2.4 gigatonnes of CO2 in 2023, nearly half the U.S. total fossil fuel emissions. 

On a broader scale, deforestation accounts for roughly 12%-20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The rapid loss of trees reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb emissions in the future, with potentially dire environmental consequences. 

Accelerated Biodiversity Loss

Habitat devastation due to palm oil expansion is alarming, especially across Southeast Asia, where production is highest. The region is home to more than 15,000 endemic plant and animal species — many of which are endangered, such as the orangutan, Sumatran tiger and Bornean pygmy elephant. The destruction of their habitat threatens their survival and disrupts entire ecosystems. 

Soil Erosion

Palm oil cultivation drives soil erosion by removing vital vegetation and altering land surfaces. When producers clear forests to make way for plantations, the protective cover of trees and underbrush disappears, leaving the soil exposed to the elements. As a result, rainfall increases runoff, washing away the topsoil essential for maintaining fertility. 

The heavy machinery used in farming further compacts the soil, reducing its capacity to absorb water and making it more vulnerable to erosion. Over time, these factors degrade land quality, reducing agricultural productivity and perpetuating a cycle of environmental decline.

Socio-Economic Impacts 

Palm oil deforestation also directly impacts human populations. Indigenous communities are often displaced to make way for plantations, leading to conflicts over land rights and resources. This issue significantly affects their livelihoods, contributing to social unrest and economic inequality in the region.

5 Things Must Happen to Mitigate Palm Oil Deforestation 

Mitigating palm oil’s effects on the environment requires a multifaceted approach. The following strategies present a practical starting point for long-term change and sustainable production. 

1. Increased Afforestation 

Planting trees in areas that were not previously forested can help counteract the environmental degradation caused by palm oil cultivation. In addition to offsetting land loss, afforestation is crucial to restoring a region’s biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife and ecosystems to thrive.

Creating new forested areas can also dent the climate crisis, improving CO2 sequestration by as much as 25%, depending on the trees planted. The focus must be on native species well-suited to the local environment. This approach supports local biodiversity and increases the resilience of newly planted forests to pests and diseases. 

2. Reforestation and Redesignation 

Reforestation focuses on restoring degraded or deforested lands, making it particularly relevant in regions heavily impacted by palm oil production. One of the most significant benefits of restoring degraded landscapes is its potential for eliminating 13–26 gigatonnes of emissions from the atmosphere. 

Another critical consideration is reclassifying palm oil as a forest crop rather than a traditional plantation produce. In 2022, the Bogor Institute of Agriculture Indonesia made the case for redesignation, a move that would see existing oil palm farmlands as forests. It would also see the establishment of new plantations as a reforestation strategy. The Indonesian government has since rejected the idea due to the controversy generated by the proposal. 

3. Enforce Sustainable Land-Use Practices

Implementing sustainable land-use practices for oil palm cultivation at all levels is vital. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a key resource in this regard. Established in 2004, the RSPO brings together various stakeholders to create and implement eco-friendly palm oil production standards.

The RSPO’s certification system sets rigorous criteria for crop cultivation without causing deforestation, harming wildlife or violating the rights of local communities. As of 2023, a mere 4.5 million hectares of oil palm plantations are RSPO-certified. Producers, processors, retailers, NGOs and consumers must do more to promote sustainability.  

4. Supply Chain Transformation

Palm oil supply must undergo more intense scrutiny to ensure only sustainably produced products enter the market. According to the advocacy group Rainforest Action Network, palm oil from illegal plantations is in the supply chains of leading corporations like Nestlé, Unilever and PepsiCo. 

The longer this issue goes unchecked, the more environmentally harmful impacts of palm oil deforestation will worsen. Major brands must conduct strict verification when dealing with suppliers to ensure traceability and transparency.

5. Give Indigenous Peoples Control of Forests

Recent data by the Forest Stewardship Council indicates deforestation is about 20% lower where Indigenous communities control the land. The report also suggests such a move would be more effective than designating an area as a national park. 

This is because native tribes have a deeper connection to the land, which correlates with responsible management. Their traditional knowledge also fosters a better understanding of ecosystems, incentivizing protection. 

The World Must Come Together to Tackle Palm Oil Deforestation 

While palm oil is a valuable, versatile commodity with significant potential, its contribution to deforestation seriously threatens the environment and global biodiversity. The challenge lies in balancing economic development with sustainability, ensuring production does not come at the cost of the planet’s forests. 

Systemically Implementing these five critical solutions is fundamental to addressing this issue. Governments, corporations and consumers must also work together to promote sustainable practices and protect invaluable ecosystems.

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About the author

Jane Marsh

Starting from an early age, Jane Marsh loved all animals and became a budding environmentalist. Now, Jane works as the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co where she covers topics related to climate policy, renewable energy, the food industry, and more.