Palm oil, a product many unsuspecting consumers use daily, has become a climate change villain. Now, with the European Union's new deforestation regulations threatening major exporters such as Malaysia and Indonesia, the industry is at a crossroads.
Can it clean up its act and balance providing livelihood for millions while addressing sustainability issues? As experts write for us today, there are some positive signs, but many challenges remain.
The following expert-authored articles are available for reuse/republication under Creative Commons 4.0. You may also use them as a resource for ideas and sources, with attribution. Links will direct you to our free digital wire service, 'Newshub'.
Eng-Seng Chan and Wail Gourich, Monash University Malaysia
The Malaysian palm oil industry is making notable progress in addressing climate change and sustainability issues.
What decarbonising palm oil could look like
Denny K. S. Ng, Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur
Technologies and practices exist to help the palm oil industry decarbonise but barriers to their adoption need to be overcome.
Can palm oil help us eat our way to a greener future?
Erik Meijaard, University of Kent
Despite its often maligned reputation, palm oil could be a key player in addressing the world's food security challenge — if it can be produced sustainably.
Small farms the key to Malaysia's palm oil sustainability
Siti Dina Razman Pahri, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Supporting Malaysia's smallholder farmers with technology and policy can ensure a sustainable palm oil industry.
Palm oil smallholders need government help not hindrance
Tania Li, University of Toronto and Pujo Semedi, Gadjah Mada University
Indonesia’s independent oil palm farmers face a myriad of challenges. Reforms are needed so they can benefit from this profitable crop.
India's palm oil plans wreak havoc on the ground
Ravi Chellam, Biodiversity Collaborative, Bengaluru
The push for large-scale monoculture plantations of oil palm in Northeast India is taking its toll on the environment and on people's economic and social security.
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