palm oil
Newsletter
Credit: Photo by Ryan Woo/CIFOR-ICRAF/Flickr
Palm oil plantations increase flood risks and water contamination in Papua
The expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesian Papua has led to increased flooding and water contamination, affecting Indigenous communities downstream.
In short:
- Oil palm plantations have replaced forests, causing a 21% increase in surface water runoff and nearly fivefold increase in flooding probability.
- Agrochemicals used in plantations have raised nitrogen and phosphorous levels in water, exceeding safe standards for human consumption.
- Indigenous communities face higher environmental and health risks due to lack of transparency and effective mitigation measures by plantation operators.
Key quote:
“The downstream Indigenous people who rely on the rivers and the streams in the watershed are highly vulnerable."
— Timothy Randhir, professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
Why this matters:
The health of downstream communities is jeopardized by contaminated water and increased flooding, indicating a pressing need for stricter regulations and better management practices to protect both the environment and public health. Read more: Balancing palm oil and protected forests to conserve orangutans.
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Credit: szefei/Big Stock Photo
Europe's new palm oil rules stir debate over environmental protection and jobs
Europe's ban on deforestation-linked imports puts Malaysia and Indonesia's economic interests at risk.
In short:
- The European Union mandates tracing for a wide array of products to combat deforestation, impacting 85% of the world's palm oil supply from Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Developing countries view the regulation as an economic threat, with allegations of "regulatory imperialism" from Indonesia's economic minister.
- Compliance challenges may disproportionately affect smallholders, further exacerbating environmental damage and poverty.
Key quote:
"We're not questioning the need to fight deforestation. But it's not fair when countries that have deforested their own land for centuries, or are responsible for much of our deforestation, can unilaterally impose conditions on us."
— Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Malaysia’s environment minister
Why this matters:
The EU's deforestation law aims to protect forests and ecosystems and underscores the broader challenges of equitable climate action, especially for nations reliant on agricultural exports like palm oil.
Balancing palm oil and protected forests to conserve orangutans.
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Newsletter
Credit: Rich Carey/Big Stock Photo
Palm oil deforestation in Indonesia rises, reversing a decade-long decline
After years of decreasing deforestation rates, Indonesia's palm oil industry has seen a resurgence in forest clearing, particularly on peatlands and in Borneo and Papua.
In short:
- Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, experienced an increase in deforestation for palm oil plantations in 2023, marking a shift from a decade-long downward trend.
- A significant portion of this deforestation occurred on carbon-rich peatlands, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions.
- The increase in deforestation is concentrated in Indonesian Borneo and Papua, moving away from the traditional palm oil heartland of Sumatra.
Key quote:
"So emissions from the palm oil [industry] is around a fifth of Indonesia’s emissions."
— Herry Purnomo, senior scientist and deputy country director at CIFOR
Why this matters:
The resurgence of deforestation in Indonesia for palm oil cultivation raises serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. This trend challenges global efforts to combat climate change and highlights the need for sustainable agricultural practices and effective forest conservation policies.
Balancing palm oil and protected forests to conserve orangutans.
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What are biofuels and why is it so confusing whether they are a source of clean energy or not?
India, the current president of the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations, has proposed a global biofuel alliance that seeks to accelerate sustainable biofuels deployment to support the global energy transition.
Indonesia permit payoff raises alarm about palm oil industry corruption
The ongoing trial of an Indonesian official accused of taking bribes from palm oil companies to expedite their permits has prompted calls for greater scrutiny into corruption in the sector.
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