Palm oil production is far from being sustainable, experts say, even in forests where harvest practices are classified as destruction-free. A new study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment found that forest loss in major oil palm-producing countries have been greater in the past decade even in areas labeled as sustainable.

'Greenwashing'

Researchers from Purdue University and Tomsk State University in Russia reported that Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea have lost approximately 31 million hectares of forest from 2001 to 2016.

Interestingly, the rate of deforestation is higher in sustainable forest than in those with no eco-friendly conditions at 38 percent and 34 percent respectively.

"Our research shows quite unequivocally that, unfortunately, there is no way to produce sustainable palm oil that did not come from deforestation, and that the claims by corporations, certification schemes and non-government organizations are simply 'greenwashing,'" the lead author and research associate at the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources in Purdue Roberto Cazzolla Gatti said in an exclusive interview.

Global demand for palm oil has dramatically increased from 37 million metric tons in 2006 to 64.2 million in 2016. Palm oil is used in a variety of commercial and household purposes, including detergents, cooking, cosmetics, and food products.

Impact On Planet

A 2018 report by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), an alliance of environmental advocates, investors, and retailers, highlighted the impact of the palm oil industry on the people, the planet, and economies.

Conservation is one of the chief complaints received by the RSPO, as well as issues on free, prior, and informed consent from the indigenous people. The same report noted that palm oil production is beneficial for West African countries especially that about 60 to 70 percent of the industry are represented by small-scale farmers.

Gatti urged policymakers to consider alternatives to palm oil such as flaxseed, sunflower, and rapeseed.

"Palm oil substitutes that have less environmental impacts should be a research priority, but as long as the environmental costs of production are not internalized in its price, this [palm] oil will continue to dominate the market and cause catastrophic damage to tropical forests," Gatti said.