Palm oil has become a major source of contention among global corporations and environmental champions.

Originally sourced in Africa, the Elaeis guineensis is the primary oil palm (The American Oil palm and the Maripa Palm are used on smaller scales) providing millions of tons of cheap vegetable oil per year. Unfortunately, the damage associated with palm oil monoculture has every environmental activist, scientist, and concerned shopper up in arms. Pictures about the damaging effects on protected/endangered forest land have shocked the world where immediate action is the only acceptable route.

Palm oil plantations turn once-lush forest into man-made deserts.

The issue at hand

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have stated in various reports that bulldozers clear 300 football fields worth of space each and every passing hour for palm oil production. Naturally, this type of industrialized agriculture has led to massive concern regarding climate change, indigenous tribes rights abuse, animal cruelty and endangerment, deforestation and habitat loss.

In addition to the outrageous cruelty imposed on the native people and wildlife, many palm oil plantations are built over existing peat bogs. In order to cultivate the land, forest fires are set, and these, when combined with the bogs, release massive amounts of greenhouse gases.

Critically endangered Sumatran elephants in Western Indonesia are poisoned on palm oil plantations

Corporate Profits minus the Social and Environmental Responsibility

It is no surprise that when it comes to profit, global corporations try to cut corners by using lower quality, environmentally hazardous ingredients or methods of production. Palm oil has become a staple in everything from bread to toothpaste. Its versatility knows no end and herein lies the problem — unsustainable palm oil production is a money maker.

A starving mother Orangutan that escaped forest fires set purposely for clearing forest vegetation, was stoned by villagers. Palm oil is found in over 70% of consumer goods, incl. Makeup, cleaning agents and food.

An article posted on Healthfreedoms.org states, “In the deforestation process, workers are told that if wildlife gets in the way, they are to do whatever is necessary in order to dispose of them, no matter how inhumane. Often orangutans are run over by logging machinery, beat to death, buried alive or set on fire… all in the name of palm oil.”

Where the palm oil industry is concerned, a majority of the global corporations practicing unsustainable farming practices will use whatever means available to rid the areas of all “pests.” Wild animals are either killed or caught for the illegal exotic wildlife market. Indigenous tribes are threatened to sell their land for a pittance, with conflict often ending up in violence or death. The Indonesian government estimated that the forest fires during 2015, caused by the palm oil industry, cost the region around $47B by October 2015.

While it seems clear cut to us that one needs to be as environmentally friendly as possible in this day and age, global corporations are mostly unwilling to use sustainable palm oil as demand for it remains low due to the higher prices involved in the production. It is up to the consumer to demand these corporations step up and take responsibility.

Hopefully one day sustainable palm oil becomes the norm, then we don’t even have to talk about it because all the oil you buy will be sustainable.

Lee Hui Mien, head of sustainability, Ikea Southeast Asia

Consumer Pressure

Media houses large and small have composed articles, reports and hosted debates on this controversial topic. The Guardian newspaper has compiled various articles and reports over the years documenting the effect of Palm oil production. One such article, published in 2015, mentions chocolate lovers favorite spread, Nutella, and its use (i.e. support) of unsustainable palm oil. The report quoted French ecology minister, Ségolène Royal, calling out Ferrero on their use of an unsafe and environmentally damaging ingredient in their Nutella spread.

Ferrero released a statement two days later committing to sustainable palm oil production, and according to both Greenpeace and the WWF, the company has been on the right track, staying true to their promise.

While companies like Ferrero have established themselves as a premier producer of quality goods, they often need a hard push to make the change. When asked why they *finally* chose to change over, Ferrero responded, “Ferrero is aware of the responsibility that comes with having leading global brands, and has always been committed to leveraging its position to transform and innovate the palm oil industry.”

NERA asks you to take the Palm Oil Challenge

Consumer pressure has the power to change the way big business operates. It is your right to demand corporations respect your body and the earth so the WWF has provided an easy tool to assess the performance and commitment of global companies towards sustainable palm oil production. NERA asks our readers to join us in the 28-day Palm Oil Challenge and help make a difference where it counts.

We have one planet — make the informed choice.

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