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My Say: Data-driven analysis of palm oil gives cause for optimism

April 1, 2024

After decades of unrelenting bad news about the worsening state of the planet, renowned data scientist Hannah Ritchie has written a book on why there is cause for optimism and how organisations such as the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) have started to turn the tide against, among other things, deforestation.

MPOC welcomes the insightful analysis in Ritchie’s ground-breaking book, Not the End of the World. This meticulously researched volume challenges widespread misinformation surrounding palm oil, offering a refreshing perspective grounded in data and nuance. For decades, palm oil has been unfairly vilified as being the single-biggest cause of deforestation and for the environmental harm that it does.

Ritchie, a leading researcher and deputy editor of the University of Oxford’s The World in Data website, meticulously dismantled this simplistic portrayal of this crucial crop. Her evidence-based approach reveals a truth that will come as a surprise to many. Not The End of The World does not completely exonerate palm oil of its historical role in deforestation or infer that the industry gets everything right, but it demonstrates that not only is oil palm not the worst culprit of deforestation, but that deforestation in oil palm growing areas is actually falling and that oil palm is remarkably efficient to grow compared with alternative oil crops.

As demand for vegetable oils grows, oil palm’s high yield per hectare translates into potentially less land needing to be used, offering hope for further forest conservation. As Ritchie points out, we use 322 million hectares (an area the size of India) to grow oil crops, but if we were to source all of it from oil palm, we would need just 77 million hectares — or four times less land. Yet, if we got it all from soybean oil, we would need more land: 490 million hectares. From olive oil, we would need 660 million hectares, or the equivalent landmass of two Indias.

Beyond this, the book fosters a comprehensive discussion on how to deal with deforestation on a global basis, looking at beef and soy in South America, crop yields in Sub-Saharan Africa and, of course, oil palm in Southeast Asia. There needs to be a broader conversation, moving beyond the singular focus on oil palm.

The truth is the rate of deforestation in Malaysia has been trending lower for some time, with Global Forest Watch reporting in June 2023 a sharp reduction in forest loss, showing that reversing deforestation is achievable. The initiatives employed by the Malaysian government and palm oil corporations are bearing fruit with many operating under a “No Deforestation, Peat and Exploitation” (NDPE) commitment.

The book also debunks the dangers of knee-jerk reactions like boycotting palm oil. Replacing it with other oils would necessitate significantly more land, potentially exacerbating deforestation further. Instead, Ritchie advocates for embracing certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) to ensure that responsible practices get embedded throughout the supply chain.

We applaud the release of her data-driven analysis, whose findings resonate deeply with our values. This book clearly quashes the misleading narratives on palm oil being the pantomime villain of global agriculture. While there is still much work to be done, we have long championed transparency and sustainability, and we welcome this book as an opportunity for informed dialogue and collaboration to ensure a truly sustainable future for palm oil.

So, who are the real villains when it comes to deforestation? Three-quarters of deforestation is driven by the conversion of primary forests for agriculture or plantations. The single biggest driver, by far, is beef. Forest clearance to make room for cows to graze on is responsible for more than 40% of global deforestation, with South America being home to most of this destruction. Brazilian beef production alone is responsible for one-quarter of global deforestation. The solution is to eat less beef and, where possible, eat grain-fed, rather than grass-fed, beef. Eating less meat means the world would need less cropland than we currently use today as a lot of crops are fed to animals. And by reducing our meat consumption, we could use this land to grow crops for humans instead and leave more land to nature.

We commend Not the End of the World for moving beyond the palm oil narrative by:

  • Encouraging a holistic approach to deforestation by tackling broader issues like responsible beef consumption and crop yields;
  • Championing data-driven dialogue: Fostering informed decision-making based on accurate information and encouraging constructive dialogue rather than emotional responses; and
  • Embracing solutions: Offering practical solutions such as supporting certified sustainable palm oil and making informed dietary choices.

By fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues and advocating for responsible practices, Not the End of the World empowers stakeholders to contribute to a more sustainable future. MPOC and the palm oil industry remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a responsible and sustainable palm oil industry that benefits both people and the planet.


Belvinder Sron is CEO of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council

Source : The Edge Malaysia

 

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