Is “Sustainable” Palm Sustainable?

Palm oil is one of the most versatile ingredients on Earth. From ice cream to car fuel, and from cosmetics to detergent, palm oil is in nearly in everything, everywhere. ^{1 2}  Because of its versatility—i.e. money-making capability—there is a push for more sustainable practices of producing this vegetable oil. (Let’s not forget, palm oil is, after all, just another vegetable oil that has no place in a healthy PLANET-Based diet).  This push for more sustainable practices led to the formal establishment of the not-for-profit organization, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), in 2004. They became, and still are today, the organization that sets the “generally agreed global standard” for sustainable palm oil. ³

¹ World Wildlife Fund: What is Palm Oil? Facts About the Palm Oil Industry (worldwildlife.org)

² Greenpeace: 5 problems with ‘sustainable’ palm oil | Greenpeace UK

³ BBC: What is sustainable palm oil? – BBC News

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Upon a closer look, the conflicts of interest that are prevalent in most industries dependent on massive deforestation (i.e. palm oil) are also at work in the RSPO. Virginia Lawrence, of the Palm Free Council, writes that “RSPO certified palm oil produced by RSPO certified growers has been found to be created through the destruction of primary forest and peat land resulting in habitat destruction of critically endangered species.” ⁴  This claim can be confusing, especially when looking at what the RSPO states on its own website:

One of the most important RSPO criteria states no primary forests or areas which contain significant concentrations of biodiversity (e.g. endangered species) or fragile ecosystems, or areas which are fundamental to meeting basic or traditional cultural needs of local communities (high conservation value areas), can be cleared. ⁵

To add to the confusion, the United Nations, through its Program on Reducing Emission (UN-REDD), states that even though “RSPO and other standards require certain provisions that would in principle limit deforestation there is very little quantitative evidence that this is actually the case.” ⁶  There seems to be little consensus on the actual validity of sustainable palm oil. And, more importantly, if quantitative evidence, as the UN suggests, is lacking, then the argument that palm oil is moving in a “sustainable” direction is a myth: quantitative evidence (numbers, data, figures, etc.) is what directly shows whether success has been achieved or not.

⁴ Palm Free Council: What’s Wrong with the RSPO? – Palm Free Council

⁵ RSPO: About | RSPO – Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

⁶  Palm Free Council: What’s Wrong with the RSPO? – Palm Free Council

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Sustainability, however, is more than limiting deforestation and quantitative evidence. Inherent in the idea of sustainability (no matter the practice) is a human element. Likewise, inherent in a PLANET-Based approach is also a human element. Once again, in the case of palm oil, the human element of sustainability is a myth. The Associated Press reported in late December of 2020 that “children working alongside their parents in Indonesia and Malaysia, which supply 85% of the world’s most consumed vegetable oil, earn little or no pay and are routinely exposed to toxic chemicals and other dangerous conditions.” ⁷ Relying on child labor and dangerous working conditions are nothing more than exploitation.

Some may wonder why doesn’t the RSPO respond and do anything to combat the exploitation. After all, they are the world’s authority on “sustainable” palm oil. However, when palm oil plantations are not easily visible, “some women and children… are ordered to hide or stay home when sustainability auditors visit,” ⁸ negating any industry “standards.” Sustainability auditing is just one element of the palm oil industry’s incrementalization, which does nothing to protect the children who must slave on the palm oil plantations. The continuation of these practices only adds to the myth that palm oil is sustainable.

⁷AP: Child labor in palm oil industry tied to Girl Scout cookies (apnews.com)

⁸AP: Child labor in palm oil industry tied to Girl Scout cookies (apnews.com)

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Finally, it would be irresponsible to leave out the aspect of palm oil on human health. As palm oil isn’t sustainable for the planet, it also isn’t sustainable for human health. (It is important to keep in mind, human health is central to PLANET-Based Living.) Oil, especially saturated fat, the fat found in palm oil and animal products, clogs the arteries, leaves us feeling sluggish and depressed, and adds weight to our midsections. Oil, regardless of origin, when introduced into a diet elevates one’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, among many other diseases and illnesses. Whether we are concerned with our environment and doing something about its increasing degradation; or we are concerned with our overall personal health and well-being, palm oil has no place in our lives. Of course, as PLANET-Based beings, we cannot see environment and personal health and well-being singularly. Everything and everyone is connected.