The Sustainability of Palm Oil Production
Event Details
When: Tuesday 14 June
Where: Members’ Salon, European Parliament
Contact: Rachel Hewett
Tel: +32 (0)2 285 0922
Email: rachel.hewett@dods.eu
The Parliament Magazine was pleased to present, in association with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, a roundtable discussion on the sustainability of palm oil production.
The sustainability and environmental impact of the palm oil industry has long been a contentious issue among EU policymakers, the industry sector and environmental campaigners. In the wake of the biofuels boom and the growth of palm oil plantations, accusations of deforestation, land grabbing and human rights abuses polarised the environmental aspects of the debate.
Meanwhile, EU rules that were supposed to govern the use of biofuels manufactured from sustainable Palm oil plantations were heavily criticised for being jargon filled and misleading.
On one side, environmental groups say that Malaysian palm oil production is driving deforestation, breaches of environmental law and land conflict, while on the other side, the Malaysian government argues that Palm oil plantations are playing a leading role in developing a sustainable industry, by converting existing rubber, cocoa and coconut plantations and areas specifically earmarked for agriculture.
The event aimed to raise awareness of the industry role in developing sustainable palm oil production.It also looked at how the EU's renewable energy directive and other regulations will impact the industry, as well as highlighting the need for a level playing field regarding sustainable palm oil certification schemes.
It attracted the attention and involvement of EU policymakers and stakeholders to the general growth and use of sustainable palm oil; highlighted the role of the Roundtable on sustainable palm oil and raised awareness of the Malaysian palm oil industry’s commitment to capture methane gas in all its palm oil mills.
Click here to view photos from the event
Click here to view an online Parliament Magazine article from the event
Dr Chris Malins, Fuels Program Lead, Internation Council on Clean Transportation
