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| More land, more damage by AI. |
Masri Sareb Putra, M.A.
📅 June 6, 2025
Abstract
Palm oil has long been demonized for its links to deforestation and biodiversity loss. Public campaigns push for boycotts, casting it as an environmental villain. But this narrative oversimplifies a complex reality. This report reveals that abandoning palm oil could actually worsen the climate crisis, as alternatives like rapeseed, sunflower, and soybean oil require significantly more land and resources.
While acknowledging the palm oil industry's historical environmental harm, we argue for reform, not rejection. Backed by data on yield, resource use, and sustainability, we highlight palm oil’s unmatched efficiency and its potential role in a more sustainable global food system.
1. Introduction: The Controversy Around Palm Oil
Palm oil accounts for 35% of global vegetable oil output while using only 6% of cultivated land—a striking efficiency. Yet images of clear-cut rainforests and displaced orangutans have made it a symbol of ecological destruction.
Consumer movements advocate switching to “cleaner” oils, but this report contends:
👉 Replacing palm oil could be ecologically catastrophic.
2. Palm Oil: The Most Efficient Oil Crop on Earth
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) thrives in tropical climates and produces fruit year-round for up to 30 years. Its average yield: 2.5 tons per hectare—far beyond its competitors:
| Crop | Oil Yield (tons/ha) | Land Needed (Relative) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil Palm | 2.5 | 1x (baseline) |
| Rapeseed | 0.6 | 4.2x |
| Sunflower | 0.5 | 5x |
| Soybean | 0.4 | 6.25x |
In terms of resource inputs per ton of oil, palm oil also comes out ahead:
| Metric | Oil Palm | Rapeseed | Sunflower | Soybean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilizer Use | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
| Pesticide Use | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
| Water Requirement | Low | Medium | High | Very High |
3. What Happens If We Replace Palm Oil?
Boycotting palm oil would require producing the same amount of oil using 4 to 6 times more land. This shift would:
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Accelerate deforestation
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Disrupt carbon storage
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Destroy tropical habitats
Crops like soybean and sunflower also involve frequent replanting, disturbing soil and releasing more greenhouse gases.
In short: less efficient crops = more ecological harm.
4. The Real Problem: Irresponsible Production, Not the Crop
Yes, palm oil has a dark side, illegal logging, peatland burning, and labor abuses are real.
But these stem from poor governance and enforcement, not the plant itself.
Replacing palm oil with other crops wouldn’t fix these problems—it would move them elsewhere, often in worse forms.
5. The Solution: Reform, Not Rejection
Reforming palm oil production is challenging—but achievable. Key steps include:
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✅ Zero-deforestation policies
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✅ Supply chain traceability
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✅ Fair labor and indigenous rights protections
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✅ Support for smallholders practicing regenerative farming
Organizations like RSPO and national governments have taken steps—but more robust, global action is needed.
6. Conclusion: Embrace Efficiency, Reform the Industry
Palm oil’s efficiency is unmatched. Eliminating it would mean more deforestation, more emissions, and deeper biodiversity loss.
The real path forward is responsible, sustainable palm oil. Reform, not boycott, is the key to preserving both ecosystems and food security.
Efficiency isn’t optional in the 21st century, it’s essential.
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