The impacts and opportunities of oil palm in Southeast Asia

The ongoing expansion of oil palm plantations in the humid tropics, especially in Southeast Asia, is generating considerable concern and debate. Amid industry and environmental campaigners claims, it can be hard to perceive reality. Is oil palm a valuable route to sustainable development or a costly road to environmental ruin Inevitably, any answer depends on many choices. But do decision makers have the information they require to avoid pitfalls and make the best decisions This review examines what we know and what we dont know about oil palm developments. Our sources include academic publications and grey literature, along with expert consultations. Some facts are indisputable: among these are that oil palm is highly productive and commercially profitable at large scales, and that palm oil demand is rising. Implementing oil palm developments involves many tradeoffs. Oil palms considerable profitability offers wealth and development where wealth and development are neededbut also threatens traditional livelihoods. It offers a route out of poverty, while also making people vulnerable to exploitation, misinformation and market instabilities. It threatens rich biological diversitywhile also offering the finance needed to protect forest. It offers a renewable source of fuel, but also threatens to increase global carbon emissions

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