s:2562:"%T Promised land: palm oil and land acquisition in Indonesia - implications for local communities and indigenous peoples 
%A Colchester M 
%A Jiwan N 
%A Andiko 
%A Sirait M T 
%A Firdaus A Y 
%A Surambo A 
%A Pane H 
%X Palm oil is one of the world’s major commodities. Its production has historically been associated with extensive clearance of tropical forests and consequent loss of habitat for endangered species, the (often illegal) takeover of indigenous peoples’ and farmers’ lands and the exploitation of workers and smallholders. Groups such as Friends of the Earth1 and the World Rainforest Movement2 have documented in detail how palm oil plantations are a major force driving deforestation. Forest clearance for new plantings is also a major cause of forest fi res and air pollution, which contribute to seasonal hazes that are a serious threat to public health. Plantations are often established on indigenous peoples’ and farmers’ lands without their consent or respect for their rights. The conditions of smallholders and labourers working on or linked to large plantations are often very poor.Markets for edible oils are currently in a phase of rapid growth, notably in India, China and Eastern Europe. To supply this market, production of palm oil is predicted to double in the next twenty years, implying at least another 5 to 10 million hectares of new oil palm plantings in the same period. Although new oil palm plantations are now being established in many places, notably Sarawak and Sabah, Thailand, the Philippines, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Colombia, the country planning the greatest expansion is Indonesia. Where is the land for this expansion to come from Who are the present owners, users and occupiers of this land Are their rights and interests being respected What is the legal process by which lands for new plantings are acquired Are these laws being observed Do they offer adequate protection for communities What are the implications of this massive expansion of oil palm for indigenous peoples and local communities This study has been undertaken to help answer such questions and to contribute to national and international policy discussions aimed at applying improved standards for the establishment and management of oil palm estates and the production and use of palm oil and other products derived from oil palms. Specifically the study has been designed to assess, and contribute to, the application of the standard for ‘sustainable palm oil’ adopted by the Round table on Sustainable Palm Oil 
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