InfoSAWIT, BALI – Erik Meijaard, a conservation expert from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), emphasized that vegetable oils—including palm oil—are an essential part of the human diet. However, the main challenge is to increase vegetable oil production globally with minimal environmental impact.
Meijaard explained that the growing global population drives the increasing demand for vegetable oils. "It's a simple calculation: more people mean more oil is needed. The question is, how do we increase production without harming the environment?" he stated during the 7th International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) Day 2, attended by InfoSAWIT, on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
He revealed the paradox of palm oil: on one hand, palm oil produces 4-10 times more oil per hectare compared to other crops like soybeans or rapeseed. "If palm oil meets the oil demand, we could reduce land requirements. But on the other hand, palm oil expansion often sacrifices forests," he added.
In a recent IUCN report, Meijaard and his team emphasized that no vegetable oil is inherently "good" or "evil." "The problem lies not in the type of crop but in how it is managed. Every vegetable oil has examples of good and bad management," he asserted.
This report responds to social media campaigns that often portray palm oil as an "evil" commodity while praising other oils like coconut. "We need to move towards sustainable practices, not just judge a commodity," Meijaard stated.
The conference discussed various solutions, such as increasing productivity on existing land through agricultural technology and implementing agroforestry—combining palm oil with other crops like watermelon, coffee, or cocoa. "Agroforestry can reduce pressure on forests while enhancing biodiversity and farmers' income," Meijaard explained.
He also addressed the impacts of climate change on vegetable oil production. "Deforestation not only triggers global warming but also alters local climates. In Kalimantan, temperatures can rise by 10°C when forests are converted to open land," he noted.
Meijaard stressed that the world cannot avoid palm oil. "If the demand for vegetable oil is met solely by soybeans, we would need an additional 200 million hectares of land. This would exacerbate deforestation and climate change," he explained.
While there is discourse around microbial oils, algae, or other alternatives, Meijaard stated that these solutions are still in the testing phase. "Palm oil must remain part of the global solution, as long as it is managed correctly," he asserted.
Beyond the report, Meijaard criticized the U.S. decision to withdraw from the climate agreement. "This is a bad move. Climate change is a global issue that requires cooperation from all countries," he stated.
He urged governments and companies to design balanced production landscapes. "Careful planning is needed to integrate vegetable oil production with ecosystem preservation. Palm oil can contribute positively if managed within integrated landscapes," he concluded.
With an inclusive and science-based approach, Meijaard believes that the vegetable oil industry can meet human needs without compromising the planet's future. (T2)
