Exploring the Complexities of Palm Oil: Is Sustainable Palm Oil Real or Just Greenwashing?

The palm oil industry has recently come under intense scrutiny as various environmental and human rights violations have been exposed. This has led me to prioritize “palm oil free” products in all of my sustainable beauty recommendations. However, what if I told you that there are palm oil products currently available on store shelves that are marketed as “sustainable” and “certified”? It’s true! Companies worldwide are engaging with the standards established by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). While this sounds promising at first glance, I couldn’t help but feel skeptical upon hearing about the RSPO’s criteria, prompting me to delve deeper into the subject. So, let’s explore the complexities of palm oil! Does truly eco-friendly and ethical palm oil exist? Or is the RSPO and its so-called “sustainable” palm oil simply another instance of corporate greenwashing?

What is palm oil?

Palm oil is derived from the fruit of oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis), a species native to the coastal regions of West and Southwest Africa. Today, however, it is predominantly cultivated in Indonesia and Malaysia, which collectively account for approximately 85% of global palm oil production. This statistic is particularly striking considering that the palm oil industry is valued at over $62 billion USD. Historically, unrefined palm oil was commonly used in traditional cooking, particularly in Nigerian and Congolese cuisines. In contrast, the palm oil we find in mass-market products today is referred to as “refined palm oil,” which has been subjected to various processing steps to achieve a more neutral flavor and color.

What products contain palm oil?

Palm oil is the most widely utilized vegetable oil globally, appearing in around 50% of products on supermarket shelves due to its affordability and versatility. It can be found in a range of food items, including chocolate, cereals, creamers, and margarine, as well as in cosmetics, laundry detergents, and numerous other products. Additionally, palm oil is utilized to produce biodiesel fuel, serving as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.

For those committed to zero-waste living, it’s important to note that palm oil-based products that have been in contact with meat or mixed with synthetic chemicals may not decompose in a compost pile. In fact, most products containing palm oil are likely not compostable! Excessive oil in a compost bin can lead to anaerobic conditions, resulting in unpleasant odors. This provides yet another compelling reason to avoid palm oil.

What’s the problem with palm oil?

The production of palm oil is one of the leading causes of global deforestation. To make way for monoculture oil palm plantations, vast areas of tropical forests are burned, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Fires in peatland areas are particularly challenging to extinguish and can spread uncontrollably. This rampant habitat destruction poses a severe threat to biodiversity. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 193 species are currently endangered or threatened due to palm oil cultivation, including Southeast Asian orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and various species of Asian elephants, rhinos, and tigers. Disturbingly, even national parks are affected; for example, the Tesso Nilo National Park in Sumatra—established to protect the endangered Sumatran tiger—has seen 43% of its area overtaken by illegal palm plantations.

Furthermore, the palm oil industry faces serious issues regarding labor rights and human welfare. A 2016 case study revealed alarming conditions among 120 palm oil workers, including children, in Kalimantan and Sumatra. It highlighted the prevalence of child labor, unsafe working environments, and exposure to hazardous chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers. The study also exposed gender discrimination, with women often employed as temporary laborers, depriving them of permanent positions and associated benefits like health insurance and pensions. While the palm oil industry is vital for the economies of many low-income countries in Asia and the Middle East, completely halting palm oil production could lead to widespread unemployment for individuals lacking the skills to transition to other sectors.

Is sustainable palm oil the real deal?

The Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) consists of palm oil producers, buyers, and NGOs, working together to create a global standard for “sustainable palm oil.” However, the criteria for RSPO certification can be quite vague. For a producer to be certified, they must maintain a transparent supply chain and manage their palm tree plantations responsibly, meaning they cannot clear primary “high-value” conservation forests. The term “high-value,” however, is subjective and open to interpretation.

Additionally, RSPO-certified companies are expected to treat their workers fairly and support smaller growers, while also continuously measuring their greenhouse gas emissions and protecting local wildlife. RSPO claims that independent auditors will evaluate each plantation to ensure compliance with these standards.

So, is sustainable palm oil genuinely sustainable, or is it merely greenwashing? Although the RSPO’s intentions may be commendable, environmental organizations like Greenpeace have raised concerns about the enforcement of these standards. Greenpeace famously stated that “the RSPO is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.” It’s worth noting that the RSPO’s membership comprises individuals from the very industry contributing to the issues at hand; only 6.7% of RSPO members represent relevant conservation or social development organizations. Founding members include the World Wildlife Fund, the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, and various corporate entities, which can introduce bias during the RSPO’s periodic reviews of its standards.

The third-party auditors tasked with enforcing RSPO guidelines have also faced scrutiny. A report by the Environmental Investigation Agency and Grassroots highlighted systemic flaws within the RSPO, suggesting that some members may be colluding with palm plantations to cover up violations. This close relationship among growers, financiers, and palm oil buyers results in a lack of transparency and accountability in palm oil production. Alarmingly, Greenpeace found that three-quarters of the fires linked to palm oil companies occurred on RSPO members’ land between 2015 and 2018, leading to the burning of over 3 million hectares of land in Indonesia during that period. Yet, only a handful of companies faced serious consequences for their involvement in these fires. The economic repercussions of this crisis on Indonesia are staggering; the World Bank estimates that the 2015 crisis alone cost the country $16 billion USD in losses across various sectors, including agriculture and tourism.

In light of the current situation, it’s clear that RSPO certification embodies the essence of greenwashing. There needs to be a universal agreement on what constitutes “sustainable palm oil” and a more rigorous vetting process to ensure compliance with these standards. With only about 20% of palm oil producers certified by the RSPO and no real safeguards in place to protect both people and the planet, it is evident that we have made some progress, but significant challenges remain.

Palm oil alternatives

Given the current state of affairs, it’s safe to say that sustainable palm oil does not exist yet. Until such a time, I recommend actively seeking out more eco-friendly alternatives! Sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and coconut oil are all viable substitutes for palm oil. Unfortunately, these alternatives are unlikely to see widespread adoption in the industry anytime soon, as palm oil is a more efficient crop, yielding up to ten times more oil from the same amount of land compared to its substitutes. We can choose to reduce our consumption and encourage brands that use palm oil to explore alternatives. The more we voice our concerns, the better it will be for everyone.

What is palm oil free?

Another option is to completely avoid palm oil by selecting products that explicitly do not contain it! From palm oil-free shampoos to butter, makeup, and perfumes, there is typically a palm oil-free alternative available. The Ethical Consumer maintains a list of some palm oil-free products and brands to assist you in your search. One of my favorite brands is The Bare Home, which offers a zero-waste laundry detergent that I absolutely love and does not contain palm oil! They also provide other household products, such as dish soap, hand soap, and all-purpose cleaners, all free from palm oil. Other commendable brands to consider include The Eco Alchemist, Plaine Products, and Ethique.

I recently made a commitment to use palm oil-free toothpaste as part of my eco-friendly New Year’s resolution, and I highly recommend you consider trying it as well!

A final word on palm oil free

The world of sustainable certifications is not always as straightforward as it may appear. While the RSPO has noble intentions and some level of standards is better than none, substantial improvements are necessary before we can confidently assert that we are genuinely purchasing eco-friendly palm oil. However, given the prevalence of palm oil in cooking, beauty, and cleaning products, avoiding it entirely can be a challenging endeavor. Therefore, I encourage all my readers to approach sustainable living as a journey rather than a destination. Start with small changes and avoid palm oil whenever possible. You’ve got this!