• What are the environmental concerns associated with the oil palm industry?
  • There are substantial environmental concerns associated with the oil palm industry and its expansion, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1 ¨C 3], and it is clear that remaining forest habitats must be protected to conserve tropical biodiversity.
  • Does oil palm need more land to meet global oil demand?
  • Oil palm¡¯s high yields mean that it requires less land to meet global oil demand than other oil crops. However, minimizing overall vegetable oil crop impacts requires evaluation for their past, current and projected distribution and impacts, and review of their yields, global trade and uses.
  • Is oil palm production increasing in Africa and South America?
  • Oil palm production has increased in Africa and South America in the past decade [69, 74], and we found an increase in studies conducted in these regions in recent years, which may reflect the expansion in these areas [75 ¨C 77].
  • Why is the oil palm industry important?
  • The global oil palm industry is a major component of contemporary agriculture, supplying food to billions of people, plus a host of non-food products that include strategically vital cleaning products used in critical health care settings.
  • What are the environmental impacts of oil palm expansion in Southeast Asia?
  • Oil palm is also implicated in peatland draining and burning in Southeast Asia. Documented negative environmental impacts from such expansion include biodiversity declines, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
  • What challenges do oil palm crops face?
  • Oil palm crops face many other challenges, including emerging threats from climate change and the likelihood of new pests and diseases, that require more effective international collaboration. The influential players in the industry need to interact with the key organizations and countries now fully committed to reducing climate change.