Fauna & Flora International and Palm oil

The expansion of palm oil plantations is a major threat to the world’s tropical forests and peatlands. Palm oil is in huge demand for use in food and cosmetics, as well as feedstock for biofuels.

Over 85% of palm oil is grown in Indonesia and Malaysia, both of which harbour high levels of biodiversity in their rainforests, including the iconic and endangered orang-utan.

What is Fauna & Flora International doing about it?

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) recognises the threats that unsustainable palm oil plantations pose to global biodiversity. We believe in finding practical and effective solutions to conservation problems and investigating how we can have the greatest impact on the ground.

Following on from our long experience with corporate partnerships in the mining, tobacco, and oil and gas sectors, we are now engaging with the palm oil sector.

Here are just a few examples of how we’re making a difference:

• Active involvement in the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to ensure rigorous Principles and Criteria for membership
• Helping companies throughout the palm oil supply chain to minimise their impact and implement RSPO best practice standards
• Protecting  High Conservation Value Areas in palm oil dominated landscapes
• Informing strategic land-use planning which considers biodiversity by working with governments
• Through the Natural Value Initiative by exposing risks to the finance sector relating to dependencies on unsustainable supply chains in the agriculture, food and beverage and retail sectors
• Engaging in discussions, fora and symposia addressing challenges relating to sustainable palm oil

Only by engaging all stakeholders – local, regional and national governments, companies, local communities and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – can we find a systemic solution to the palm oil problem.

If done right, palm oil industry development can be a positive driving force for jobs, food security and conservation.

Learn more about FFI’s partnership with Cargill which focuses on improving the sustainability of their palm oil supply chain.

Download the Fauna & Flora International And Palm Oil: An Overview fact sheet (PDF)