Report on Palm Oil and Biodiversity
What is the issue?
Palm oil is derived from the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), which is native to West Africa and grows best in tropical climates with abundant water. Three-quarters of total palm oil produced is used for food, particularly cooking oil and processed oils and fats. It is also used in cosmetics, cleaning products and biofuel.
Between 1980 and 2014, global palm oil production increased by a factor of 15, from 4.5 million tonnes to 70 million tonnes. This was driven by the high yield and relatively low production costs of palm oil. Industrial-scale oil palm plantations now occupy an area of 18.7 million hectares worldwide (as of October 2017), with smallholder oil palm plantations also occupying a significant area. Palm oil demand is expected to grow at 1.7% per year until 2050.
Most (85%) of global palm oil supply comes from Indonesia and Malaysia, followed by Thailand, Colombia and Nigeria. The bulk of palm oil produced in these countries is exported to the EU, China, India, the US, Japan and Pakistan.
Oil palm produces about 35% of all vegetable oil on less than 10% of the land allocated to oil crops.
Oil palm expansion is a major driver of deforestation and degradation of natural habitats in parts of tropical Asia and Central and South America, behind cattle ranching and local and subsistence agriculture. On the island of Borneo, at least 50% of all deforestation between 2005 and 2015 was related to oil palm development.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally | Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material efficiency |
SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers | Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment | Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The issues highlighted in the article are related to deforestation, responsible consumption and production, agricultural productivity, and labor rights, which align with these SDGs.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
- Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
- Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers
- Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
These targets address the need for sustainable forest management, responsible resource use, increased agricultural productivity, and improved labor rights.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management
- Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material efficiency
- Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
- Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards sustainable forest management, responsible resource use, agricultural productivity, and labor rights.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally | Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material efficiency |
SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers | Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment | Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries |
Source: iucn.org