Impact of Malaysian palm oil on sustainable development goals: co-benefits and trade-offs across mitigation strategies

Abstract

Palm oil (PO) is an important source of livelihood, but unsustainable practices and widespread consumption may threaten human and planetary health. We reviewed 234 articles and summarized evidence on the impact of PO on health, social and economic aspects, environment, and biodiversity in the Malaysian context, and discuss mitigation strategies based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The evidence on health impact of PO is equivocal, with knowledge gaps on whether moderate consumption elevates risk for chronic diseases, but the benefits of phytonutrients (SDG2) and sensory characteristics of PO seem offset by its high proportion of saturated fat (SDG3). While PO contributes to economic growth (SDG9, 12), poverty alleviation (SDG1, 8, 10), enhanced food security (SDG2), alternative energy (SDG9), and long-term employment opportunities (SDG1), human rights issues and inequities attributed to PO production persist (SDG8). Environmental impacts arise through large-scale expansion of monoculture plantations associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions (SDG13), especially from converted carbon-rich peat lands, which can cause forest fires and annual trans-boundary haze; changes in microclimate properties and soil nutrient content (SDG6, 13); increased sedimentation and change of hydrological properties of streams near slopes (SDG6); and increased human wildlife conflicts, increase of invasive species occurrence, and reduced biodiversity (SDG14, 15). Practices such as biological pest control, circular waste management, multi-cropping and certification may mitigate negative impacts on environmental SDGs, without hampering progress of socioeconomic SDGs. While strategies focusing on improving practices within and surrounding plantations offer co-benefits for socioeconomic, environment and biodiversity-related SDGs, several challenges in achieving scalable solutions must be addressed to ensure holistic sustainability of PO in Malaysia for various stakeholders.

Contribution of independent smallholder RSPO certification to village-level SDGs achievements

“…In comparison to the Malaysian context, Naidu and Moorthy [51] showed that the palm oil industry is still able to support the achievement of SDGs such as alleviating hunger (SDG 2), improving health (SDG 3), developing renewable energy (SDG 7), and sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12). Hanafiah et al [52] analyzed that the palm oil industry in Malaysia is considered to bring benefits to achieving economic growth (shown in SDGs 9 and 12), poverty alleviation (SDGs 1, 8, and 10), increased food security (SDGS 2), alternative energy (SDG 9), and enhanced opportunities for work (SDG 1). However, there are some issues in human rights and inequality (SDG 8), greenhouse gas emissions (SDG 13), microclimate and soil nutrient changes (SDGs 6 and 13), sedimentation and hydrological changes (SDG 6), and human conflict with wildlife, invasive species, and reduced biodiversity (SDGs 14 and 15).…”

Analysis of Nuclear-Plasma Partnership Pattern for Sustainable Oil Palm Plantation in Riau Province, Indonesia

“…al [26], also confirmed that oil palm plantation development activities offer additional benefits for sustainability related to socio-economic, environmental, and biodiversity [26]. To ensure the sustainability of oil palm development, several obstacles must be overcome to obtain measurable solutions such as the use of oil palm land that does not damage the environment as well as the participation and partnership of the government, companies, smallholders, and cooperatives [49].…”

Enhancing Physiochemical Substrate Properties of Thin-Film Composite Membranes for Water and Wastewater Treatment via Engineered Osmosis Process

“…Malaysia is now the second largest crude palm oil (CPO) producer after Indonesia, contributing 39% of world palm oil production and 44% of world exports [ 1 ]. Despite the fact that the palm oil industry contributed significantly to the Malaysian economy and improved the living standard of local society [ 2 ], the discharge of large amounts of oily wastewater from this industry remains the main concern to the public.…”