Palm oil’s contribution to the United Nations sustainable development goals: outcomes of a review of socio-economic aspects

Abstract

Palm oil is at the same time the world’s most used vegetable oil and the most criticized for its environmental impacts due to the observed reduction in tropical forest areas for its cultivation over the past decades. There is, however, very little discussion on the socio-economic implications associated with the production of palm oil. To contribute to a more informed debate we conducted an in-depth review of the existing literature addressing the various socio-economic aspects of the production of palm oil, outlining its contribution to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The outcomes, findings, and conclusions from 82 studies, published from 2010 onward, were considered as positive, negative, neutral or varied, and sometimes even contradicting, with regard to the contribution of the palm cultivation and/or oil production to the achievement of a set of eight SDGs, selected considering those most related to the socio-economic development, differentiating when possible between sustainable and conventional production. Results show that it is difficult to draw uniform views, highlighting the nuances and varied facets of the contribution of palm oil to the eight SDGs, some of which are inevitably interconnected. In general, it emerges that palm oil plays a crucial role in boosting the economy and livelihoods of the local communities in many developing producer countries, substantially contributing to poverty reduction and to food security. However, the expansion of oil palm plantations has, in some cases, exacerbated social inequalities and the economic growth generated by the palm oil production chain is not always accompanied by decent working conditions. Against this backdrop, the achievement of some sustainable development goals is often facilitated by the implementation of sustainability certification schemes which play a key role in improving the socio-economic and environmental performance of palm oil production, enhancing socio-economic livelihoods for the people living in the production areas in terms of working conditions, infrastructure, services and higher wages, with consequent reduction of poverty rates, increase in quality education, better access to food and health care systems.

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

“…According to cooperatives, it was stated that the revitalization of cooperative organizations in rural areas through strategic marketing places is the most important characteristic of partnerships in terms of improving people's living standards and working conditions. Previous research also reported that to increase regional economic growth, it is necessary to develop other sectors that have high potential such as oil palm plantations and the processing industry in line with the Sustainable Development Goals [44][45][46]. The results of previous research by Pramudya et.…”

What is the Existing Condition of Palm Oil Plantation Management in Riau Province, Indonesia?

“…Essentially, the government's policy to develop oil palm plantations is a positive thing and is considered to be able to help farmers' economic growth (23,28) so that the positive impacts of this sector can continue to be managed (8). Based on the results of the group query analysis in Figure 2, it is found that each stakeholder has various perceptions of the existing conditions of oil palm plantation management in Riau Province: 22) explains that each actor who plays a role in natural resource management will have different connections and power with one another, whereas actors who have strong connections will be able to determine strategies to improve natural resource governance and apply the process at each level.…”

“…From an ecological perspective, oil palm plantations contribute to carbon dioxide and oxygen cycle conservation, land restoration, soil, and water conservation, increasing land biomass and carbon stock, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions/peatland improvement. With this whole paradigm, the Indonesian palm oil industry continues to grow in a sustainable perspective (8,9).…”

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

“…Several studies have been conducted to view the potential of making SDGs as palm oil impact assessment tools, but most are still limited to discussions for more appropriate applications [10,11]. Works of literature regarding palm oil plantations' impacts on the SDGs' realization are still restricted to conceptual discussion and the palm oil sector's possibility to the SDGs [12,13].…”