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• Create Date June 30, 2017
• Last Updated February 3, 2023

Palm Oil: Environmental destruction, stolen land

This report offers a summary of background information about palm oil. How and where is it grown? What makes palm oil different from other vegetable oils? How much of it is used in what products, and why? What are the consequences for the local people and the natural environment – and what are the possible solutions, from boycotts to certification?

In order to offer a tangible insight into the topic from the consumer perspective, we’ve also had a look at the palm oil situation on our own shelves back home. We picked out a product that’s quite innocent in itself – the biscuit – and investigated how many types of biscuits contain palm oil, and if they use certified palm oil.

Besides information from specialist literature, scientific studies and talks with experts, this report is also largely based on a study visit to Sumatra, Indonesia. We visited four regions and spoke with members of the local government and villagers who are involved in conflicts relating to palm oil.