Search Climate Insights Directory

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative examines the economic risks of palm oil monocropping for independent smallholders in the Berau regency of Eastern Kalimantan, Indonesia. It argues that while palm oil is a popular livelihood, it is insufficient to cover minimum living costs and increases food security risks. The report recommends crop diversification—specifically with maize and cocoa—as a more profitable and resilient alternative that aligns with sustainability goals.

This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) examines the challenges of implementing sustainable palm oil production along a commodity chain stretching from Riau Province, Indonesia, to the European Union. Based on 20 semi-structured interviews and 3 focus group discussions, the study evaluates why voluntary private-sector initiatives, such as 'No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation' (NDPE) policies, have seen limited success in improving sustainability or increasing the market share of sustainable commodities.

This working paper by the Climate Policy Initiative, supported by PILAR and UNPAR, proposes a framework for district-level natural capital assessment in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. It argues that current land valuations underestimate the true value of ecosystem services and are hindered by inconsistent government regulations and data gaps. The paper recommends a pilot assessment in Kotawaringin Timur due to its high concentration of palm oil infrastructure and critical high conservation value areas.

This CPI working paper proposes a design for natural resource valuation at the district level in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. It argues that current land valuation fails to account for critical ecosystem services like carbon storage and water provision, leading to suboptimal land-use decisions. The paper identifies Kotawaringin Timur as a priority area for a comprehensive valuation study due to its high deforestation rates, significant concentration of palm oil infrastructure, and the presence of extensive High Conservation Value (HCV) areas that are currently under-protected.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative describes a landscape management approach designed to transform Indonesia's oil palm sector into a high-productivity, sustainable industry. The approach, supported by Unilever and IDH, moves beyond simple supply chain traceability to manage agricultural production and ecosystem protection across connected areas of land at scale. The document details a five-step implementation process and highlights a pilot project in Sei Mangkei, North Sumatra, aimed at improving land-use planning, increasing smallholder productivity, and protecting peat and forest ecosystems.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International details the impacts of palm oil plantations developed by the Malaysian company Sime Darby in Liberia. It alleges that the company's land concessions violate Liberian laws and international human rights principles, leading to land grabs, deforestation, and the loss of local livelihoods. The document also identifies European financial institutions providing funding to Sime Darby and calls for the renegotiation of contracts to ensure community consent and environmental protection.

This report analyzes the sustainability of biofuel production in Malaysia, specifically comparing national economic goals for biodiesel development against the local-level socio-economic and environmental impacts of palm oil expansion.

This report by Friends of the Earth Netherlands and WALHI KalBar examines how European biofuel policies and the resulting demand for palm oil have driven unsustainable plantation expansion in the Ketapang District of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It details systemic failures in governance, including the issuance of 'fast track' permits that bypass environmental and social safeguards, leading to illegal deforestation, carbon emissions, and severe land conflicts with indigenous communities.

This fact sheet by the Climate Policy Initiative examines how Indonesia can adjust its fiscal policies to balance the growth of its land use sector—which contributes nearly half of the national GDP—with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 29% by 2030. The document identifies three primary areas for fiscal reform: shifting from production-based to land-size based levies, reforming revenue sharing with local governments to discourage land expansion, and earmarking Adjustment Funds for sustainable land use.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the palm oil supply chain in the Berau district of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It examines the potential for increasing production through yield improvement rather than land expansion to support regional sustainability goals. The study identifies significant inefficiencies facing smallholders, including lack of land tenure and financing, while noting that large plantation companies operate more efficiently. It also highlights the absence of local refineries, which results in most crude palm oil (CPO) being exported from the region raw.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International describes the Vegetable Oil Development project (VODP) in Uganda, a partnership involving Wilmar International, the Government of Uganda, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Bidco. While promoted as a poverty-reduction effort, the document asserts the project has caused land grabbing, deforestation, and food insecurity, particularly on Bugala Island in the Kalangala area.

A case study on the legal challenge brought by NGOs against the Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône and Total regarding the climate impacts of a biofuel refinery in France.

This policy brief examines the impact of the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) (EU-RED) on palm oil production in Southeast Asia. It argues that the EU's focus on greenhouse gas emissions and its reliance on voluntary certification schemes fail to address severe socio-ecological impacts, including water pollution, land disputes, and the marginalization of local communities and smallholder farmers.