Indonesian-German researchers claim that palm oil does not cause carbon emissions

The CRC990 team consists of researchers from the University of Jambi, the Bogor Institute of Technology, Tadulako University, and the University of Gottingen in Germany. The team is conducting research on the change in land used from forest to oil palm plantations that will continue until 2023. In an opening speech at the Indonesian Palm Oil Course at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry on Monday (20/11), CRC990 Coordinator Aiyen Tjoa denied all negative assumptions about palm oil that have been circulating up to now. “Research shows that young oil palm plantations that are around two years old do cause carbon to increase. But mature oil palm plantations that are about 10–12 years old are actually a source of carbon absorption. So, the idea that palm oil is the main source of emissions is wrong, because palm oil is not the only major factor contributing to increased emissions,” said Aiyen. In addition, he said that even though the palm oil industry has generally led to a decline in biodiversity, the plant is able to increase the number of bacteria and fungi that can maintain soil fertility. The decline in biodiversity, he said, can be managed through improvements to management of the oil palm plantations themselves. Moreover, research done by the CRC990 team also proves that palm oil can be produced using mixed cultivation techniques, where farmers can plant several vegetables or other fruits in one field, such as petai, jengkol, durian, and copper meranti. “This technique has been successfully implemented in Jambi, where oil palm plantations are planted along with petai, jengkol, and durian. The result is not only the restoration of biodiversity, but the palm oil harvest also increases,” added Aiyen. Furthermore, Aiyen said that the palm oil industry will not always damage the environment if farmers and producing countries continue their efforts to improve sustainable production systems with a focus on environmental aspects. Claims in Line with UN Vision Meanwhile, Head of the Assessment and Policy Development Agency (BPPK) of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Siswo Pramono, said that the development of Indonesia’s palm oil production is in line with one of the United Nations’ sustainable development agendas, namely the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in terms of poverty eradication. Because, according to Siswo, around 40 percent of palm oil land in Indonesia is managed by small-scale farmers or smallholders. The restriction of this commodity would, he explained, result in quite a significant impact on the income of these farmers. Therefore, Siswo stated that if anyone is opposed to the development of Indonesia’s palm oil commodity, that means they do not support achieving sustainable development in Indonesia. “Palm oil is a matter of utmost importance to the lives of small-scale Indonesian farmers. If this continues to be supported, how many million people could be lifted out of poverty? This is in line with the UN’s SDG efforts,” explained Siswo at the opening of the Indonesian Palm Oil Course at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry on Monday (20/11). “If you oppose the development of palm oil, that means you are opposing the SDGs program in Indonesia because we believe that this sector has huge potential for eradicating poverty,” he added. Siswo made this statement in response to the proliferation of negative campaigns targeted at palm oil producing countries like Indonesia. In April, the European Union parliament even issued a resolution entitled “Palm Oil and Deforestation of Rainforest.” The resolution documents the impact of the palm oil industry on land and forest clearing that is occurring in palm oil producing countries like Indonesia. Several issues underlined in the resolution focus on the assumption that the palm oil industry is the cause of deforestation and forest fires in Indonesia. Violations of human rights and production processes believed to have no regard for environmental impact have also become a concern for Europe related to the palm oil industry in Indonesia and several other producing countries. (gir)