Palm oil plantations and deforestation in Guatemala: Certifying products as 'sustainable' is no panacea

Source: Journal of Environmental Management (2023). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118505 The article, published in the Journal of Environmental Management (2023), presents valuable insights into the topic under discussion. The provided DOI, an electronic identifier for the article, offers easy access to the full text.

Inexpensive, adaptable, and simple to cultivate, palm oil is the most widely used edible oil globally and can be spotted in approximately fifty percent of all pre-packaged grocery items, ranging from baked goods and spreads to personal care products like shampoo and toothpaste.

However, the production of palm oil has resulted in the destruction of forests and the loss of biodiversity in Southeast Asia and various other places, including Central America. The primary attempts to mitigate this harm have mostly centered around voluntary initiatives for environmental certification, which identify palm oil sources that meet sustainable standards.

Nonetheless, these certification programs have faced backlash from environmental organizations for being deceptive methods used by international companies to falsely advertise their palm oil as completely sustainable, even though their products still contribute significantly to deforestation.

Discoveries from a recent study spearheaded by the University of Michigan, and made available on the internet through the Journal of Environmental Management, not only bolster the arguments raised by the critics but also delve into more extensive aspects.

The U-M research focuses on Guatemala, a country expected to become the third-largest palm oil maker globally by 2030, following Indonesia and Malaysia. The study zooms in on a significant environmental accreditation program known as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

According to Calli VanderWilde, who conducted this research as part of her dissertation for the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability, our findings suggest that the transnational conglomerates' supply chains were responsible for causing deforestation and ecological intrusion in Guatemala. This ultimately catered to the demand for palm oil in the United States.

Furthermore, we have not come across any proof indicating that RSPO certification effectively safeguards against the destruction of forests or the invasion of ecosystems. Considering the projected substantial rise in oil palm expansion in the near future, it is highly probable that this trend will persist unless there are alterations made to the governing systems, both within institutions and supply chains.

The group of researchers led by the University of Michigan monitored palm oil production originated from previous forest area and other vital ecological regions in Guatemala. This palm oil is supplied by various multinational groups, which then sell food items containing the oil in the United States. These corporations are part of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and have made promises and established policies to guarantee the sustainability of their palm oil sources.

The research employed satellite pictures and advanced computer algorithms to measure the amount of trees lost due to the expansion of palm oil plantations in Guatemala between 2009 and 2019. Moreover, the scientists utilized records of shipments and various information sources to recreate the connection between global corporations and the deforestation caused by palm oil production.

The research discovered that:

In Guatemala, there are 22 administrative districts known as departamentos. This research honed in on a specific area spanning 20,850 square miles, encompassing three departamentos (Alta Verapaz, Izabal, and the southern portion of Petén). These three departamentos are responsible for producing 75% of Guatemala's palm oil.

The scientists made use of advanced satellite images to examine alterations in land usage from 2009 to 2019. By employing a state-of-the-art algorithm based on machine learning, they were able to differentiate between areas covered by forests and those occupied by monoculture plantations.

It was discovered that the expansion of oil palm plantations is intruding upon and resulting in the destruction of seven Critical Biodiversity Areas and 23 areas under protection where wildlife thrives.

In various regions that are affected, the Key Biodiversity Areas that have a significant number of palm trees are the Río La Pasión, Caribe de Guatemala, and the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve. The Río La Pasión specifically boasts a diverse range of fish species that are unique to the area, making it crucial for conservation efforts.

The intrusion of oil palm plantations into the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve puts at risk various creatures, including the quetzal bird, a symbol of Guatemala. Revered as a precious resource, the reserve holds immense value as a genetic reservoir for replanting tropical forests and agroforestry. Moreover, it serves as a lifeline for over 400,000 individuals, sustaining their livelihoods.

In the study, the scientists discovered a total of 119 plantations that were certified by RSPO, while 82 plantations had no RSPO certification. Throughout the research duration, it was observed that only 9% of the RSPO-certified plantations were responsible for forest loss, directly or indirectly. In contrast, a significantly higher percentage of 25% was found among the noncertified plantations that contributed to deforestation during their expansion.

According to Joshua Newell, a geographer and professor at the School for Environment and Sustainability, environmental certification does not adequately reduce the risk of deforestation. Therefore, companies should not count on certification to ensure their supply chains are free from deforestation.

Through the process of rebuilding the distribution networks of the three large companies, the scientists discovered associations with deforestation caused by the palm oil industry. Out of the total deforestation area of 60,810 acres that occurred due to palm oil production during the study timeframe, over 99% could be traced back to plantations that provided palm and palm-kernel oil to the factories utilized by two global conglomerates. Moreover, a significant portion of 72% of the palm and palm-kernel oil originated from the specific group of plantations that supplied the mills of another corporation.

According to VanderWilde, the impact of palm oil on Southeast Asia's forests and biodiversity has gained significant attention. However, there has been limited focus in research on the emerging areas where palm oil is produced and the problems associated with tracing its supply chain.

Currently, the environmental certification system asserts unsubstantiated assertions of 'sustainability' and falls short in its role as a dependable instrument for meeting the growing need to eradicate deforestation completely.

Additional details: The research conducted by Calli P. VanderWilde and colleagues explores the relationship between deforestation, certification, and the interconnected palm oil supply chains that span across Guatemala and global consumer markets. The findings of this study are published in the Journal of Environmental Management (2023) under the DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118505.

Title: Palm Oil Plantations and Forest Destruction in Guatemala: Labeling Products as 'Sustainable' Isn't the Ultimate Solution Introduction: According to a recent article titled "Palm oil plantations and deforestation in Guatemala: Certifying products as 'sustainable' is no panacea," a study has shed light on the alarming connection between palm oil plantations and deforestation in Guatemala. The research challenges the notion that certifying palm oil products as 'sustainable' is a complete remedy to this environmental crisis. Let's delve into the details and explore how this issue is far from being resolved. Summary: In a publication dated July 20, 2023, featured on Phys.org, the focus is on palm oil plantations and their detrimental impact on deforestation in Guatemala. The study cautions against placing unwavering trust in sustainability certifications as a sole solution to this problem. This blog post aims to present alternate phrasing for the main ideas discussed in the original article. Body: 1. Palm Oil Plantations and Environmental Devastation in Guatemala: The original article discloses the worrisome relationship between palm oil plantations and deforestation, which is negatively impacting Guatemala's natural landscape. The blog emphasizes the importance of understanding that simply labeling palm oil products and plantations as 'sustainable' is not the ultimate answer to safeguarding the environment. 2. Sustainable Certification: Not a Magical Cure: In contrast to the original piece's phrasing, it is critical to acknowledge that certifying palm oil as 'sustainable' should not be viewed as a panacea for the problem at hand. Instead, the study warns readers that the challenges posed by these plantations extend beyond the scope of sustainability certifications. 3. The Lingering Issue of Deforestation: Rather than exclusively blaming palm oil plantations for deforestation, the blog aims to highlight the complex nature of this issue. It suggests that a holistic understanding of the drivers of deforestation, such as land-use policies and economic factors, must be considered to effectively address the problem. 4. Raising Awareness and Taking Action: The revised version stresses the importance of raising awareness about the far-reaching consequences of palm oil production in Guatemala. It encourages readers to actively take a stand against both unsustainable palm oil practices and the misleading notion that certification alone can rectify the situation. Exploring alternative solutions and encouraging responsible consumer choices are among the suggestions put forward. Conclusion: The analysis of palm oil plantations and their link to deforestation in Guatemala is a subject that warrants substantial attention. This blog post rephrases the ideas originally presented in the article, emphasizing that while certifying palm oil products as 'sustainable' is a step in the right direction, it cannot be relied upon as a magical solution. Acknowledging the multifaceted causes of deforestation and promoting awareness and action are essential in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

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