Can regenerative agriculture make palm oil sustainable?

The article highlights the environmental concerns arising from the expansion of oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia, which have led to the destruction of biodiverse rainforests and peatlands, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and the decline of endemic species. In response, the industry and academic community are advocating for sustainable farming strategies and practices to reduce the environmental impact. One such initiative is the introduction of 'tree islands' within oil palm plantations, which has shown to restore ecosystems and biodiversity without affecting crop yields. Other initiatives include riparian restoration, understory vegetation strategies, and grazing plantations with livestock. These practices aim to promote soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce reliance on agrochemicals. Despite these advancements, scaling these practices across the industry remains a challenge, with a call for incorporating agroforestry strategies into certification schemes and more detailed guidelines from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).