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Sustainable Palm Oil
The World Resources Institute has proposed a unique solution to the complex task of developing and managing sustainable palm oil operations. Their solution is called Project Potico. Here is an introduction:
Diverting oil palm plantations onto degraded lands in Indonesia to combat illegal logging, protect the environment, and create sustainable livelihoods.
Indonesia’s tropical forests are being cleared at a record rate, with oil palm plantations emerging as a major threat. One consequence of this deforestation is that Indonesia is now, according to some estimates, the third largest global emitter of greenhouse gases. Although the country may have 15-20 million hectares of degraded land, oil palm—as well as timber and rubber—plantations continue to push into virgin forests.
- Read our Frequently Asked Questions about Project POTICO
In partnership with NewPage Corporation, WRI is spearheading a new project in Indonesia called “POTICO” (Palm Oil, TImber, Carbon Offsets) to curb new oil palm plantations from clearing virgin or primary forests. The project will convene and lead a number of partners to implement land swaps that divert planned oil palm plantations onto degraded lands and bring the forests that were slated for conversion into sustainable management. The strategy would relieve pressure on virgin forests and curb illegal logging. As a result, the strategy would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve the country’s biodiversity, and enhance sustainable livelihoods of local people.
For more information, please visit the World Resources Institute article on Project Potico »
