How do oil palm plantations affect forests in Indonesia and Malaysia?

The rapid expansion of the commercial oil palm industry since the late 20th century has been a primary driver of deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia.12

The ecological impacts of this expansion include:

• Habitat Fragmentation and Biodiversity Loss: The conversion of natural forests into monotypic oil palm plantations leads to the loss of critical habitat, threatening numerous native plant and animal species. Iconic species, such as Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, are particularly vulnerable to this loss of forest cover.12
• Slash-and-Burn Practices: New plantations are frequently established using slash-and-burn methods. These fires not only destroy vast areas of vegetation but also contribute to severe, seasonal air pollution and haze that can impact neighboring regions.1234
• Ecosystem Degradation: Unlike natural forests, these plantations lack biodiversity and fail to provide the same ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and soil stabilization, that are essential for environmental health.4

While efforts to certify sustainable palm oil exist, corporate support has been slow, leading some environmental groups to advocate for the avoidance of products containing palm oil.2