Sustainable palm oil may not be so sustainable

The globalization of the palm oil trade poses a menace to the ecosystem integrity of Southeast Asia. In this short communication, we briefly discuss why palm oil certifications may have failed as an effective means to halt forest degradation and biodiversity loss. From a comparison of multiple new datasets, we analysed recent tree loss in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea, and discovered that, from 2001 to 2016, about 40% of the area located in certified concessions suffered from habitat degradation, deforestation, fires, or other tree damages. Certified concessions have been subject to more tree removals than non-certified ones. We also detect significant tree loss before and after the start of certification schemes. Beyond non-governmental organisations' concern that Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG) certifications allow ongoing clearance of any forest not identified as of high conservation values (HCV) or high carbon stock (HCS), we suggest an alarming and previously overlooked situation, such as that current “sustainable palm oil” is often associated with recent habitat degradation and forest loss. In other words, certified palm oil production may not be so sustainable. [Display omitted] •The significant forest loss and ecosystem degradation caused by palm oil have attracted attention worldwide.•Although some of the palm oil production has been certified as sustainable, concerns emerge.•From 2001 to 2016 in about 40% of the area located in certified palm oil concessions there is evidence of forest loss.•We detect significant tree loss before and after the start of certification schemes.•Certified concessions do not differ much from non-certified ones in terms of forest degradation.