Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Intersection Of Crude Palm Oil & Deforestation: A Sustainability Analysis, Amelia Olsen

Honors Projects in Science and Technology

In recent years, palm oil has gained international attention as an efficient, versatile, and inexpensive oil, and is now an ingredient in 50% of items in the grocery store. As a result, there has been an increase in complaints regarding the environmental impact stemming from the production of palm oil, including those of deforestation and harmful emissions. In response to these complaints, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was created to certify palm oil that meets certain criteria, (including being produced without an element of deforestation) as sustainable. Now, the RSPO certifies over 3.09 million hectares of palm oil …