In episode two of China Dialogue's podcast series, Palm Oil Frontiers, Lise Josefsen Hermann visits Manabí province in Ecuador to find out if it’s really possible to produce palm oil sustainably.

The narrative around palm oil has long been extremely negative. For many, the commodity is inextricably connected with deforestation and habitat destruction, especially in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It is however an incredibly useful and efficient oil crop. As such, most involved in the oil palm sector argue that we shouldn’t be trying to get rid of it, but rather to find ways to grow it sustainably. Leading the way in this effort is the Netherlands-based company Natural Habitats, set up in 2009 with the aim of proving that palm oil can be produced in a manner that helps rather than harms the environment, and also benefits local communities. The company started its work in Ecuador where it currently has 79 small-scale suppliers, all of whom it has helped gain certification under a wide range of organic and sustainable standards. It’s an inspiring initiative, but is Natural Habitats doing everything it says it’s doing? And can such a small company set an example that the rest of the industry can realistically follow? 

For more, see the show notes: https://chinadialogue.net/en/food/palm-oil-frontiers-squeaky-clean/ 

Credits:

Producer and host: Lise Josefsen Hermann

Commissioning editor: Lizi Hesling

Sound design: Alyssa Moxley

Art work: Nahal Sheikh

Interview dubs: Joe Coroneo-Seaman, Charlie Goodson, Lizi Hesling

Thanks to: Blanca Moncada, Josie Phillips, Jessica Aldred

Music:

“Morning Glare” by Blue Dot Sessions
Source: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/123520 Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

“Our Only Lark” by Blue Dot Sessions
Source: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/123521
Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

“Pacific Time” by Blue Dot Sessions
Source: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/123522
Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

“Fissure Forming" by Blue Dot Sessions
Source: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/123523  
Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

“Cold and Hard” by Blue Dot Sessions
Source: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/123524
Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

“A Calendar Spread” by Blue Dot Sessions
Source: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/123525
Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/