Whether in ice cream, pizza, chocolate or biodiesel, palm oil is one of the world's most versatile plant-based oils. That makes it one of the most important raw materials for the bio-based economy. Demand today is higher than ever. About 60 million tonnes of palm oil and palm-kernel oil are produced annually. The area cultivated worldwide is 17 million hectares, about half the land mass of Germany. Around 1.8 million tonnes of palm oil are consumed each year here. The lion's share, 41 per cent, is used in the manufacturing of biodiesel. A further 40 per cent flows into food and feed products. 17 per cent is used for drugs and cleaning agents.

For years, environmental activists have warned that the growing demand for this plant is damaging human beings and the environment alike. Deforestation in order to make way for new areas of cultivation in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, where the need for the majority of the world's supply of palm oil is met, is leading to the extinction of many animal species such as orang-utans, as well as displacing local populations.

Alternative species of plants are little better

For the first time, environmental protection organisation WWF has undertaken a study on the ecological consequences for Germany of doing without palm oil or of replacing it with other plant species. The authors of this WWF study, "Auf der Ölspur", which was completed by consultation firm Agripol, came to the conclusion: There is no future without palm oil. It was noted in particular that replacing it with other plant-based oils without proper consideration would only displace the problem and might even make it worse.

Higher demand for agricultural land and increased C02 emissions

Palm-oil plants have an enormous yield of 3.3 tonnes per hectare. Rapeseed, coconut and sunflower plants produce only around 0.7 tonnes per hectare. According to the study, more land would be required for cultivation if coconut or soya oil were to replace palm oil. In turn, that would mean an increase in emissions of carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas, as well as endangering various animal and plant species.

Time for a change of tack

The authors of the report believe that it would be less damaging to global biodiversity if plants native to Germany such as rapeseed or sunflowers were used for oil. Even if that were to occur, however, there would still be limited land available for cultivation, it was found. WWF therefore sees only one way forward: the cultivation of palm-oil plants must be "environmentally and socially responsible in all cases". They are therefore demanding that politics and society urgently get to grips with the ecological, economic and social changes necessary to ensure that. According to them, not only the methods of growing palm oil have to change, but also how it is consumed.

No palm oil as biofuel and less snacking

The suggestion: no more palm oil as biofuel and a more informed approach towards consuming chocolate, crisps and so on. That would lead to a reduction of almost 50 per cent in Germany's palm-oil consumption. WWF representatives are also demanding that the government impose stricter rules on importers of palm oil regarding ecological and social sustainability criteria and completely halt the use of palm oil as a biofuel. Companies should be required to change to 100 per cent certified-sustainable palm oil with immediate effect, binding suppliers to that obligation. They should also be required to participate in initiatives such as the "Forum nachhaltiges Palmöl" (Sustainable palm oil forum) and the "Palm Oil Innovators Group".