In some parts of the world, palm oil has been responsible for extensive deforestation. At Daabon UK, we do things differently – and all our responsibly sourced palm oil is deforestation free. Find out why that’s so important.
Trees are an essential part of our ecosystem. In addition to giving us the crucial oxygen needed to live, they also store carbon, stabilise soil and help offset our carbon emissions.
Despite their integral role in nature and their direct relationship to us, trees are not being treated with the care or respect they deserve. Deforestation across the globe is a huge problem, sacrificing the long-term benefits of standing trees for fleeting gain.
In this blog we’ll be exploring the reasons for the destruction of forests, and taking a closer look at we’re doing to mitigate this in order to secure a greener, and more sustainable future.
The Scale of Global Deforestation
Over the last 50 years, approximately 17% of the Amazonian rainforest has been destroyed and these losses are on the rise. Since 1990 the world has lost 420 million hectares of forest, and two-third of global forest cover loss is occurring predominately in the tropics and sub-tropics for reasons such as agriculture, livestock grazing and settlement.
This mass clearance of trees has grave consequences for wildlife and the surrounding environment. More than half the world’s land-based plants animals – as well as three-quarters of all birds, live in and around forests, whilst rainforests play a pivotal role in storing and absorbing carbon dioxide.
Trees influence rainfall patterns, water and soil quality and flood prevention, meaning that communities who live in, or rely on forests to make a living are financially and physically effected by deforestation.
Palm Oil
Palm oil has historically been associated with deforestation, especially in South East Asia, and is often seen as one of the worst culprits of all crops for clearing trees.
However, palm is also the most efficient vegetable oil crop, producing more oil per land area than any of the alternatives. This means that rather than boycott the crop entirely, it’s far more sensible and practical to find more sustainable ways to source and produce it.
Responsibly Sourced Palm Oil - Planting Roots
If society is to achieve Net Zero and deliver a more environmentally-conscious future, it’s essential that trees are prioritised and protected. Spaces must be found for them to grow and thrive in, and deforestation must be stopped and replaced with a sustainable alternative.
At Daabon UK, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and we are continually looking for new ways to minimise the impact that our operations have on the planet.
This includes acknowledging trees as one of earth’s most valuable natural resources, and doing everything we can to protect and preserve them through several of our sustainability policies.
Responsibly Sourced Palm Oil - Zero Deforestation Policy
We have a zero deforestation commitment and a strict policy to protect our home-land and its local habitat.
The land in the Santa Marta region where we operate has over a century’s worth of agricultural history with the region developed on the back of cattle rearing and various crops. We know how important this history is to local communities, and the responsibility we have in making sure we work in an ethical and moral way.
To demonstrate our commitment to sustainability we made a pledge to protect and preserve any small tracts of remaining primary and secondary forest in the region. This keeps the habitats of our wildlife from harm and enables them to continue neutralise and protect the proliferation of pests to our crops.
Sustainable Palm Oil - No Peat and No Fire
Our sustainability commitments go beyond the tree, and permeate deep into the land and soil, too. We treat our land with the utmost respect, driven by a desire to avoid the two major issues that have led palm oil being seen as unsustainable, specifically: planting in peat, and burning the fields.
We have a zero peat and zero fire commitment, an neither of these things happen in out operations, but we nevertheless have an exhaustive monitoring program in place to ensure that our own production and extraction mills – plus the practices of the smallholders who are in our supply chain are fully compliant with international safety and sustainability standards.
Find Out More
Defending the earth’s land and trees has never been more important. The goals outlined by the recent COP26 summit have reiterated the need for change and action in the battle against climate change, and the end of deforestation is imperative.
Daabon is one of the world’s leading suppliers of organic sustainable palm oil, providing a wide range of certified sustainable, identity preserved palm oil products for a full range of applications.
To find out more about our product or to enquire about orders, please contact us here.