FOE, 2008
Malaysian palm oil: Green gold or green wash
Biofuels are promoted as a viable way of reducing the world’s dependency on fossil fuels. It is claimed that biofuels contribute to net reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transport sector, relative to fossil fuel. However, scientific studies demonstrate that biofuel production can trigger volumes of GHG emissions that are well beyond emissions saved from replaced fossil fuels, especially when biofuel crops replace, either directly or indirectly, forests or are grown on peat lands. It is critical that the benefits of biofuels are also weighed against the impacts on local communities, the environment, and governance in the countries where biofuel crops are grown. This report challenges Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) "green" claims, so as to prevent decision makers, including consumers, from being misled.
