Best management practices and reducing climate impacts of

oil palm in peatlands

Suzana Mohkeri , Global Environment Centre

Results of workshop Organised by

Supported by

Objectives
Share information on the nature and impacts of development of
peatlands for palm oil plantation on biodiversity and climate
change and implications for biofuel production

Share experiences and best practices to minimize impacts

and maintain production of oil palm plantation on peatlands

Review options to rehabilitate degraded peatlands for

production and conservation purposes

Stakeholders
40 experts drawn from the following fields
peatland management
peatland greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
Oil palm industry
Biofuel Industry

Oil Palm in Peatlands

Oil palm is currently the main crop planted in

peatlands in Se Asia however development of oil
palm plantations in peatlands needs more
investment
Development of oil palm on peat also leads to a
number of environmental and social impacts.
Development of peatlands for oil palm is a
significant reason for peatland deforestation
and degradation in Se Asia

Impacts of oil palm

development on peat

Peatlands are cleared of their natural forest

cover and drained before cultivation of palm oil
Drainage dries out the peatlands and enhances
flooding in adjacent areas.
Once drained the peat soil rots down ( releasing
the stored carbon) and the ground subsides or
sinks.
In the dry season drained peatlands become
too dry and are vulnerable to fire.

Peat Fires in Plantations

South Selangor - 1997

Riau province, Sumatera - 24th Jan 2005

PKPS , Batang Berjuntai - 2002

Working Groups
Nature and options for reducing GHG Emission from
drained Peat
B.
Best Management Practices (BMP) for palm oil/biofuel
production on peat lands
C.
Options for restoration and utilization of degraded
peatlands and associated biodiversity
Discussion to develop :

consensus on key issues

identifying examples/case studies

areas of future action

A.

The meeting recognized that :

Peatlands are the most extensive natural wetland

ecosystems in Se Asia covering 30 million ha

The peatlands are of global significance for carbon

storage, climate regulation and biodiversity as well as
great importance for local communities.

Degradation of peatlands in the region has led to a loss

of natural benefits as well as significant problems with
fire, local and transboundary smoke haze as well as
major GHG emissions

( contd)

Oil Palm is one of the major crops in the region that

contributes significantly to socio-economic development.

Oil palm oil is preferably grown on mineral soils - in

Malaysia about 10% of the 4.2 million ha planted area is
currently on peat.

Demand for vegetable oil for food, industry and biofuel is

increasing worldwide and this is likely to act as a
stimulant for further expansion of palm oil in the region.

The RSPO Principals and Criteria for Sustainable Palm

oil form a key basis for promoting sustainable palm oil
production

Findings 1: Best Management Practices (BMP) for

palm oil/biofuel production on peatlands

BMP for plantations on peatlands begins with proper site

selection and Social and Environmental Impact assessment
(SEIA).
There is a need for wider assessment and distribution of
knowledge on peatland types suitable or unsuitable for oil palm
cultivation
Good implementation of effective water and fertiliser
management and Integrated Pest Management are essential.
There is a need for clear policy, planning and execution at the
national, regional and local level on peatlands
There are still many challenges with regards to oil palm
cultivation on peatlands and so further R&D and continuous
training are important.

Findings 2 - Nature and options for reducing GHG

Emission from drained Peat

Peatlands in SE Asia are globally important carbon stores, and

undisturbed peat swamp forests remove more CO2 from the
atmosphere than they release.

Peatlands developed for oil palm plantations lose their stored

carbon through GHG emissions with the rate of net loss
depending on the peat type and management conditions.

Options to reduce emissions from peatlands include:

Improved water management and fire prevention in existing
plantations,
Conserving and restoring peat swamp forest, and
Development of sustainable oil palm plantations in severely
degraded peatlands which may not be possible to be restored to
natural ecosystems

Cover crops to maintain soil moisture and prevent erosion

of peat

Zero burning and maintenance of high water

tables in Oil Palm on peat

Shredding

Planting Along
Windrowed Biomass

Holing

Planting Along
Drain Side

Integrated Pest management

Findings 3 - Options for restoration and utilization

of degraded peatlands and associated biodiversity.

Clearing of land leads to loss of habitat and

drainage canals cause habitat fragmentation and
limits wildlife movement.
Prioritization of sites and setting of objectives for
restoration should be conducted at the landscape
level prior to restoration efforts
Restoration should consider the consider the peat
basin as an ecological unit

Restoration of the hydrological functions is a key first

step for peatland restoration

Restoration or rehabilitation projects can help reduce

carbon emissions, conserve biodiversity and generate
benefits for local communities

It is extremely difficult to restore severely degraded

peatlands to its original natural state.

Peatland areas which are severely degraded and which

may not be possible to be restored to natural
ecosystems could be considered for conversion to palm
oil plantations or other crops.

Degradation level of peat swamp forests

1

Highest Degradation

High Degradation
4

Medium Degradation

Low Degradation

Rehabilitation of degraded peat area by CCFPI project, Kalimantan

Indonesia

MAY 2006

June 2004

Workshop recommendations

Case studies and best practices for the management

and restoration of peatlands should be documented and
widely disseminated
Improve efforts on existing plantations implement
RSPO P&C as well as other BMPs to enhance
productivity and sustainability
Identify options to fund the protection and rehabilitation
of peatlands
Undertake further R&D on specific areas
Relevant experts should continue to work together and
develop collaborative programmes with other
stakeholders including local communities

Conclusion

First attempt to have dialogue and develop a common

view on palm oil and peat conservation

There is an urgent need to assess the status of

degraded peatlands in South East Asia, level of
degradation and management options

On 22 November 2007, the RSPO General Assembly

adopted a revised Guidance for RSPO P&C which
recommended avoiding development of palm oil
plantations on peatland

THANK YOU