IUCN Oil Crops Inter-Commission
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN Oil Crops Inter-Commission

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Overview and description

Description:

Vegetable oil crops, the main focus of the Oil Crops Task Force, cover some 425 mha of agricultural land. Crops like oil palm are considered a threat to over 300 species listed as Vulnerable ...

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Vegetable oil crops, the main focus of the Oil Crops Task Force, cover some 425 mha of agricultural land. Crops like oil palm are considered a threat to over 300 species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered, but all oil crops threaten species where they displace natural ecosystems. At the same time, some crops, especially the perennial crops like oil palm, coconut and olive, can provide habitat to some species. Improved practices are needed for all crops, while their different yields require land that is optimally allocated to oil production to meet growing demand. The Oil Crops Task Force focuses on conducting scientific research to inform the debate about the sustainability of vegetable oil crops.

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Group leadership

Prof Erik MEIJAARD
Co-Chair
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Malika VIRAH-SAWMY
Co-Chair
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More about the Task Force

The Oil Crops Task Force (OCTF) aims to inform the debate on the sustainability of vegetable oil crops, using the latest research and scientific information, and give guidance to, for example, IUCN about its policies and strategies that affect or are affected by oil palm and other oil crops. We aim to make use of IUCN’s extensive knowledge networks on biodiversity and environmental issues, social, economic and cultural issues, and policy to comprehensively guide ...

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More about the Task Force

The Oil Crops Task Force (OCTF) aims to inform the debate on the sustainability of vegetable oil crops, using the latest research and scientific information, and give guidance to, for example, IUCN about its policies and strategies that affect or are affected by oil palm and other oil crops. We aim to make use of IUCN’s extensive knowledge networks on biodiversity and environmental issues, social, economic and cultural issues, and policy to comprehensively guide thinking on the complex issues of agro-industrial and small-holder oil palm in the world’s tropical regions. The OCTF will act as an authoritative advisory body on oil palm and how this relates to global sustainability objectives, and an intermediary between the oil palm industry, the IUCN network, and the other stakeholders in the oil palm discussions.

Our mission is to strengthen the use of different forms of knowledge about the environmental and social impacts and benefits of vegetable oils in policy decisions, whether for sustainable production, consumption, or trade. We aim to realise this by harnessing trusted messengers and accessible and evidence-based messages.

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Task Force Work

The Oil Crops Task Force focuses on conducting scientific research to inform the debate about the sustainability of vegetable oil crops.

Learn about OCTF’s work and results in 2023.

2023 OCTF Annual Report

Previous reports:

2022 OCTF Annual Report
2021 OCTF Annual Report
2020 OCTF Annual Report
2019 OCTF Annual Report 
2018 OCTF Annual Report
2016-2017 OCTF Annual Report

 

OCTF Annual Report

Oil palm landscape in Kalimantan. Photo by Douglas Sheil

Photo: Douglas Sheil

Oil palm is highly controversial, hated by many environmentalists for its impact on tropical forests and species, and loved by many others for its socio-economic benefits in tropical producer countries. Truck and oil palm fruit loading facilities in West Kalimantan. Photo by Douglas Sheil.

Photo: Douglas Sheil

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