Ada Acobta Dissertation Defense
Title: Impacts of Palm Oil Trade on Ecosystem Services
Abstract: Agriculture plays a pivotal role in sustaining human populations, providing food, fiber, and livelihoods for billions of people worldwide. However, the agricultural sector is also a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for 18.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world faces the urgent challenge of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2°C, it is imperative to address the impacts of agricultural practices that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Within this broader agricultural context, the palm oil industry stands out due to its extensive environmental footprint. The expansion of palm oil plantations has been linked to deforestation, habitat loss, and significant greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate climate change. This is because oil palm only grows along the equatorial belt, which has a hot and humid climate favorable for oil palm growth. But it also harbors the tropical rainforest, which is being cut down to plant and expand oil palm. Despite palm oil’s economic importance, particularly in poor tropical regions, there is a notable gap in research quantifying the impacts of palm oil trade on ecosystem services. These services, such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation, nutrient retention and erosion control, are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and resilience in the face of climate change. Addressing this gap is essential for developing sustainable practices and policies that mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of palm oil production. By examining the intricate relationships between palm oil trade, ecosystem services, and carbon emissions, this research aims to provide data-driven insights to inform effective measures and policies for sustainable palm oil production. Implementing these measures is not only crucial for climate change mitigation but also for ensuring ecosystems resilience, contributing to a sustainable and climate-resilient future.