Atmosphere Ocean Science Colloquium

---

Does sustainability certification address conservation goals in the oil palm sector?

Speaker: Kim Carlson, Environmental Studies, NYU

Location: Warren Weaver Hall 1302

Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 3:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

Private environmental governance of commodity sourcing that endangers tropical forests has grown rapidly over the last ten years. Participation in these governance initiatives that include sustainability certification systems requires that commodity producers avoid clearing forests. While definitions and methods for identification of such forests vary widely, the High Conservation Value (HCV) methodology is often used to identify lands designated for protection. However, it remains uncertain to what extent HCV areas contribute to the conservation goals of these governance initiatives, and whether such “corporate protected areas” offer additional conservation benefits beyond public protected areas. In this seminar, I will discuss research that leverages econometric and geospatial analyses to evaluate the effects of oil palm sustainability certification on forest cover and other conservation targets (e.g., biodiversity) in Indonesia. Findings provide insight into the spatio-temporal footprint of supply chain conservation policies and inform efforts to adapt these policies to more effectively conserve ecosystems in commodity production landscapes.