Oil Palm cultivation has entered a new era where enviromental issues have to be taken into account in order to reach an acceptable level of sustainability. The purpose of this conference is to contribute to an in depth analysis of the issues related to one of the three pillars of sustainability, i.e. the environment.

Legislations relating to the enviromental issues are becoming increasingly more demanding and stringent. Several initiatives, encompassing issues and activities relating to new oil palm developments and current practices in the plantation and mills, have been undertaken to define and estabblish principles and criteria for sustainability. This new directions is affecting all proucing countries, wether there are dominant in the international market, or focusing on domestic consumption.

Not all stakeholders of the oil palm industry are fully aware of changes that are expected from planters and millers. More importantly, implementation and monitoring of these new practices are not always well understood and well mastered.

One has to acknowledge, the oil per Ha for oil palm is significantly higher when compared to other oil seeds. It is hoped that environmental organization will realize that the petroleum industry will gradually be replaced by the biofuel industry complemented with the carbon credits that it can earn.

All enviromental issues will be highlighted, The conference will also be the place for sharing experience on possible solutions and resources for the benefit of the environment, but also for the industry itself in terms of efficiency.