This talk will present the Olam Palm Gabon plantations, the world’s first independently verified climate-positive palm plantations, which have catalysed a multi-stakeholder initiative for sustainable agriculture, including a national land use plan and enabling regulatory framework, in the world’s most rainforest-rich nation. Palm oil is the world’s most controversial crop, but beyond the polemic, what can we learn from Gabon as a model for sustainable African agriculture? This study case provides lessons for jurisdictional approaches, large scale spatial carbon and biodiversity surveys, land access rights and community development. This talk will challenge preconceptions about palm oil, showcase the new African model of plantations, and seek partners from civil society and investors for carbon, biodiversity and socially positive, certified outgrower and smallholder programmes.

Host: Christopher Stewart