Palm oil: a controversial commodity

For some, palm oil is a versatile and eco-friendly way to power the world. It’s used in various industries, and it can be found in products ranging from biofuel, cosmetics to food. Using palm oil can indeed slash CO2 emissions generated by harmful fossil fuels. But critics say palm oil does as much damage as it does good: often, entire swathes of rainforest are razed to make way for palm oil plantations. This week, we take a look at the demand for the plentiful plant and how it can be produced sustainably.