Enhancing sustainability in the palm oil industry: Stakeholder perspectives on navigating transitions in times of crisis

Major - Smith, Katie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3700-9239, Borne, Gregory ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8227-9679, Wallis, Laura and Cotton, Debby ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7675-8211 (2026) Enhancing sustainability in the palm oil industry: Stakeholder perspectives on navigating transitions in times of crisis. Working Paper. OSF, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

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Abstract / Summary

In times of multiples crisis, navigating sustainability transitions becomes increasingly challenging. Mitigating the environmental crisis caused by conventional palm oil requires global growth of sustainable palm oil, yet progress promoting this sustainability transition is slow. This study examined the motivations and challenges stakeholders experience supporting sustainable palm oil, and the critical changes needed to increase growth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 respondents representing certifying bodies, consumers, food manufacturers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), retailers, and producers and processors, and analysed through the Multi-Level Perspective. Findings suggest that stakeholder support is driven by landscape level pressures, predominantly consumer expectations and NGO influences, and regime level incentives, including support for the industry’s sustainability transition and associated business benefits. However, stakeholder support is constrained by regime level restrictions, including lack of demand, reputational risks and limitations of existing certification schemes. To overcome these barriers, three interrelated transition pathways are suggested: 1) strengthening governance mechanisms and enhancing regulatory efficacy to effectively support sustainable palm oil production at the regime level; 2) more effective communication strategies outlining the benefits and significance of sustainable palm oil to support positive pressure at the landscape level; and 3) stimulating consumer demand to support growth and diffusion of sustainable palm oil more widely beyond the niche level. By applying the Multi-Level Perspective and situating stakeholders’ insights into this framework, this study contributes to understanding the dynamic factors influencing adoption and expansion of sustainable palm oil, and identifies key leverage points for accelerating a sustainable transition of this agrifood system.

Item Type:	Report or Working Paper (Working Paper)
Subjects:	Business Business > Management Social Sciences Sustainability & Environment
Department:	Cornwall Business School
Depositing User:	Greg Borne
Date Deposited:	14 May 2026 09:27
Last Modified:	14 May 2026 09:27
URI:	https://repository.falmouth.ac.uk/id/eprint/6474

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