The palm oil trifecta.

Environmental sustainability is not an active part of the narrative for emerging markets. In developing countries where human rights atrocities are swept under the rug, taking care of the environment is not high up the totem pole.

While in Pakistan, all trees are good trees, palm oil plantations have been accused of deforestation which endangers habitats of flora, fauna and animals. The charge of pollution has also been laid at its door since palm oil diesel releases up to three times as many emissions compared to traditional petroleum-based fuel.

The EU is a major importer of palm oil, and as a bloc made of developed nations, cares about sustainability a whole lot. Since it is making efforts to source fuel sustainably, palm oil by-products are not acceptable, a case that is being duelled out in the World Trade Organisation.

Though Indonesia is the biggest palm oil exporter, the forces behind it are Malaysian and Singaporean private investors with connections with Indonesian authorities. According to one...