The world’s largest producer is recruiting farmers, teachers and social media to counter negative sentiment
Palm oil industry labourers at work. Picture: 123RF/TAN KIAN YONGIndonesia’s giant palm oil industry, long a target of global green groups, is shoring up its defences closer to home as it tries to counter growing anti-palm oil sentiment among a more environmentally conscious generation of young Indonesians.
Indonesia has the world’s third-biggest rainforest area, vast wildernesses seen as crucial to limiting the effects of climate change, and home to vulnerable species including orang-utans, tigers and rhinoceros. “In my understanding, palm oil is the largest foreign exchange earner, but ... there’s also information that may be a bit negative,” said Sukiter, a teacher based in Yogyakarta city who attended the programme said.
In a survey of the two groups conducted by pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia, 95% of respondents are at least “a bit concerned” about climate issues — far more than older groups. “In the past two years, we’ve attracted this Gen Z group, which is a new generation of customers ... they are more driven by the environment,” Helga said. Previously, her clientele was mostly health conscious expatriates or upper-middle-class Indonesians.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ramaphosa appoints new NYDA board, first since May 2020After months of delays, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a new National Youth Development Agency board.
Read more »
Ramaphosa appoints new NYDA board, first since May 2020After months of delays, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a new National Youth Development Agency board.
Read more »
Ramaphosa appoints new NYDA boardRamaphosa described the new board as a diverse group of individuals, with varying skill sets and experience in youth development.
Read more »
Oil extends gains after unexpected drop in US stocksIndustry data shows crude stocks fell last week as travel demand picks up due to easing Covid-19 pandemic curbs
Read more »
Budget speech forecast: Economist expects more spending, no tax hikeEconomist Peter Baur expects more spending on social benefits when Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers the medium-term budget policy statement.
Read more »
Global markets steady as oil rallies ahead of US CPI dataUS prices for October are forecast to have risen well above the Fed’s target, but markets see this as temporary
Read more »