Sustainability, is a holistic concept, and encompasses three key
elements, often referred to as the 3Ps. – the people, planet and profit.
These key concepts are derived from the ‘Brundtland Commission’
(Brundtland, 1987) which stated that “sustainable development seeks to
meet the needs and aspirations of the present generation without
compromising the ability to meet the needs of those in the future.”
Based on this definition, sustainability is all about the efficient
management of present resources to meet future needs. In the context of
the Malaysian oil palm industry, “sustainability is all about the
long-term security of the supply chain if the oil palm business is to
continue with brand values and consumer trust. The Malaysian oil palm
industry strives to strike a holistic balance between social,
environmental and economic needs of country and people by in addressing
the need for
- Social development of the Malaysian people
- Conservation and management of the environment
- Ensuring progress of the nation as a whole via economic development
Proper management of natural resources would help protect their
biological production potential and help maintain future options for
their use. Indeed, a major objective of sustainable land management is
the harmonization of agricultural priorities with economic and
environmental concerns (Dumanski and Smyth, 1993).
Sustainability Of The Oil Palm Industry In Malaysia
Given the holistic approach of the Malaysian government
and the country’s oil palm industry towards sustainability, it is
essential to consider how the 3Ps, namely People, Planet and Profits
are addressed.
