The growing demand for palm oil is adding to the already severe pressure on remaining rainforest areas of the world, and is threatening the survival of species such as the orang-utan, the Sumatran tiger, rhino and elephant. Forest loss and the draining of peatlands for palm oil plantations is also contributing to climate change and displacing local people who rely on the forest for food and shelter.
The report finds that economic benefits outweigh the financial costs of pursuing sustainable palm oil operations. 
“Our research found that many firms who switched to producing sustainable palm oil – which is good for people and the environment – reaped significant return on their investments,” said WWF’s Joshua Levin, the report’s lead author. “In some cases, switching to sustainable production was economically transformative for the business. Producers, buyers, and investors should see sustainable palm oil as a serious business opportunity.” ‘This study shows that getting RSPO certified makes good business sense as well as good environmental and social sense for growers. WWF hopes that the findings will persuade all producers to join the RSPO and to start getting certified.” added Adam Harrison, WWF’s representative on the Executive Board of the RSPO. “But the responsibility for making the industry sustainable also lies with those companies that buy and use palm oil. WWF urges them to immediately commit to increase purchases of certified sustainable palm oil and to ensure that 100% of their palm oil use is certified by 2015.”