<P> Biodiesel made from palm oil grown on sustainable non-forest land and from established plantations reduces greenhouse gas emissions . According to Greenpeace, clearing peatland to plant oil palms releases large amounts of greenhouse gasses, and that biodiesel produced from oil palms grown on this land may not result in a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions . However, research by Malaysia's Tropical Peat Research Unit has found that oil palm plantations developed on peatland produce lower carbon dioxide emissions than forest peat swamp . However, it has been suggested that this research unit was commissioned by politicians who have interests in the palm oil industry . </P> <P> In 2011, eight of Malaysia's Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) plantations were certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System (ISCC), becoming part of Asia's first ISCC certified supply and production chain for palm biodiesel . This certification system complies with the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (RED). In 2012, the European Commission approved the RSPO's biofuel certification scheme allowing certified sustainable palm oil biofuel to be sold in Europe . </P> <P> The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), founded in 2004, works to promote the production of sustainably sourced palm oil through involvement with growers, processors, food companies, investors and NGOs . Beginning in 2008, palm oil that meets RSPO introduced standards has been designated "certified sustainable palm oil" (CSPO). Within two years of implementation, CSPO - designated palm oil comprised 7 percent of the global palm oil market . As of October 2012, 12 percent of palm oil has been certified by the RSPO . However, in the first year of CSPO certification only 30 percent of sustainable oil was marketed as CSPO . </P> <P> In The Economist in 2010, the RSPO was criticized for not setting standards for greenhouse - gas emissions for plantations and because its members account for only 40 percent of palm oil production . In a 2007 report, Greenpeace was critical of RSPO - member food companies saying that they are "dependent on suppliers that are actively engaged in deforestation and the conversion of peatlands". </P>

What impact does palm oil have on the environment