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<p>The transition towards sustainable palm oil in Indonesia is a critical yet unresolved challenge at the intersection of environmental protection, social justice, governance, and global trade. Although the number of studies continues to grow, existing research generally examines these aspects separately, resulting in a fragmented understanding of the complex dynamics driving the shift towards more sustainable palm oil. This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review (SLR) of 55 articles published between 2010 and 2026, selected from the Scopus and Web of Science databases in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. Rather than relying solely on a thematic approach, this review reorganises the literature into four interrelated transition pathways: governance and institutions, market access and global trade, socio-economic transitions of smallholders, and environmental–ecological transitions. The findings demonstrate that the sustainability transition of Indonesia’s palm oil sector does not occur in a linear or sectoral manner but is shaped by interconnections among transition pathways that continually influence one another. Global market pressures and international regulations drive changes in governance and sustainability certification, while simultaneously creating new challenges for smallholders and the competitiveness of domestic industries. The study also finds that the primary sustainability challenges do not stem from a lack of policy instruments, but rather from weak policy integration, institutional fragmentation, unequal distribution of benefits, and limited implementation capacity at the local level. The findings emphasise that the sustainability of Indonesia’s palm oil sector should be understood as a multidimensional process involving the simultaneous negotiation of economic, social, political, and ecological interests. Therefore, the sustainability transition requires a more integrative cross-sectoral approach, including strengthening land governance, harmonising sustainability regulations, protecting smallholders, developing downstream industries, and integrating trade and environmental policies.</p>

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Governing sustainability transitions in Indonesia’s palm oil sector: a systematic review of transition pathways

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Fatima Tuzzahara Alkaf,
  • Helena Varkkey,
  • Evelyn S. Devadason,
  • Santha Chenayah

摘要

The transition towards sustainable palm oil in Indonesia is a critical yet unresolved challenge at the intersection of environmental protection, social justice, governance, and global trade. Although the number of studies continues to grow, existing research generally examines these aspects separately, resulting in a fragmented understanding of the complex dynamics driving the shift towards more sustainable palm oil. This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review (SLR) of 55 articles published between 2010 and 2026, selected from the Scopus and Web of Science databases in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. Rather than relying solely on a thematic approach, this review reorganises the literature into four interrelated transition pathways: governance and institutions, market access and global trade, socio-economic transitions of smallholders, and environmental–ecological transitions. The findings demonstrate that the sustainability transition of Indonesia’s palm oil sector does not occur in a linear or sectoral manner but is shaped by interconnections among transition pathways that continually influence one another. Global market pressures and international regulations drive changes in governance and sustainability certification, while simultaneously creating new challenges for smallholders and the competitiveness of domestic industries. The study also finds that the primary sustainability challenges do not stem from a lack of policy instruments, but rather from weak policy integration, institutional fragmentation, unequal distribution of benefits, and limited implementation capacity at the local level. The findings emphasise that the sustainability of Indonesia’s palm oil sector should be understood as a multidimensional process involving the simultaneous negotiation of economic, social, political, and ecological interests. Therefore, the sustainability transition requires a more integrative cross-sectoral approach, including strengthening land governance, harmonising sustainability regulations, protecting smallholders, developing downstream industries, and integrating trade and environmental policies.