Beyond the Water Greedy Myth: A Review of Oil Palm, Transpiration, Evapotranspiration, and Watershed Hydrology for Global ESG and SDG Policy Advocacy

This journal revisits the narrative that oil palm is a "water-intensive" crop by examining evidence on transpiration, evapotranspiration, and watershed hydrology. Through a qualitative literature review of recent scientific studies and policy documents, this study shows that oil palm indeed uses a large amount of water, similar to other productive perennial crops, but is not generally proven to be the most "water-greedy" commodity intrinsically. Hydrological impacts are more determined by land conversion methods, peat drainage, soil compaction, loss of riparian zones, plantation roads, as well as waste and nutrient management. The implication is that ESG, SDGs, EUDR policies, and certification need to shift from commodity stigma towards measurable indicators such as deforestation-free, peat protection, water quality, runoff control, and smallholder inclusion.