This paper reviews and evaluates the sustainability of oil palm plantations in Malaysia, encompassing the aspects of environmental, social and economic performances. It also provides recommendations for improving the sustainability of the plantations. The review involves examination of the existing literature and reports in the genres of environmental, social and economic sustainability of oil palm plantations, where environmental sustainability is further divided into the themes of biodiversity, deforestation, environmental pollution and peatland conversion. The outcomes of the review are then evaluated using the popular models of weak and strong sustainability. Recommendations for sustainable practices of the oil palm sector at planning, policy-making and implementation levels are also made. The review shows that oil palm plantations have lower biodiversity compared to logged over forests and are not solely to be blamed for deforestation in Malaysia, particularly before 1985 during which logging was active. The expansion of oil palm plantations has nonetheless caused environmental pollution and catalyzed the conversion of peatlands. Socially, while benefiting smallholders by improving their incomes, oil palm plantations have drawn in large number of foreign workers and this potentially gives rise to the issues of welfare, human right, equity and demographic change. Oil palms have significantly contributed to the Malaysian economy and are highly productive. Biodiversity and environmental management, sustainability certification, increased social corporate responsibility and review of employment policy are perceived to be beneficial for oil palm sustainability.

中文翻译：

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马来西亚油棕种植园的可持续性

本文回顾和评估了马来西亚油棕种植园的可持续性，包括环境、社会和经济表现的各个方面。它还为改善种植园的可持续性提供了建议。审查涉及检查油棕种植园环境、社会和经济可持续性方面的现有文献和报告，其中环境可持续性进一步分为生物多样性、森林砍伐、环境污染和泥炭地转化等主题。然后使用流行的弱可持续性和强可持续性模型评估审查结果。还就油棕行业在规划、决策和实施层面的可持续做法提出了建议。审查表明，油棕种植园的生物多样性与砍伐的森林相比较低，不仅要归咎于马来西亚的森林砍伐，尤其是在 1985 年之前，伐木活动很活跃。尽管如此，油棕种植园的扩张造成了环境污染并催化了泥炭地的转化。在社会方面，油棕种植园在通过提高收入使小农受益的同时，吸引了大量外国工人，这可能会引发福利、人权、公平和人口变化等问题。油棕为马来西亚经济做出了重大贡献，并且产量很高。生物多样性和环境管理、可持续性认证、