Environmental conflicts often happen where hybrid co-productions of nature-cultures making up human consumption patterns are revealed and renegotiated. Oil palm expansion is an example of such a global socio-ecological conflict. Often linked to Indonesia and Malaysia, oil palm in rapidly expanding in the Amazon Basin in regions where the actual implementations of policy is often far removed from the theoretical policy framework. The trajectory of oil palm expansion in Peru differs from that of other countries and is produced upon a unique history and political economy. Knowledge of the impacts on biodiversity, deforestation, and local livelihoods of oil palm expansion is not well researched within the Latin American context. This case study of the Plantaciones de Pucallpa palm oil plantation conflict in Ucayali, Peru, seeks to understand how different groups understand palm oil expansion, their own perception of the causes and drivers, and the significance for them, their identity and their livelihood. Understanding the lived experience within the theoretical policy framework of those most affected by commodity frontier expansion does much to help us understand the multiple and complex effects and ultimately helps us design strategies for more sustainable and just resource management.
