Photo: Zero carbon efforts in the palm oil sector tend to be more collective and transformative
PAPUA – Fourth most populous nation and emerging economy Indonesia plays key role in global warming reduction and climate change mitigation efforts.
To ensure results, its government has introduced a string of environmental-supporting rules and policies, but this needs the backing of private companies, especially given their huge economic contribution and immense capacity to invest in eco-friendly, modern technology like renewable plants, EVs, and energy efficiency methods and tools.
Fortunately, a race is ongoing in the sector to reach net zero goals and meet national commitment to climate crisis prevention, said Tunas Sawa Erma Group (TSE Group)’s Director Luwy Leunufna, who agreed with the urgency for private participation.
“Adapting needs time and innovation, but long term it would make our business more sustainable [and on the other hand] promote cost efficiency and compliance with regulations at home and abroad. With new technology [derived from innovation processes], we aim to elevate our status [in the industry and product] quality.”
The oil palm plantation operator has joined the fight against global heating, having developed its own Net Zero Emissions commitment with the help of SBTi — a global initiative trusted by businesses seeking standards, tools, and guidance to define greenhouse gas emissions control objectives.
This very commitment allows TSE Group to begin its switch from fossils to renewables and slash chemical fertilizer use by raising that of biochar, compost from plant residue, and empty fruit bunches. This is in addition to the company’s plan to install solar panels for lighting plantation roads.
And also, a biogas power plant turning palm oil mill effluent (POME) or liquid palm oil waste into an energy source. From the site’s open pools, this highly viscous wastewater will be generating methane (CH4) to power TSE Group’s facilities.
“We’re building a biogas plant, whose initial investments are obviously high but would really help cut fuel oil used in machines and lighting at our farms and mills by long-term. The plant’s integration with Bio-CNG production would be [really] beneficial in the long run,” Luwy said.
One more objective in the roadmap entails a scale-down on petrol use by introducing electric vehicles (EVs). These carriers, which will handle harvest transportation and distribution, have been tested at multiple parts of the plantation.
“We’re still in the very first stages of transitioning from conventional to electric, [so] we hope this technology evolves with time and helps us realize our goal to swap most of our heavy duty fleet, especially [diesel] trucks, for EVs.”
In the palm oil sector, zero carbon efforts are more collective and transformative, like fossil-to-renewable conversion or oil palm waste recycling into organic fertilizers. These actions bring down the amount of non-degradable scraps and deliver significant environmental and economic benefits. (*)
Source: sawitindonesia.com
