Renewable energy for environmental protection: Life cycle inventory of Nigeria's palm oil production

Abstract

Energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will increase significantly in the developing world. Scaling up bioenergy use and reducing GHG emissions is vital to achieving the Nationally Determined Contributions and advance the greener economy. This study investigated three types of palm oil processors to support technology advancement and renewable energy transition in the African oil palm industry. We compiled gate-to-gate life cycle inventories of large-scale, semi-mechanized, and smallholder processors of oil palm fresh fruit bunch in Nigeria. The inventory includes materials and energy inputs to the systems and outputs and emissions to the environment. The inputs are diesel, water, electricity, empty fruit bunch, palm kernel shell and mesocarp fibre for a functional unit of one tonne of fresh fruit bunch, while the outputs are crude palm oil, palm kernel, and all emissions to air and soil. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and dinitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions were 47% and 73% more in smallholder mills than in large-scale mills. Semi-mechanized mills produced 73% more N2O than large-scale mills. In contrast, large-scale mills emit 71% more methane (CH4) than smallholder and semi-mechanized mills. The study reveals critical hot spots of GHG emissions from different processors of Nigeria's oil palm industry. These findings will contribute to supporting policymaking, developing technology, and promoting bioenergy use within and outside the industry as an essential strategy for mitigating climate change.