The potential of palm bioenergy in achieving Malaysia's renewable energy target and climate ambition in line with the Paris Agreement

Abstract

Fossil fuel emissions are major contributors to global warming and thus, a primary cause of climate emergency. Many countries ratified the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels with renewables. Malaysia is the second-largest global palm oil producer, and the industry produces large amounts of first-and-second-generation feedstocks that can be used for renewable energy production, but they remain largely untapped. This research evaluated the availability of palm bioenergy in Malaysia and developed a model energy mix that can address Malaysia's targets in line with the Paris Agreement. We found that the annual palm bioenergy potential of 63.5 million tonnes-of-oil-equivalent could theoretically fulfil 64 % of Malaysia's primary energy supply. Approximately 31.7 million tonnes-of-oil-equivalent can be unlocked through our model mix by maximizing the usage of palm-based second-generation feedstocks. These include palm biomass, liquid wastes and by-products that can be used to produce a variety of biofuels, such as biodiesel, biogas and pyrolysis products. As a result, Malaysia can potentially push the renewable energy share in its primary mix to 38 %. This would translate to a reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity of up to 57 % (based on 2005 levels). Our analysis not only shows that the palm oil industry could play a significant role in Malaysia's decarbonization goal, but it also serves as a basis for the development of a decarbonization framework for other palm oil producing nations around the world. Nevertheless, in moving forward, policy changes, funding and incentives, as well as technological advancement are indeed required to realize this aspiration.