Integrated mitigation strategy model for carbon accounting and sustainability index to encounter palm oil mill weaknesses holistically

Abstract

Palm oil industry has received criticism from various parties on the issue of sustainability and greenhouse gases. Effective mitigation plan is needed to improve the process performance and to counter criticsm towards palm oil mill. However, the current framework has limitation to consider sustainability as a whole and may resulting inaccurate selection of further mitigation. This study aims to develop mitigation strategy model based on palm oil mill carbon accounting (POMCFA) and sustainability (POMSI) performances. A result from integrated palm oil mill carbon footprint accounting (POMCFA) and palm oil mill sustainability index (POMSI) framework has been used for the model development in this study. This model is able to predict the best selection to improve the weak performance, forecast new score of palm oil mill carbon accounting (POMCFA) and sustainability (POMSI). A series of mitigation options are selected which impacted any changes to the indicators (in terms of environment and economy aspect). The model is developed and computed using the General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS). The analysis from integrated assessment shows that highest carbon dioxide equivalent emission was contributed by palm oil mill effluent followed by diesel consumption and water consumption. In terms of sustainability scoring, the results show that the environmental aspect achieved the lowest scores compared to other aspects (social and economy). Weaknesses identified include dust concentration, palm oil mill effluent and boiler emission. The mitigation model been developed shows the optimal mitigation for the weaknesses is to implement high technology boiler. The assessment analysed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent and sustainability scoring demonstrates its potential to provide comprehensive mitigation selection purposes.