JAKARTA – The ministry of environment (KLH) is drafting a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in Indonesia, including from methane produced in the palm oil industries.

“We’ve seen a good practice of liquid waste treatment, including the use of methane for power generation,” Environment Minister Hanif Faisol said in a press statement on Wednesday (27/11/2024).

Minister Hanif underlined the urgency of accelerating the methane treatment to lift the reputation of Indonesia in mitigating the impacts of global climate change. For such purpose, he had made a visit to the waste treatment conducted by PT Musim Mas in Pelalawan regency, Riau province.

“The government is drafting a regulation. It could be a ministerial regulation or decree of environmental control agency (BPLH) for application of the technology in all palm oil industries,” he said.

According to him, there has been a significant potential of methane emission from Indonesian palm oil industries. “Based on a study, the production of CPO in Indonesia can produce around 900,000 tons of methane per year. If converted to carbon dioxide emission, it is equivalent to 35 million tons of CO2,” he said.

“We’re pursuing discussions with many groups of people, including with global partners to accelerate the implementation of methane capture technology. This step will provide an incentive related to carbon credit , which is very important in developing a system of carbon climate,” he said.

The captured methane is used for power generation to support the operation of plantations. One facility of methane capture with power generation capacity of 1.0 megawatt can provide electricity for 1,600 houses in villages. (*) Source: sawitkita.id