It’s has been recognized that current world palm oil are coming from Indonesia and Malaysia for about 90%. Two countries also manage tropical forest at large scale and experiencing huge deforestation for the sake of development, years ago.
And we also read that the doubt is coming from US, presented by EPA report last month. The US authorities argued that fuels derived from the palm oil were not as environmentally friendly as initially believed.
How the EPA explained on palm biodiesel isn’t environmental friendly?
The EPA notice that palm oil-derived biofuels such as biodiesel and renewable diesel fell short of its threshold for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings of 20 percent compared to regular diesel. Biodiesel was found to cut GHG emissions by just 17 percent of the life cycle of its production and combustion, while renewable biodiesel rated 11 percent.
Citing the JakartaGlobe, that highlighted two ways in which the palm oil production process was contributing to GHG emissions.
“For example, palm oil production produces wastewater effluent that eventually decomposes, creating methane, a GHG with a high global warming potential,” it said. Another key factor is the expected expansion of palm plantations onto land with carbon-rich peat soils which would lead to significant releases of GHGs to the atmosphere.
At some extend the EPA report seem reasonable. However, I see the report is to fast to make a conclusion. EPA should generate report based on credible research in the relevant and representative location in Indonesia. As far I know, there are oil palm plantation that developed froum grass land, not from forest lands.
Read the full article of palm biodiesel from Indonesia here