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An Evaluation of Holistic Sustainability Assessment Framework for Palm Oil Production in Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Chye Ing Lim

    (Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Miri 98009, Sarawak, Malaysia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Wahidul Biswas

    (Sustainable Engineering Group, Curtin University, Perth WA 6845, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Palm oil based biodiesel offers an alternative energy source that can reduce current dependence on conventional fossil fuels and may reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions depending on the type of feedstock and processes used. In the Malaysian context, the palm oil industry not only provides high-yield, renewable feedstock to the world, it brings socio-economic development to the Malaysian rural community and contributes to the national income. However, the sustainability of palm oil remains controversial, due to deforestation, pollution and social conflicts associated with its production. Sustainability assessment is vital for the palm oil industry to identify weaknesses, improve its sustainability performance and improve consumer confidence. This paper proposes a holistic sustainability assessment framework for palm oil production with the aim to address the weaknesses of existing palm oil sustainability assessment methods. It identifies environmental, social and economic Headline Performance Indicators, Key Performance Indicators and their Performance Measures in crude palm oil production in a structured framework. Each quantitative/semi-quantitative performance measure is translated into Likert Scale of 1–5, where 3 is the threshold value, 5 is the ideal condition, and 1 is the worst case scenario. Calculation methods were established for the framework to provide quantitative assessment results. The framework was tested using a hypothetical example with data from existing studies. The results suggest that crude palm oil production in Malaysia is below the sustainability threshold. Evaluations of this sustainability assessment framework also demonstrate that it is a comprehensive assessment method for assessing sustainability of feedstock for biofuel production.

Suggested Citation

  • Chye Ing Lim & Wahidul Biswas, 2015. "An Evaluation of Holistic Sustainability Assessment Framework for Palm Oil Production in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-27, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:12:p:15833-16587:d:60691
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yésica Gomez‐Jaramillo & Lina Berrouet & Clara Villegas‐Palacio & Linda Berrio‐Giraldo, 2024. "Conceptual framework for analyzing the sustainability of socio‐ecological systems with a focus on ecosystem services that support water security," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 2298-2313, June.
    2. Najmul Hoque & Wahidul Biswas & Ilyas Mazhar & Ian Howard, 2020. "Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Alternative Energy Sources for the Western Australian Transport Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-33, July.
    3. Ahmed Zainul Abideen & Veera Pandiyan Kaliani Sundram & Shahryar Sorooshian, 2023. "Scope for Sustainable Development of Small Holder Farmers in the Palm Oil Supply Chain—A Systematic Literature Review and Thematic Scientific Mapping," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Chye Ing Lim & Wahidul K. Biswas, 2019. "Sustainability Implications of the Incorporation of a Biogas Trapping System into a Conventional Crude Palm Oil Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Shu Yu & Yongtong Mu, 2022. "Sustainable Agricultural Development Assessment: A Comprehensive Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Brinkman, Marnix L.J. & Wicke, Birka & Faaij, André P.C. & van der Hilst, Floor, 2019. "Projecting socio-economic impacts of bioenergy: Current status and limitations of ex-ante quantification methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    7. Xinxin Zhou & Guanghua Cheng & Bangbang Zhang, 2025. "Does Farmland Transfer Promote Digital Agriculture?—Based on Panel Data from 30 Provinces in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, February.

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