InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - The discussion surrounding carbon emissions is becoming increasingly relevant and cannot be separated from conversations about the future of the Earth. As Pratama (2019) pointed out, carbon emissions are closely linked to the greenhouse effect. Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor absorb heat from the sun reflected by the Earth's surface, causing global temperatures to rise slowly but surely.
As the world's largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia plays a strategic role in controlling global carbon emissions. However, the question remains: can palm oil plantations truly be a solution for carbon absorption, or are they part of the problem?
Data from the National Superior Plantation Statistics 2020–2022 offers hope. With an area of 14.38 million hectares and the ability to absorb approximately 64.5 tons of CO₂ per hectare, the potential carbon absorption by Indonesian palm oil plantations in 2022 is estimated to reach 927.5 million tons of CO₂. Interestingly, carbon emission graphs in the morning and afternoon also show a downward trend alongside the growth of oil palm plants—a positive ecological signal.
However, it is important to note that the potential for increased emissions still exists. According to data from the Directorate General of Climate Change Control at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, around 94 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia come from carbon dioxide, most of which is stored in the soil. Forest management activities and land conversion into plantations can trigger massive carbon releases if not managed wisely.
This is the challenge that two global palm oil giants, SD Guthrie and Sinar Mas Agribusiness & Food, are now trying to address. SD Guthrie has launched an ambitious framework called Beyond Zero, an initiative aimed not only at reducing negative environmental impacts but also at promoting the positive social and ecological impacts that the palm oil industry can provide.
Meanwhile, Sinar Mas Agribusiness & Food has taken concrete steps by comprehensively measuring their carbon footprint over the past two years. They have set 2022 as the baseline year to map emissions across three main categories: Scope 1, 2, and 3. This approach is designed to align with the global Science Based Targets initiative, which serves as a standard for sustainable emissions.
So, how are these two companies implementing their carbon emission reduction strategies? What concrete steps are they taking on the ground? Find the answers in the Focus section of the June 2025 edition.
Additionally, we will address the hot topic surrounding the new European Union regulation: the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates transparency in the supply chain of commodities. The Indonesian government is responding to this challenge by building a National Dashboard as a monitoring and reporting tool expected to meet global standards. More details can be found in the Teropong section of the June 2025 edition. (T2)
