"We hope that in the not too distant future, a ministerial regulation or temporary decision of the Head of the Environmental Control Agency will regulate the limited management of POME (Palm Oil Mill Effluent) into methane capture," Environment Minister Hanif Faisol said during a working visit to Pelalawan Regency, Riau, Saturday (Nov 23).
Referring to the good practices carried out by the palm oil industry which utilizes methane from palm oil waste for energy, he mentioned the major impact of this waste reduction efforts.
According to the Deputy for Pollution Control and Environmental Damage data, palm oil industry that spread in 18 million hectares of land in Indonesia can produce 36 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Meanwhile, he acknowledged that there are differences in the ability of palm oil industry players to utilize methane from palm oil industry waste. For that reason, each layer of utilization will be prepared in the regulation to support its acceleration.
The Environment Ministry will also study good practices from other companies that have utilized methane, to get a complete picture in preparing a roadmap for methane utilization.
"We are currently compiling this together, hopefully we will be able to quickly compile the roadmap and then monitor its implementation," Faisol noted.
On that occasion, he also stated that the Environment Ministry as the guardian of climate change issues, will strive to build a carbon trading climate including the utilization of methane.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Arie Novarina
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